Would it pay to reinstall periodically?

[kduncan5]

Would it pay to uninstall a multiple-updated Pale Moon and reinstall clean periodically? I've noticed some sluggishness in the browser lately, takes 22 to 23 seconds to load the first page, navigation to subsequent websites is not as snappy as it used to be. I clean up junk files about once (sometimes twice) per week, but the sluggishness is noticeable whether the junk files have been cleaned or not. I keep my computer scanned regularly for viruses/malware, it's always clean. Just installed the latest Windows Updates (minus the upgrade to Windows 10 crapola) which didn't help matters...

I was just wondering if uninstalling a Pale Moon which has been updated multiple times and reinstalling clean might help with that?

My computer:
3.4ghz P4 Prescott (3.57ghz)
4gb PC3200 (G.Skill)
160gb WDC SE (PATA)
256mb NVidia GeForce 6600LE AGP
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (tweaked)
Pale Moon 32-bit

Thanks!

[Tomaso]

All software benefits from clean installs.
Personally, I never update any of the software that I use..
I do clean installs only!
Yes, it's much more work, but for me it's worth it.
For the not-so-obsessed, I'd at least recommend to perform clean installs for major updates (e.g. when moving from Pale Moon 25 to 26).

--

EDIT:

How to perform a clean install:

1) Backup your bookmarks, if you need them.
2) Uninstall plugins (Flash, QuickTime or whatever).
3) Uninstall old Pale Moon version.
4) Reboot.
5) Delete these folders, if they exist (or their equivalents on other Windows versions):
C:\Program Files\Pale Moon
C:\Users\*****\AppData\Local\Moonchild Productions\Pale Moon
C:\Users\*****\AppData\Roaming\Moonchild Productions\Pale Moon
6) Delete these reg. keys (if they exist):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Pale Moon
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Pale Moon **.*.*
7) Install new Pale Moon version (use a full installer, NOT the web installer).
8) Start Pale Moon once, then close it (for it to register properly).
9) Reinstall the plugins that you need/want.
10) Reboot.

[x-15a2]

I don't see the point in uninstalling and re-installing the browser because much of the files being removed are static and the active files (user profile, etc.) are left behind, unless specified to be deleted.

To me, if you think that you browser needs to be "cleaned" you should do just that by creating a new user profile, clearing cache and cookies, maybe running SpeedyFox, reviewing add-ons, stuff like that.

Replacing the code won't result in pages loading faster. Optimizing the browsing environment will.

[kduncan5]

Well, that's one Yes and one No so far.

Can a new Profile be created based on my current configuration, how would I do that, and do I delete the old Profile once the new Profile is created?


Edit: In doing a bit of research in unrelated threads I see where others have suggested clean installs. I've also read that corrupted Profiles are rare.

[Tomaso]

Replacing the code won't result in pages loading faster. Optimizing the browsing environment will.

Yeah, theoretically.
But software is complicated stuff..
There are always going to be a few misplaced ones and zeros that you could do better without! :)

[x-15a2]

In doing a bit of research in unrelated threads I see where others have suggested clean installs. I've also read that corrupted Profiles are rare.

Well, a "clean" install would involve removing profiles, etc. Again, it's not the code that will slow you down, it's the environment.

[dark_moon]

A clean Pale Moon profile is enough if you have problems or need a fresh environment.
The pale moon files are the same if you just update pale moon or uninstall it and install the new version. No need for that.

I use pale moon now for years without uninstall it or reinstall windows.

[kduncan5]

If a person creates a new Profile, can he/she (should he/she) delete the old Profile?

[kduncan5]

Just brought up the Profile Manager, switched to the "new" Profile and brough up Pale Moon on this new Profile, and it brought up Pale Moon as if I had never done anything with it, as if I'd just installed it and hadn't customized it yet. So what's the difference between creating a new Profile and just uninstalling/reinstalling Pale Moon fresh? Beyond the extra work, of course. Seems to me uninstalling/reinstalling it would give me a clean installation where creating a new Profile is still just using the old installation.

[eskaton]

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

The executables, dlls, etc are stored under Program Files.

[x-15a2]

Just brought up the Profile Manager, switched to the "new" Profile and brough up Pale Moon on this new Profile, and it brought up Pale Moon as if I had never done anything with it, as if I'd just installed it and hadn't customized it yet.

Exactly, that's what a new profile does. The "customizations" are storied in your profile.

So what's the difference between creating a new Profile and just uninstalling/reinstalling Pale Moon fresh? Beyond the extra work, of course. Seems to me uninstalling/reinstalling it would give me a clean installation where creating a new Profile is still just using the old installation.

A standard uninstall only removes the program and not the profile (unless you tell the uninstaller to remove all data).

As I've said a couple of times, it's not the code (the part that you would be uninstalling) that will slow you down, it's the environment (your profile).

[dark_moon]

If a person creates a new Profile, can he/she (should he/she) delete the old Profile?

If the old profile isn't needed anymore then yes, you can delete it. Otherwise it makes no problems if you didn't delete it.
Its your choice.

[John connor]

Your CPU is dirt old dude!

[sIDcORK]

One other thing, besides backing up anything you don't want to lose, that is well worth doing if you have manually edited anything in about:config is to save an about:support page as a record of all the tweaks you've made. Just be careful not to "Reset Pale Moon to its default state" before you've saved a copy.

[kduncan5]

Your CPU is dirt old dude!

Thanks Captain Obvious!

[kduncan5]

All software benefits from clean installs.

I agree. Even Windows becomes slow after 1½ to 2 years of use, I can feel it. Low-level format and a complete reinstall of Windows and it feels like a new computer all over again. I have no doubt the same can be said for other software applications, especially ones which have been updated regularly by over-writing existing files.

[x-15a2]

...Even Windows becomes slow after 1½ to 2 years of use, I can feel it. Low-level format and a complete reinstall of Windows and it feels like a new computer all over again.

It's not because you formatted and reinstalled Windows, it's because that process cleaned up your operating environment. With the correct use of the proper tools, you can accomplish the same thing without the reinstall. No sure how else to explain this, so I won't.

[Joel Cairo]

What''s really needed is a registry cleaner and RAM defragger. And something by Norton.

[dark_moon]

What''s really needed is a registry cleaner and RAM defragger

Nope!

Registry didn't need any cleaning. Its only a few KB and if you clean it with tools then you have a good chance to have more problems then before cleaning.
And cleaning the registry fragment it, so make it *theoretic* slower (even if you didn't feel any performance - same like if you defrag it, which also makes no sense)

Defrag the RAM is also the same. It makes no difference, but also can make problems. Windows handle the RAM itself, so no need for that tools.

What realy helps is:
# disable services (open windows services from startmenu)
# disable unneeded autostart entrys (use msconfig from win startmenu/ run window - or better: the microsoft tool Autoruns)
# start only the programs you need for the current session and close after using
# shutdown the pc instead of use standby to have a clean RAM
# use a SSD for windows and harddisk heavy programms
# don't use tuning tools. Look above. No tool can boost up the pc 400% again and again

[Joel Cairo]

For the record I consider the 1st two 'snake oil'. The two usually went together with recommendations for 'Norton Utilities/Systemworks/Antivirus'. And 're-installing Windows' every few months. You can't argue with Faith.