One of the results of the recession has been an increasing number of Windows XP users foregoing upgrades and making do with the current technology. This Reimage review shows how PC maintenance software and scheduled maintenance can help keep XP working fine, long past its best before date.

Even before the recession dug in there were many XP users reticent to upgrade to Vista after its poor reviews. As the years have gone by though it is only natural for a computer to build up more faults as more applications are installed/removed and more work is done on the computer. Keeping the system stable is a two pronged approach requiring regular maintenance and effective repairs.

Maintenance tasks are relatively straight forward practices that even the most non-technical of us can do.
-    Run Windows Update to stay current with patches.
-    Update anti-virus definitions and run anti-virus scans.
-    Back up data regularly, including the registry file.
-    Remove old unused applications via the control panel.
-    Maintain at least 10% free disk space (use a free tool like CCleaner for clearing out cached/temporary files).
-    Defragment all drives on a monthly basis.

Repairing faults can be trickier. Most people should attempt to remedy faults for themselves using timely advice online (preferably from reputable sites such as Microsoft).  For tougher problems (e.g. blue screen exceptions, corrupted registry, etc.) then it is time to turn to PC maintenance software such as Reimage.

After reading in a Reimage review that it could optimize PCs I originally ran it on an old XP laptop (the software is designed specifically for XP). Running from within a browser, the application first scans for faults to the registry (missing/corrupted/poorly set keys) by comparing it with their online database of healthy configurations.

Next the file system is checked (DLLs, 3rd party software, OS, device drivers, etc.) for any faults, out-of-date files, missing files and virus damage. Replacement files are sourced from their inventory of over 20 million XP system & application files. All in all, the scan and repair takes under half an hour.

Eventually software houses (including Microsoft) will start pulling their support of XP. In the meantime it should still be possible through regular computer maintenance and repairs it should still be possible for XP computer to still function effectively.