Laptop Scan Scripts

A collection of PowerShell scripts and Python utilities for Windows storage cleanup, security repair, performance optimisation, and high-throughput file transfer.

Run PowerShell scripts as Administrator for full functionality. Execute with: powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\<script-name>.ps1

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File Transfer

mover.py — High-Throughput File Mover

Batch-copies files from one drive to another (e.g. source USB/memory card → target hard drive), maximising transfer speed automatically.

Features:

• Benchmarks read speed on source and write speed on target before copying
• Auto-tunes chunk size and parallel worker count based on measured speeds
• Copies large files (≥ 100 MB) with chunked streaming — never buffers to the internal drive
• Skips files already present at the destination (safe to re-run)
• SHA-256 checksum verification after every file
• Pre-flight check: aborts if target doesn't have enough free space
• Mid-transfer space check: stops cleanly if the drive fills up
• Live progress bar with speed and ETA

Requirements: Python 3.8+

# Interactive — prompts for source and target
python mover.py

# Direct paths
python mover.py E:\ F:\Backup

# Skip checksum verification (faster)
python mover.py E:\ F:\Backup --no-verify

# Override worker count
python mover.py E:\ F:\Backup --workers 4

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check_usb.ps1 — USB Drive Inspector

Lists all connected drives with size, free space, and drive letters. Detects USB host controller generation (2.0 / 3.0 / 3.1) and shows theoretical max speed.

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\check_usb.ps1

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Scripts

Script	Purpose	Run As Admin	Modifies System
mover.py	High-throughput file transfer from source to target drive. Auto-benchmarks drives and tunes parallel workers.	No	No — copies only
check_usb.ps1	Lists connected drives and USB controller speeds.	No	No — read only
find-large-files.ps1	Scans user profile for large files and folders. Shows top offenders by size with Claude Desktop VM breakdown.	Recommended	No — read only
full-scan.ps1	Full C:\ storage scan. Lists safe-to-delete cache folders with sizes, top 30 largest files, top 30 largest folders, and all node_modules folders.	Recommended	No — read only
claude-breakdown.ps1	Deep size breakdown of the Claude Desktop package folder (Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc). Identifies live VM files vs safe-to-delete backups.	No	No — read only
check-antivirus.ps1	Audits active antivirus status via Windows Security Center, running services, installed programs, and Windows Defender state. Detects conflicts between multiple AV products.	Yes	No — read only
defender-fix.ps1	Diagnoses and fixes Windows Defender when disabled by a third-party AV (e.g. McAfee). Removes blocking registry policies and re-enables real-time protection.	Yes	Yes — registry + services
check-dell.ps1	Checks for Dell software remnants after uninstall — scans registry, running processes, services, scheduled tasks, and program folders.	No	No — read only
boost-performance.ps1	Tunes RAM, disk, CPU, and network for maximum performance. Sets High Performance power plan, disables CPU throttling and core parking, enables SSD TRIM, disables telemetry services, removes visual effects, and lowers network latency.	Yes	Yes — registry + services + power plan
startup-analyser.ps1	Analyses boot time and startup load. Shows last boot duration, all auto-launch programs (colour-coded safe/keep/review), automatic-start services, boot delay events from Windows event log, and ready-to-run disable commands.	Yes	No — read only
find-stale-files.ps1	Finds files and folders created but never accessed, old downloads, stale folders, duplicate files, and old installer/archive files. Configurable age threshold (default 180 days).	Recommended	No — read only

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Quick Reference — What to Delete Safely

Location	Safe to Delete	Notes
C:\Windows\Temp\*	Yes	Windows temp files
%TEMP%\*	Yes	User temp files
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\*	Yes	Downloaded Windows updates already installed
C:\Windows\Prefetch\*	Yes	App launch cache — rebuilds itself
C:\Windows\Panther\setupact.log	Yes	Windows upgrade log
C:\Windows\Panther\MigLog.xml	Yes	Windows migration log
C:\$WinREAgent\Scratch\*	Yes	Temp files from Windows update
Chrome / Edge Cache folders	Yes	Browser cache — no login impact
%LOCALAPPDATA%\pip\Cache\*	Yes	pip package download cache
Claude rootfs.vhdx.zst	Yes	Compressed VM backup — 2+ GB, auto-regenerated
Claude initrd.zst	Yes	Compressed VM boot backup — auto-regenerated
C:\ProgramData\McAfee\*	Yes (if uninstalled)	McAfee leaves 14+ GB behind after uninstall

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Windows Defender Recovery

If Defender was disabled by McAfee or another AV:

1. Uninstall the third-party AV using its official removal tool
2. Run defender-fix.ps1 as Administrator
3. Reboot
4. Verify: Get-MpComputerStatus | Select-Object AntivirusEnabled, RealTimeProtectionEnabled

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Requirements

• Windows 10 / 11
• PowerShell 5.1 or later
• Administrator privileges (for scripts that modify system settings)

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License

MIT — see LICENSE