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I have the following programs:
Avast anti-virus
Advanced system care
CC Cleaner
Spybot
Win Utilities
Which would be best to keep?
Discussion is locked
CCCleaner is good as long as you don't try to clean the registry. Spybot is OK. I'm not familiar with the other two, but I can tell you that anything that claims to "clean" the registry is snake oil, isn't needed, doesn't help, and can cause problems.
Good luck.
Win Utilities does not appear to be security related and looks like it duplicates what Windows already has. CC Cleaner in it's stock settings is nice but I don't see the security angle.
On my personal laptop I switched to the free Avast when another freebie killed the Windows 7 snipping tool and so far, so good.
For non-realtime security scans I use Grif's advice at link.
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-6132_102-5098912.html?tag=posts;msg5099421
Bob
Avast anti-virus ----------> keep
Advanced system care --> toss
CC Cleaner -----------------> keep
Spybot -----------------------> toss
Win Utilities -----------------> toss
Redundant, only if they actually run in the backgrd. all the time, otherwise its a manual start of the pgm.. Next, unless you're happy with some function of a pgm., very happy then get rid of the ones pointed out. CCleaner has provided decent service even in registry mode, provided you use the installed defaults(don't fiddle) as is. Now, much of what is provided can be gotten through "protection suite" like Norton 360 or similar, in other words it does more than AV protection it includes various pgms. from one vendor to do the job. if you use freebies, then expect a less than capbale at times pgm. as they're not always up-to-date like Spybot. Just my 2-cents...
tada -----Willy 
The last one I downloaded was advance system , I also have Glary utilities
Sorry but these forums have folk asking how to recover their systems after cleaning. Toss it out.
Bob
I tossed all except Avast? The others had good reviews but not needed
thank s
maudy
I pretty much agree with what most have said. Willy is right (IMOP) regarding R/T protection, some of the freebies are limited in that regard and is one of the reasons some opt to pay for A/V suites such as Norton 360 and others, better real time functionality and other features. Spybot (free version) is pretty much of a wheel spinner, unless you buy the paid version, even that I will pass on. The others he listed are pretty much acceptable, again IMOP.
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