During XP era used TFC by OldTimer - accurate, effective and fast
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Computer type
- laptop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Various
OLD Software That You've Used In The Past
- Thread starter Stigg
- Start date
Still have that 
A Guy
A Guy
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 10 Home x64
- Computer type
- pc_desktop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Custom
- CPU
- INTEL Core i5-11400
- Motherboard
- ASUS PRIME H570-PLUS
- Memory
- KINGSTON HyperX Fury Black DDR4 16GB (2 x 8GB) 3200MHz, CL16
- Graphics card(s)
- EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Superclocked 1GB 128-Bit GDDR5
- Monitor(s) Displays
- LG 32MA68HY 32" IPS
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Hard Drives
- SAMSUNG 250GB 970 EVO Plus NVMe, M.2 SSD, Crucial 250GB MX500, SEAGATE 500GB Barracuda® 7200.12, SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 16MB cache
- PSU
- CORSAIR RM550x 80 PLUS Gold 550W
- Case
- ANTEC P10 FLUX
- Cooling
- be quiet! Pure Rock 2, 5 x 120 mm Case Fans
- Internet Speed
- 480 + Mbps Up/ 12+ Mbps Down
- Browser
- Vivaldi Snapshot
- Antivirus
- Avast
Have you ever used TFC on W8 & above, especially W11?
All the present day browsers have settings to delete cookies, websites data files... on exit and closing browsers!
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Computer type
- laptop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Various
I've used it on 10 which is what I use. I haven't run it in years though
A Guy
A Guy
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 10 Home x64
- Computer type
- pc_desktop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Custom
- CPU
- INTEL Core i5-11400
- Motherboard
- ASUS PRIME H570-PLUS
- Memory
- KINGSTON HyperX Fury Black DDR4 16GB (2 x 8GB) 3200MHz, CL16
- Graphics card(s)
- EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Superclocked 1GB 128-Bit GDDR5
- Monitor(s) Displays
- LG 32MA68HY 32" IPS
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Hard Drives
- SAMSUNG 250GB 970 EVO Plus NVMe, M.2 SSD, Crucial 250GB MX500, SEAGATE 500GB Barracuda® 7200.12, SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 16MB cache
- PSU
- CORSAIR RM550x 80 PLUS Gold 550W
- Case
- ANTEC P10 FLUX
- Cooling
- be quiet! Pure Rock 2, 5 x 120 mm Case Fans
- Internet Speed
- 480 + Mbps Up/ 12+ Mbps Down
- Browser
- Vivaldi Snapshot
- Antivirus
- Avast
The last I used was on W7I've used it on 10 which is what I use. I haven't run it in years though
A Guy
I'm afraid to use on W11 24H2
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Computer type
- laptop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Various
HijackThis
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11 Pro
- Computer type
- pc_desktop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Stigg's Build
- CPU
- Intel Core i9-10900X
- Motherboard
- GIGABYTE X299X DESIGNARE 10G
- Memory
- Corsair 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) CMW64GX4M4C3000C15 Vengeance RGB Pro 3000Mhz DDR4
- Graphics card(s)
- GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Super Mini ITX 6 GB OC
- Sound Card
- Realtek ALC1220
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Samsung 27" FHD LED FreeSync Gaming Monitor (LS27F350FHEXXY)
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Hard Drives
- Samsung 970 Pro Series 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
- PSU
- Corsair HX1200 1200W 80 Plus Platinum
- Case
- Fractal Design Define 7 Black Solid Case
- Cooling
- Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black
- Mouse
- Razer DeathAdder Essential
- Keyboard
- Razer Ornata V2
- Internet Speed
- FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
- Browser
- Mozilla Firefox
- Antivirus
- N/A
- Other Info
- Logitech BRIO 4k Ultra HD USB-C Webcam
That was used for removing malware/virus in early 20's by all of the reputable forums, like BleepingComputer, Geeks To Go, MRU, MBAM...
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Computer type
- laptop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Various
In the past 40+ years, I've at least tested every piece of packaged software that was supposed to Clean my PC.
None were 100% effective and one in particular totally disabled my PC, making me do a Ghost Restore to get my PC back.
So I went through my Windows HD, and I found every nook and cranny where Windows likes to hide its CRAP. I put every one of those locations into one Batch File, so every one can be cleaned out. The only thing I don't even attempt, is to remove BAD entries in my Registry. I use WinUtilities for that.
And Super Anti Spyware for the removal of "Tracking Cookies".
So between those three programs, I get my PC PDC (pretty darn clean).
I also manually remove all browser histories, during a cleanup sequence, like before I do a Ghost Backup.
I try to NOT backup any Garbage.
So, don't rely on Packaged Software to clean up your PC!!! I pity the fool, that does! (Mr. T )
TM
None were 100% effective and one in particular totally disabled my PC, making me do a Ghost Restore to get my PC back.
So I went through my Windows HD, and I found every nook and cranny where Windows likes to hide its CRAP. I put every one of those locations into one Batch File, so every one can be cleaned out. The only thing I don't even attempt, is to remove BAD entries in my Registry. I use WinUtilities for that.
And Super Anti Spyware for the removal of "Tracking Cookies".
So between those three programs, I get my PC PDC (pretty darn clean).
I also manually remove all browser histories, during a cleanup sequence, like before I do a Ghost Backup.
I try to NOT backup any Garbage.
So, don't rely on Packaged Software to clean up your PC!!! I pity the fool, that does! (Mr. T )
TM
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11/Pro/64
All the very best to you too, TechnoMageSG1.In the past 40+ years, I've at least tested every piece of packaged software that was supposed to Clean my PC.
None were 100% effective and one in particular totally disabled my PC, making me do a Ghost Restore to get my PC back.
So I went through my Windows HD, and I found every nook and cranny where Windows likes to hide its CRAP. I put every one of those locations into one Batch File, so every one can be cleaned out. The only thing I don't even attempt, is to remove BAD entries in my Registry. I use WinUtilities for that.
And Super Anti Spyware for the removal of "Tracking Cookies".
So between those three programs, I get my PC PDC (pretty darn clean).
I also manually remove all browser histories, during a cleanup sequence, like before I do a Ghost Backup.
I try to NOT backup any Garbage.
So, don't rely on Packaged Software to clean up your PC!!! I pity the fool, that does! (Mr. T )
TM
View attachment 377
Have a happy Christmas.
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11 Pro
- Computer type
- pc_desktop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Stigg's Build
- CPU
- Intel Core i9-10900X
- Motherboard
- GIGABYTE X299X DESIGNARE 10G
- Memory
- Corsair 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) CMW64GX4M4C3000C15 Vengeance RGB Pro 3000Mhz DDR4
- Graphics card(s)
- GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Super Mini ITX 6 GB OC
- Sound Card
- Realtek ALC1220
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Samsung 27" FHD LED FreeSync Gaming Monitor (LS27F350FHEXXY)
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Hard Drives
- Samsung 970 Pro Series 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
- PSU
- Corsair HX1200 1200W 80 Plus Platinum
- Case
- Fractal Design Define 7 Black Solid Case
- Cooling
- Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black
- Mouse
- Razer DeathAdder Essential
- Keyboard
- Razer Ornata V2
- Internet Speed
- FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
- Browser
- Mozilla Firefox
- Antivirus
- N/A
- Other Info
- Logitech BRIO 4k Ultra HD USB-C Webcam
Thank you sir!
One more really GREAT program that I used, years ago, was "Easy Cleaner" from Toni Arts.
I don't remember now, but MS made some major changes to its files and registry structure, on one of its new OS's and Easy Cleaner was no longer compatible. Toni decided to just 'Hang it up' rather than re-write his program. Easy Cleaner was never Retail Software, but rather on a Donation basis.
I donated, but I'm sure a lot of people didn't. "Thank you Toni for a great program!"
Then back in 2012, I discovered a graphics program called "Photo Filtre" (yes, it's French) which I called the "Poor Man's Photo Shop".
PhotoFiltre Studio
There is still a FREE version available, or you can BUY the professional version.
I still use the FREE version from 2012. Later versions just got too complicated (like Photo Shop) for me.
And I must not forget "Ghost". It's the easiest and most reliable Backup and Restore software that I've ever seen, since I first discovered it back in 1997.
Symantec bought the program back in 1998 and futzed around with it for several years before finally abandoning it.
They modified the original version, to work with NTFS formatted HD's, and the last DOS version was "Ghost 11.5" which I still use today.
I can boot up my PC and run Ghost from a Floppy Disk, CD, Flash Drive (which I now use) or even a bootable SD Memory Card.
My first rule of doing any HD backup, whether just the C: partition or the entire drive (Clone) is: "Never back up from within Windows!"
For doing a simple Data Backup, like to a Flash Drive or External HD, I just use a Batch file that I wrote. It uses XCOPY, and is set to only backup files that are new or have been changed, so the backups can go very fast.
I love using software that I got for FREE, many years ago, and still works as good today as the day I acquired it.
Merry Christmas, Everyone,
TM
One more really GREAT program that I used, years ago, was "Easy Cleaner" from Toni Arts.
I don't remember now, but MS made some major changes to its files and registry structure, on one of its new OS's and Easy Cleaner was no longer compatible. Toni decided to just 'Hang it up' rather than re-write his program. Easy Cleaner was never Retail Software, but rather on a Donation basis.
I donated, but I'm sure a lot of people didn't. "Thank you Toni for a great program!"
Then back in 2012, I discovered a graphics program called "Photo Filtre" (yes, it's French) which I called the "Poor Man's Photo Shop".
PhotoFiltre Studio
There is still a FREE version available, or you can BUY the professional version.
I still use the FREE version from 2012. Later versions just got too complicated (like Photo Shop) for me.
And I must not forget "Ghost". It's the easiest and most reliable Backup and Restore software that I've ever seen, since I first discovered it back in 1997.
Symantec bought the program back in 1998 and futzed around with it for several years before finally abandoning it.
They modified the original version, to work with NTFS formatted HD's, and the last DOS version was "Ghost 11.5" which I still use today.
I can boot up my PC and run Ghost from a Floppy Disk, CD, Flash Drive (which I now use) or even a bootable SD Memory Card.
My first rule of doing any HD backup, whether just the C: partition or the entire drive (Clone) is: "Never back up from within Windows!"
For doing a simple Data Backup, like to a Flash Drive or External HD, I just use a Batch file that I wrote. It uses XCOPY, and is set to only backup files that are new or have been changed, so the backups can go very fast.
I love using software that I got for FREE, many years ago, and still works as good today as the day I acquired it.
Merry Christmas, Everyone,
TM
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11/Pro/64
If at all possible please share Batch File that you wrote using XCOPYThank you sir!
One more really GREAT program that I used, years ago, was "Easy Cleaner" from Toni Arts.
I don't remember now, but MS made some major changes to its files and registry structure, on one of its new OS's and Easy Cleaner was no longer compatible. Toni decided to just 'Hang it up' rather than re-write his program. Easy Cleaner was never Retail Software, but rather on a Donation basis.
I donated, but I'm sure a lot of people didn't. "Thank you Toni for a great program!"
Then back in 2012, I discovered a graphics program called "Photo Filtre" (yes, it's French) which I called the "Poor Man's Photo Shop".
PhotoFiltre Studio
There is still a FREE version available, or you can BUY the professional version.
I still use the FREE version from 2012. Later versions just got too complicated (like Photo Shop) for me.
And I must not forget "Ghost". It's the easiest and most reliable Backup and Restore software that I've ever seen, since I first discovered it back in 1997.
Symantec bought the program back in 1998 and futzed around with it for several years before finally abandoning it.
They modified the original version, to work with NTFS formatted HD's, and the last DOS version was "Ghost 11.5" which I still use today.
I can boot up my PC and run Ghost from a Floppy Disk, CD, Flash Drive (which I now use) or even a bootable SD Memory Card.
My first rule of doing any HD backup, whether just the C: partition or the entire drive (Clone) is: "Never back up from within Windows!"
For doing a simple Data Backup, like to a Flash Drive or External HD, I just use a Batch file that I wrote. It uses XCOPY, and is set to only backup files that are new or have been changed, so the backups can go very fast.
I love using software that I got for FREE, many years ago, and still works as good today as the day I acquired it.
Merry Christmas, Everyone,
TM
Thanks in advance
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Computer type
- laptop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Various
Well, it's proprietary, of course, but here's a portion of that batch file, as an example:
XCOPY /D /S /C /I /H /R /K /Y /J "D:\My Docs\*.*" "E:\Backup Folders\Documents\"
XCOPY /D /S /C /I /H /R /K /Y /J "D:\My Pictures\*.*" "E:\Backup Folders\My Pictures\"
XCOPY /D /S /C /I /H /R /K /Y /J "D:\Misc\*.*" "E:\Backup Folders\Misc\"
I never store my data files on my C: drive, (partition) but on a separate drive or partition, depending on the PC.
So, in the above example, "D:" is the partition where I store my data files, and "E:" is my 1TB backup hard drive.
"E:" in this example could also be one of several backup Flash Drives that I use, just for safety.
Merry Christmas,
TM
XCOPY /D /S /C /I /H /R /K /Y /J "D:\My Docs\*.*" "E:\Backup Folders\Documents\"
XCOPY /D /S /C /I /H /R /K /Y /J "D:\My Pictures\*.*" "E:\Backup Folders\My Pictures\"
XCOPY /D /S /C /I /H /R /K /Y /J "D:\Misc\*.*" "E:\Backup Folders\Misc\"
I never store my data files on my C: drive, (partition) but on a separate drive or partition, depending on the PC.
So, in the above example, "D:" is the partition where I store my data files, and "E:" is my 1TB backup hard drive.
"E:" in this example could also be one of several backup Flash Drives that I use, just for safety.
Merry Christmas,
TM
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11/Pro/64
Thanks for hintingWell, it's proprietary, of course, but here's a portion of that batch file, as an example:
XCOPY /D /S /C /I /H /R /K /Y /J "D:\My Docs\*.*" "E:\Backup Folders\Documents\"
XCOPY /D /S /C /I /H /R /K /Y /J "D:\My Pictures\*.*" "E:\Backup Folders\My Pictures\"
XCOPY /D /S /C /I /H /R /K /Y /J "D:\Misc\*.*" "E:\Backup Folders\Misc\"
I never store my data files on my C: drive, (partition) but on a separate drive or partition, depending on the PC.
So, in the above example, "D:" is the partition where I store my data files, and "E:" is my 1TB backup hard drive.
"E:" in this example could also be one of several backup Flash Drives that I use, just for safety.
Merry Christmas,
TM
I too have a separate DATA partition + portable drives for back
Thanks again
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Computer type
- laptop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Various
My personal favorite saying is: "The only bad backup, is the one you decided NOT to make".
Merry Christmas,
TechnoMage
Merry Christmas,
TechnoMage
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11/Pro/64
Today's tech tip.
On any of your Windows PC's, open up Task Manager and see what's running.
If you see "Ctfloader" or something like that, then you have 'Ctfmon.exe' running in the background on your PC, without your permission, and doing nothing to benefit you.
Well for years I ran a little program called "Ctfmon Remover", and it Worked!
But with the newer versions of Windows, that program does Nothing. I still want it, (Ctfmon.exe) GONE!
So, finally I've developed my own solution to getting rid of that little Bugger. Here goes.....
On my Utils Disk, there is a program called "Grant Admin full Control".
I install that, first thing, on every Windows Install. It allows me to take control of any file on the PC, from the right click context menu.
I call it "Take Ownership" on Steroids!
So, to get rid of 'Ctfmon.exe' I first locate it"
C:\Windows\System32\Ctfmon.exe
Then I right click on it and 'Grant Admin Full Control'.
After that I rename the program by just adding one letter to the name of the program, i.e. "Ctfmonx.exe"
Or, even change the .exe extension to something inert, like .ddd
Then I reboot the PC, and again look at Task Manager, to make sure that Ctfmon.exe is NOT running. If not, I go back into System32, locate Ctfmonx.exe (or whatever I changed it to) and DELETE it.
By this time, It's no longer a protected program, and deletes easily.
I've repeated this process several times now, on different Windows, and it's worked every time.
I will be happy indeed, if you try this and find that it works for you too.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
TM
On any of your Windows PC's, open up Task Manager and see what's running.
If you see "Ctfloader" or something like that, then you have 'Ctfmon.exe' running in the background on your PC, without your permission, and doing nothing to benefit you.
Well for years I ran a little program called "Ctfmon Remover", and it Worked!
But with the newer versions of Windows, that program does Nothing. I still want it, (Ctfmon.exe) GONE!
So, finally I've developed my own solution to getting rid of that little Bugger. Here goes.....
On my Utils Disk, there is a program called "Grant Admin full Control".
I install that, first thing, on every Windows Install. It allows me to take control of any file on the PC, from the right click context menu.
I call it "Take Ownership" on Steroids!
So, to get rid of 'Ctfmon.exe' I first locate it"
C:\Windows\System32\Ctfmon.exe
Then I right click on it and 'Grant Admin Full Control'.
After that I rename the program by just adding one letter to the name of the program, i.e. "Ctfmonx.exe"
Or, even change the .exe extension to something inert, like .ddd
Then I reboot the PC, and again look at Task Manager, to make sure that Ctfmon.exe is NOT running. If not, I go back into System32, locate Ctfmonx.exe (or whatever I changed it to) and DELETE it.
By this time, It's no longer a protected program, and deletes easily.
I've repeated this process several times now, on different Windows, and it's worked every time.
I will be happy indeed, if you try this and find that it works for you too.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
TM
Last edited:
My Computer
System One
-
- Operating System
- Windows 11/Pro/64