This is what I do on a regular basis to keep my system running good. This is just for optimization and smoothness.

Clean my "junk" out with CCleaner available here http://www.ccleaner.com/download
Run IOBit Smart De-frag with deep defrag available here http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html

I also run XP and 7 and run a memory manager called Free Ram Pro XP available here http://download.cnet.com/FreeRAM-XP-Pro/3000-2086_4-10070530.html

I check for video and audio updates about once a month and keep up to date on those.

Hope this helps some.

Thanks CappR. I have liked the CCleaner for many years and do the defrag quite often. I also trust tune-up to do a registry cleaner and to optomize the internet and system settings, etc. It has a 30 day free trial. I like Auslogics free degrag program. It is super fast and never seen any problems from it. thanks for your post.

Love Ccleaner. Wouldn't own a computer without it installed.

I find a simple defrag is one of the most overlooked computer maintenance items that will actually do the most good. Allowing an accumulation of internet and temp files is the second most overlooked and quite frankly, one of the most unknown issues by general users. With the speed of the information highway, I feel no need to cache internet files and therefore, set my browser to delete cache on closing.

I hunt dust bunnies once a month too. Thumb screws on my side case cover, plastic hose for vacuum-cleaner and a can of compressed whoop*** and I am set.