Windows system information tools play a vital role in helping users monitor and maintain their computers. However, over time, these tools and the data they accumulate can contribute to clutter, slow performance, or inaccurate readings. Cleaning and optimizing system information tools ensures you get the most accurate results while keeping your system running smoothly. This article provides expert recommendations and step-by-step advice tailored for both beginners and advanced users, focusing on practical, real-world examples.
Why Should You Clean Windows System Information Tools?
System information tools gather and display details about your hardware, software, drivers, network configurations, and more. Over time, outdated logs, cache files, and old diagnostic reports can hinder their accuracy and slow down your system. Cleaning these tools helps to:
– Ensure up-to-date information is displayed
– Prevent potential system slowdowns
– Make troubleshooting and system audits more effective
Which Tools Are We Talking About?
Some commonly used Windows system information tools include:
– Windows built-in tools: System Information (msinfo32), Device Manager, Event Viewer, and Disk Cleanup
– Third-party solutions: Glary Utilities, CPU-Z, HWMonitor, Speccy, and others
Beginner Section: Simple Steps for Cleaning System Information Tools
If you’re new to Windows maintenance, these basic steps will help you keep your system tools clean and effective.
1. Use Disk Cleanup to Remove Temporary Files
– Press the Windows key and type “Disk Cleanup”.
– Select your main drive (usually C:) and click OK.
– Check “System created Windows Error Reporting” and “Temporary files”.
– Click OK, then Delete Files.
2. Clear Event Viewer Logs
– Press Windows key + R, type “eventvwr.msc”, and press Enter.
– In the left panel, expand Windows Logs.
– Right-click Application, select “Clear Log”, and confirm.
– Repeat for Security, Setup, and System logs.
Clearing these logs removes outdated data that system tools may reference.
3. Update System Information Snapshots
Tools like msinfo32 keep data caches. To refresh:
– Press Windows key + R, type “msinfo32”, and press Enter.
– Press F5 to refresh the data for the most current snapshot.
4. Use Glary Utilities for One-Click Maintenance
Glary Utilities is user-friendly and ideal for beginners:
– Download and install Glary Utilities.
– Open the program and use the “1-Click Maintenance” feature.
– Ensure “Tracks Eraser” and “Temporary Files Cleaner” are checked.
– Click “Scan for Issues” and then “Repair Problems”.
This quickly removes leftover files and outdated logs system tools might reference.
Advanced Section: Deeper Cleaning and Customization
Experienced users can take system tool cleanup a step further.
1. Manually Remove Old System Information Files
Some third-party tools dump logs or reports into folders:
– Navigate to C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Temp and C:\Windows\Temp.
– Delete outdated .txt, .log, and .dmp files generated by diagnostic tools.
2. Use Advanced Modules in Glary Utilities
Glary Utilities offers specialized cleaning:
– Open Glary Utilities and go to the “Advanced Tools” tab.
– Use “Registry Cleaner” to remove orphaned registry entries left by uninstalled tools.
– Use “Disk Cleaner” for a deeper scan beyond standard temporary files.
– Schedule regular cleanups for ongoing maintenance.
3. Check and Purge Device Manager Hidden Devices
Device Manager may retain references to old devices:
– Press Windows key + X, select Device Manager.
– Click View > Show hidden devices.
– Right-click and uninstall any grayed-out or unused devices.
4. Audit Autostart Entries
Unnecessary startup items related to monitoring tools can slow boot times:
– Use Glary Utilities’ “Startup Manager” to review and disable unnecessary entries.
– Alternatively, press Windows key + R, type “msconfig”, select the Startup tab, and manage your entries.
5. Refresh System Environment Variables
Sometimes, leftover variables from removed tools linger:
– Right-click ‘This PC’ > Properties > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables.
– Review and remove variables linked to old monitoring tools (advanced users only).
Real-World Example
Suppose you used several hardware monitoring tools for troubleshooting but have resolved the issue. Their logs, temporary files, and registry entries might still be present. Running Glary Utilities’ registry and disk cleaning modules, followed by manual removal of leftover files from Temp folders, ensures a clean environment. You also reduce the risk of false positives or outdated reports from system tools.
Conclusion
Regularly cleaning your Windows system information tools is crucial for accurate data and optimal performance. Beginners benefit from built-in options and Glary Utilities’ one-click features, while advanced users can dive deeper with manual file management and registry cleaning. By following these expert recommendations, you ensure your system tools are always ready and reliable for diagnostics or troubleshooting.