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Introduction
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I will start with a caution. These programs no matter how good they are may sometimes cause harm to your computer. With the steps below however you can avoid most problems very easily. Tune-up utilities are just as necessary as getting a car serviced. They keep your computer running fast and error-free. There are a variety of tasks tune-up programs can do, such as cleaning temp files, incorrect registry entries, even ensuring your privacy. There are two scenarios that stand out where these type of programs will shine. The first example being an older computer that has been running for a longer time and needs all the resources it can get. The second is computers who run resource intensive programs, such as cutting edge computer games or video processing. All-in-one tune-up suites are more convenient than using several individual products, but the downsides are if you are unfamiliar with all the different tools you may use some above your knowledge level.Something to keep in mind as well is some stand-alone freeware are more effective than the all in one options. Before you start with tune-up programs there is a couple things you should always do. Most of these apply as a general rule of thumb of working with computers but I just want to make sure we are all on the same page.
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Discussion
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A couple of major updates here. The current top choice is Ashampoo WinOptimizer 2010, available for free from V3 Software Store (otherwise paid). Do note that you will need to register for the serial. Just about everything from the previous iterations of WinOptimizer continue here, only better and more faster. WinOptimizer has a very sleek interface, with one-click cleaning for disk, privacy and registry cleaning tasks. It also has a nice option of a full scan, which gives recommendations for disabling unnecessary services, tweaking system settings, as well as the one-click cleaning features. I also like "Did you know?" tips, some of which I found quite useful. However, WinOptimizer is the only product that requires registration. Also, no further updates are provided. However, this is the best choice if you want something simple that can clean your computer with a few clicks, with no ads. WinOptimizer offers a very basic disk and privacy cleaner; in particular, it does not clean the history of most programs. The disk defragmenter is very fast, but seems to be a bit too quick to offer good file placement. The file erasing utility is very comprehensive, with wiping options up to Gutmann and the ability to rename the files and folders before it is erased. The registry cleaner also seems very basic, detecting very little items. (Of course, registry cleaning is not simply a case of the more the better, but the result was far less than even some very conservative registry cleaners). It also has a tweaking utility with over 450 tweaks, and it's the best I've seen out of these products. WinOptimizer also has a detailed process manager, a startup manager, a system information utility, a benchmarking utility and various other tools. Of note, Uniblue SpeedUpMyPC 2009 is also available for free on this site. I've used it in the past, but did not derive much benefit from it and hence passed it up this time around.
Another good option is Glary Utilities. It has one-click cleaning for some tasks. One important feature that Glary does not have is disk defragmentation. This is quite a powerful product, but many of its tools require user interaction. Glary Utilities free offers a very basic disk cleaner, but it is made up by a reasonable privacy cleaner and various tools which can remove broken shortcuts, duplicate files and empty folders. Unfortunately, I could not find an option to overwrite files in the privacy cleaner. The disk-space analysis feature is outstanding, offering the most detailed information out of these products. However, I was unable to find out what encryption algorithm Glary uses for its encryption/decryption utility, so I would not rely on it for sensitive data. Glary also contains a file and free space eraser and recovery of deleted files. The registry cleaner works very well and it also contains a registry defragmenter. The startup manager is the only product to contain a startup delayer, however, the security ratings from both the startup and process manager do not seem to be very accurate, but it could be useful for experienced users. Glary also includes a few other tools.
The disk and privacy cleaner is very thorough, but could be dangerous in the hands of a beginner. System Cleaner has a wide variety of file utilities, with encryption/decryption, a rename tool and calculation of checksums, to name a few. The registry cleaning is very aggressive, maybe too aggressive in my opinion. Other features include a minimal disk-space analysis feature, a detailed process manager, a startup manager, a rather basic tweaking utility and system information and benchmarking. Regardless of which tune-up utility you use, I suggest you read Gizmo's Best Free Disk De-fragmenter and run one of those defragmenters regularly. The reason for this is that I believe none of the disk defragmenters provided by these suites are that effective or have scheduling/real-time options. If you use a disk defragmenter in conjunction with one of these tune-up utilities, you'll have a remarkably complete tune-up package. Remember that cleaning your PC always involves a small element of risk, so backup your data, create a System Restore Point and have an image backup handy before you start. I recommend that you run the tune-up programs monthly. After each monthly Windows update is an excellent time to run a clean up. If you install and uninstall many products, you may want to increase this frequency to weekly or even daily. If you have never tuned up your PC, then you should see a real improvement in speed and responsiveness the first time you run these programs. However, on subsequent runs the improvement may be much less noticeable. Please help us by rating this review |
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6.501 
Private Freeware (not free for commercial use) 
2000 - Vista
Portable version available 
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Any thoughts on RegSeeker v1.55?
http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm
I've had no problem using this tool.
I like it and have been using it for quite a while now, but it can cause problems. It caused a number of problems on some PC's I installed it to, and on some friend's PC's ( Of course, I don't know exactly what they did with it!. It often caused problems with programs installed via MSI installer), so I wouldn't recommend it for most users. One major advantage is its really good registry search component, but this is also only of use if you use a good registry editor as well and actually do a lot with the registry. It is unlikely that this is of any use to most users.
I recently tried the Auslogics registry cleaner, ( part of the free auslogics package reviewed/mentioned here recently), and it is even more aggresive than RegSeeker. No problems as yet but I have only used it a few times so it's early days.
Some problems with these things only arise under certain circumstances/conditions, and some only arise after a while. Hard to say how good/bad something like this is, not least because there is still considerable controversy about whether there is any, or much, point in "cleaning" the registry at all.
Was the post about the Tuneup Utilities 2007 free offer taken off for some particular reason?
The hundreds of anonymous posts here are managed round the clock by our moderating team. We do not supply reasons for this process.
OK. So what's up with the Tuneup Utilities 2007 freebie taken down?
Hi Rick,
This is 2010, do you think we still need to review or even use products from 2007? Like everything else the software scene too is ever changing and we are only going to review the best of the best and that too only freeware here at Gizmo's.
Personally, I have used Tuneup Utilities and would rate them the best (or at least one of the best) but in the past. Recently though I've not used it so cannot say.
Why don't you hop over to the forum we have here at http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/ and check it out?
Rajiv's Blog!
The review above mentions Uniblue speedupmypc. Is it any good?
Hi,
Uniblue is ok, I was not very much impressed with it and other freeware like Glary Utilities performed much better. But I did not have any issues with Uniblue either to be honest. Give it a spin and see if you like it more.
Rajiv's Blog!
Advance SystemCare is from China.
Iobit station in China, so think before you use.
Well the issue is not political nor are we looking to get into politics. We are only interested in finding the best freeware. If that is from China then I personally would have no qualms about using it.
Rajiv's Blog!
Despite the recent issues between Iobit and Malwarebytes, you cannot label everything from a complete nation as being suspect.
Whats the straight dope on Advance Systemcare Free? Cnet rates them No. 1!
Well we are not recommending them and that's mainly stemming from the controversy between them and Malwarebytes. Just Google for more info on that front, but that's the reason they are not featured or recommended on Gizmo's.
Rajiv's Blog!
FixWin is an additional free tool that efisx common Windows issues (Windows 7 & Vista, 32-bit and 64-bit versions). It is avalaible at:
www.thewindowsclub.com/repair-fix-windows-7-vista-problems-with-fixwin-u...
This is actually really a hardware tune-up, but a lot of people like it because it can reduce noise significantly. It has a lot of possibilities for advanced tuning users. CAREFUL!! SOME THINGS CAN DESTROY YOUR MACHINE!!
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
For most of my customers I just set it like this, so that the CPU cooler fan is much less noisy when the processor is not under full load;
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/522/speedfan.jpg
merely the "Automatic Fan Speed" box is checked. No other configurations have been done on the machine from which the screenshot was taken.
Just a point which is often ignored. There are some good on-board tools in various windows versions, and it is a good idea to try these before installing lots of third party stuff. One of the most important in terms of cleaning disks, expecially before defragmenting is Disk Cleanup (Open Via RUN > cleanmgr.exe)
You can also run it form the disc contect menu.
Windows Clean Manager is a free utility used for Disk Space Cleanup. It is a System tool for Windows XP(Vista). You can use this tool to cleanup all the temporary files generated by the OS and other Softwares. You can also use this tool for Automating Disk Cleanup.
Available Options to cleanup (as of XP Pro SP2):
Temporary Setup Files
Downloaded Program Files
Temporary Internet Files
Debug Dump Files
Office Setup Files
old chkdsk files
Recycle Bin
Temp Remote Desktop Files
Setup Log Files
Temp Files
WebClient Temp files
Compressed Old Files
Catalog files for the content Indexer
If you have never un this program before, you may well be amazed at what it cleans up and SAFELY!
It may take a LONG!! time to complete if you have never run it before.
This is a good point. Thanks for the reminder.
I actually balk at the logic. When someone as obsessive as me about an optimal system has passed on the defaults, there's problems. It's not only the insane scan time but the amount of loose ends it leaves. You delete nothing semi-important because corners are cut directloy around that chance.
I have found that ASC is not the superstar. it thought it would be, while Glary simply says push the button, I'll fix it. Those saying it cost 'em big on a registry item either misplaced the blame or suffered an unfortunate coincidence.
Speeds of various systems depend heavily on the hardware involved, and what you are actually doing with it, regardless of what system you have there is always a limit to what you can achieve by cleaning, optimising, and "tweaking",. either software or hardware.
For most people, an "optimal" system is one that starts and runs reliably and does what they want it to do.
The on-board utilities are actually a great deal safer for the majority of users, precisely because if you use them properly you can not normally "accidentally" delete something of importance. You still need some basic knowledge in order to be able to use the various utilities properly. Very few users do much maintenance at all, and quite a number who do actually have no idea what happens when they press some button or other.
There is no such thing as "completely safe", people manage to do all sorts of weird things without ever using either on-board utilities or third party stuff.
If you want to use various third party tweaking software, alter basic operating system settings, change the registry, and so on, then you MUST have the knowledge required to do it, and you are then most certainly NOT an average user.
One must also, in my opinion, differentiate between keeping a system running properly, and trying to make it go faster.
Many things are also a matter of perception. One of the greatest "tweaks" of all for many customers/users ( all windows versions ) is this;
User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
Value Name: MenuShowDelay
Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Value Data: 0-999 (milliseconds)
The default values vary, but are often around 400...500 ms. This means you have to wait half a second before a menu appears.
Setting the Value Data to 0 makes menus appear without delay, and many people then think the machine is very much faster.
One other point here which may be germane is that technicians, and users who wish to use their systems optiomally, need to know what the on-board utilities are, how they work, and how to use them. Not everybody has the latest "super-duper tune-up" program on their machines, and a lot of freeware is not allowed to be used commercially anyway.
Ashamppoo says my free trial version is finished now. Then is this not freeware??
Other than that IMHO it is a nice product.
Thanks for any advice.
Hi Zentracker,
Just register for a free serial key. All you will need is an email and Ashampoo will send you offers once in a while, but that's ok IMHO since Winoptimizer is such a great product.
Rajiv's Blog
Since the author has not bothered to update their link from the german version to the english here's the CORRECT link: http://www2.ashampoo.com/webcache/html/1/trial_step_1_6386_2_USD.htm
Hmmm I checked it out and the link I had posted earlier too was going to the English version for me. Anyways I've replaced the links with the CNET Download site now. Thanks for pointing out and sharing too.
Rajiv's Blog
Ashampoo WinOptimizer is Shareware costing $49.99.
I have experienced problems with Glary Utilities.
Recommend you try both TweakNow PowerPack 2009 and jv16 PowerTools Lite. Horses for courses, so try both and keep the one you prefer.
Perry Mason
TweakNow PowerPack 2009 is pretty decent but not really in the league of Ashampoo or Glary Utilities and JV16 PowerTools Lite does not do anything pretty much. Even CCleaner does more duty compared to PowerTools.
Rajiv's Blog
Have CCleaner gained the ability to uninstall software completely? Very useful program... but Defraggler is crap (if CCleaner in a pair with a separate HDD defragmenter - try Auslogics' software).
P.S. Something better came out, eh? Still waiting for "something real"...
-Peter
CCleaner hasn't gained the ability to remove software completely unless said software was installed using the appropriate Windows SDK guidelines. It is only possible to remove software that has been installed correctly.
Defraggler is crap? On what extensive analysis do you base this comment? Further use of the word 'crap', a swear word is unnecessary. Please confine yourself to factual comment that takes into account the sensibilities of others.
Thank you.
Rik Mayell Category Editor, Best Free Windows 7 / Vista 64 bit Software
your ashampoo winoptimizer gives a dutch program version and its really irritating....could you pls chg the link to an english version of it? Thank you
German (de) not dutch !anyway , the whole behaviour of this company is upsetting !
It seems for me that Ashampoo WinOptimizer is no longer Freeware. You get a fully functional 10-Day Trial, 40-Day if you register. Then it appears you have to buy it. Have not used it for the full trial period yet though so I may be wrong.
Looks like version 5 is free and version 6 is not. Since I downloaded the Ashampoo I have been getting a spam message a day from them, despite changing my settings to turn off service messages. What a turnoff! Thanks bit no thanks.
advance system care ??????????????
This query has been just answered below your query... please read it!!!
Just curious as to why Iobits advance system care is not mentioned here anymore? Why did it lose first choice from Gizmo?
It means you are unaware of the recent events that happened regarding IObit. Sometime ago, IObit were accused by MBAM, of stealing their database... and they had put their case forward strongly. After that, many sites removed IObit products from their sites. We did it too. Moreover, IObit site is now rated "orange" by WOT. That's one more reason to remove IObit's products.
thanks alot got to do that right away...
Please can you review AutoMz Ultimate Tweaker or
Mz Ultimate Tweaker.
I received the information below in our site contact form. -Gizmo
I thought you might like have some "New" News to tell your readers.
I have created an interacting program to skin Advanced SystemCare, with
their approval of-course, it's called XSkin. The website is ClickTask.com
and more information may be found in the IObit.com Forums under my sticky
"Designing New Skins for ASC". These forums are part of the support center
for ASC.
Thanks again... I am going back to read some more info on your site.
Robert M
Valuater
I use Auslogics Boostspeed, it has good utils for maintaining windows clean and fast.
its not "freeware"
Hello JonathanT and folks. I believe Comodo System Cleaner is out of Beta now and has been fully released to the public. Were you going to re-evaluate this and perhaps add it to your list if it meets the standards?
Duskao
Thanks for the info. I will add it to the list soon.
....sorry - forgot to mention Easy Cleaner for the rest of my clean up utilities. Find CCCleaner too aggressive unless I know I'm concentrating which after a hard day staring at several screens is not always guaranteed! So, Easy Cleaner - good, safe, reliable, user friendly (forgiving!) and trouble free!.
I too was a big fan of all things Iobit until they ditched AWC for ASC. It's caused problems already on one of my PC's and I dislike the route that this company is now taking towards intensified commercialism. If you don't want to give away stuff free then fine I appreciate that, but if you DO then please dont fill the applications with 'phone home'facilities disguised as "updaters". Smart defrag remains the better of their products but even this will connect all the time unless you disable the option. I'm afraid that I've lost faith now totally and I've switched to a combination of Auslogics, Erunt and NTRegopt for the registry and Auslogics again for my disks. They maybe somewhat simpler apps but I've never seen a bad word written about Auslogics anywhere.
I installed Glary Utilities Pro version from www.giveawayoftheday.com.
There seems to be a problem with its wipe free space file shredder utility. It caused my hard drive to overheat to 60 degrees Celsius (should be no more then 48degrees) it also did not complete the process seeming to stop at about 45percent. I let it cool down to 35degrees and tried again stopping it at 14percent complete when it got to 50degrees.
I think this utility could damage your harddrive!
Laurie
I totally agree. It wiped some executable files when I ran the file shredder utility. My computer hasn't been the same since. I would stay away from this entirely.
Tune Up Utilities is the best!
From freewares CCleaner is the king.
An excellent cleaner program that hasn’t been mentioned here is Eusing Free Registry Cleaner:
http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm
I’ve been using it for some time, and it has never yet given me a bad advice.
See:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-registry-cleaner.htm
I tried ashampoo win optimizer and it seemed to improve things.I turned off my computer and come back a few hours later and got the blue screen of death.It said bad pool or something like that.I booted up in safe mode and did a restore wich lost the optimizer thank goodness.I also tried that glary utilities one and after that finished I could not get back on line and also did a restore.I will stick with cc cleaner and auslogics defrag,never had problems with these and they are free.
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