Fao Chris Or Other Techys

[Bobbisox1]

I am wanting to do a factory reset on my desktop computer to clear out all the carp, if my photos for example are on the Cloud, will they be still there after doing a FR ?

[teacake44]

Sounds a bit fishy to me. ho ho ho and ho

[Bobbisox1]

there's stuff on it I would rather not be reminded of Ho, bliddy ho,

[The Builder]

Unlike phones and tablets, Bobbi, it's unusual to perform a complete FR on a desktop PC.

You could wipe the whole Hard Drive, but that could be messy, and would certainly lose all data.

Is it mainly installed programs that you want to clear out?

[teacake44]

Yes , you don't think at the time when your young, having these photo shoots. ;0)

[Bobbisox1]

Haha TC, if only it’s more screenshots etc
Yes it’s just a refresh really Builder, it’s getting a bit sluggish

[teacake44]

Katie Price has to call in the bomb squad to do hers, haha ho ho

[teacake44]

Go into programs, and click on uninstall, and all the trash will come up, I think?

[Bobbisox1]

I might have to blow them up too, oh what fun I’d have then hohoho

[bhg481]

You do, of course, have a back-up of all your important data, don't you? If not, now's the time to buy an external disc/ memory stck and start making regular back-ups.

[The Builder]

Ok, download and install Ccleaner (previously named CrapCleaner).

Just be careful to go for the free one. Very easy to install.
It has a facility for uninstalling any software you don't need any more.
Also, most importantly, it has a "Registry" cleaner.
You can also fillet your "Start-up" procedure. That's where a lot of sluggishness comes from.

Best of all, do a full "Analyse", and tell it to clear out any accumulated rubbish.

Your data would be safe.

[Bobbisox1]

I’m a bit sceptical whether my photos will survive, as for the screen shots, they can be flushed doon the bog, ho bliddy ho

[Bobbisox1]

Wow thanks builder, I already have AVS registry cleaner on, would that help ?

[Bobbisox1]

I have a memory stick bhg but I’m always a bit stuck as how to do a back up, I end up with the programme icons and nothing in them, help!

[Togo]

Easiest thing to do is go into settings. Go into update and security, Choose reset pc. You have options there to save personal files or to delete them. I would also look at your apps list and delete or uninstall all the ones that you do not use. I would also clear the cache and search history and empty the recycle bin. If you are running bolt on "security" programmes get rid of them, they will be running in the background and are a massive resources drain.

[The Builder]

Best not to involve too many clean-up applications, Bobb.
If you go for it, let Ccleaner do the lot.

You can always Google it for reviews and comments. It's been around for years. I run the "analyse" function every now and then just to keep everything reasonably clean.

[teacake44]

I would forget it, and just clean the oven ready for Wednesday morning

[Bobbisox1]

^^^ you are a breathe of fresh air lol

Thanks all, I’ll install free Cc cleaner now

[The Builder]

Come back and let us know how it goes.

[Bobbisox1]

I certainly will, many thanks

[Buenchico]

The whole point of cloud storage is that it protects your data if something happens to your computer, so your photos definitely won't vanish.

However I'd be wary of attempting a full factory reset, largely as there's no universal definition of exactly what a factory reset actually is. Some so-called 'resets' simply clean up a few things, whereas others can leave you needing to reinstall Windows and/or lots of drivers.

CCleaner is worth a try but take care when using it, as ticking a wrong box can result in you losing important data.