Tips on How to Minimize Windows Biggest Problem: Operating System Decay

When Windows 10 Tech Preview/TP was released on October, I came across a very popular article that nails Windows main problem right on the gut. It's about Windows system decay/entropy over time, "Will Windows 10 address the operating system's biggest weakness?" by Andy Patrizio (NetworkWorld, Oct 1, 2014 10:48 AM PT).

   That is the biggest and major problem any Windows user—or even any OS user experiences. Except maybe GNU/Linux users since this particular OS still has no upgrade option for any of its distribution editions.
   After around 6 months of use, Windows usually starts "getting sick", slows down, not behaving as it used to be. The combination of new applications installation and upgrade, some custom user tweaks, Windows new updates—and other only-God-knows customizations—makes the problem grows exponentially in complication, chaotic. As a result, the problem just goes way deep into the impossible zone to solve.
   This is why most Windows user guides always recommend a clean install for any new version—and avoid upgrade. Windows upgrade will keep any "junks" your previous version has into the new one. It's like upgrading a bike to a motorcycle and keeps the paddle intact.

   But there might be ways to at least prolong your Windows life and minimize this decaying process.

Don't Custom Tweak Your Windows

This is hard to do! Yes, I like to tweak Windows here and there following any "dangerous" in-registry-tweaks I could find on the Net.
   One of my favorite tweaks is to get rid of the "... - Shortcut" addition in the shortcut name.
   But I also like the "CopyTo" and "MoveTo" tweaks in the right-click context menu. And how about adding that Windows Defender shortcut in the context menu? And the list goes on...
   It's not an easy temptation to resist. But if you can, it will make your Windows registry closer to the "standard" or "default" state so any new Windows updates will not decay your system faster.

   But this tip can only give you incremental effect, at most.

Clean Up Your System Regularly

I know that already! Yes, I think you would have known this one. You might even already know all the free utilities available to do the job!
   I use Windows Disk Cleanup and CCleaner at least once a week. If I need more powerful cleaning, I use BleachBit. I also run Advanced SystemCare Free as a finale.

   But this tip, like the one above, will only give you incremental effect.

Use Only Portable Applications!

Now this is my main tip. Yes, portable applications are not just handy for your flash disk. It's in fact more useful to drastically minimize your Windows system decays.
   Portable applications don't need to keep permanent entries in your Windows registry. Some even don't use any at all. This way, you can keep the biggest source of Windows decays—the registry—cleaner, or closest to its "default" or "standard" state.

   From my experience with user computers, the more an application use registry, the faster it introduces entropy to the whole Windows ecosystem. One main example is Microsoft Office... Oh, sorry, if I hear a lot of sighs...
   I think Office is still the main application for many people. It's a "must-install" after installing Windows. But I really suggest to switch to portable alternatives like LibreOffice or OpenOffice. I know the user interface is not as cool as Office, but most features you'll ever need in a productivity suite are already there.
   You might not find some obscure advanced features, but believe me, make that jump to the ship and you'll enjoy the sail!
   You can find many alternatives for each application category you need on AlternativeTo.net or PortableApps.com.

   I only use portable applications, so every time I do a clean install, I only have to install all the device drivers. I can restore all my portable applications from my huge zip backup in 2-3 hours, and then my laptop is back to how it were and ready to go. Portable applications can slash a lot from your reinstallation time!
   You might still have to install some, like Classic Shell Start menu if you're still using Windows 8/8.1. But I already use Windows 10 Enterprise/TP, so I don't need it anymore. On average, you might only need to install around under 10 applications, the rest are portables!

   Keep the registry clean and closest to it's "default" state, and you'll be able to reap longer Windows life span, less decay, less entropy.[]

PS. And I don't think Microsoft would be able to fix this biggest problem. Like I said earlier, it's just way too complex, and chaotic. But, this is a very sexy challenge for any hacker working in the Redmond campus....