Tune Up Your PC With WinUtilities Free Edition 9.94

Using WinUtilities free edition (last updated November 30, 2010), you can tweak, repair, optimize and improve your system’s performance; and, its ease of operation makes it ideal for less experienced users. With more than 20 system utilities built into this all-in-one application, WinUtilities takes convenience to a new level.

The intuitive GUI makes it a simple process finding the tool you’re looking for. Or, you can make it easy on yourself; skip the single tool usage, and employ the one click maintenance solution. If you’re more of a laid back user, then use the built in task scheduler to perform routine maintenance automatically.

Fast facts:

Disk Defrag: Defragment your disks and improve computer performance and stability
File Undelete: Recovers deleted files on NTFS and FAT volumes.
Disk Cleaner: Cleans disks from information that clogs your system and reduces the performance of your computer.
Registry Cleaner: Scans the Windows registry and finds incorrect or obsolete information in the Windows Registry.
Startup Cleaner: Helps you to easily manage program execution at windows startup.
History Cleaner: Erases all traces of activity on your computer, save spaces and protect your privacy.
File Splitter: Splits any type of file into smaller pieces and rejoin them to the original file.
File Shredder: Erases files and make sure that no data thief can get his hands on your sensitive data.
EXE Protector: Protects any Windows executable file with a secure password.
Memory Optimizer: Optimizes the Memory Management of Windows. No special configuration is needed, Memory Optimizer will auto configure itself.
Duplicate Files Finder: Helps you to free disk space by finding and removing duplicate files from your system.
Shortcuts Fixer: Provides you with an easy way to address the invalid shortcuts and reports back to you so that you can remove it from your system.
Process Manager: Allows you to check your system’s performance and manage the running processes.
Uninstall Manager: Manages the programs installed on your system and uninstall unneeded software.
System Information: Shows you the detailed information for your computer hardware and software.
Registry Backup&Restore: Back up and restore the Windows Registry.
Registry Search: Searchs the Windows Registry by a specific wildcard. then you can delete or export them.
BHO Remover: Manages the BHOs that are currently installed.
Auto Shutdown: Schedules your computer for log off, stand by, hibernate, or shutdown at a specific time.
Windows Tools: Provides you an easy way to launch the utilities build in Windows.
System Control: Organizes and manage your Windows Settings
Task Scheduler: Configures the cleaning tasks that take place automatically.

As you can see from the Fast Facts, WinUtilities is an extremely inclusive and powerful utility. In a short review like this it’s not possible to discuss all of the features of this application so, to give you some idea of what can be accomplished running this application, here’s a few screen shot examples. Clicking on any screen capture will expand it to its original size.

Running the disk cleaner under Clean Up and Repair …

found 23 additional junk files not cleaned by CCleaner, which I ran just before testing WinUtilities clean up capabilities.

Running the Registry Cleaner produced the following – 364 errors not found by CCleaner.

Because I’m a “just in case” kind of guy, I created a restore point automatically before executing the “clean” command.

One of the built-in tools, found under the application’s Privacy and Security tab, provides a security rating on both running processes and services. This tool is a real bonus for security conscious users.

A sub categories found under the application’s System Tools tab, System Control, will allow you to fine tune a number of system areas that are difficult to locate – especially for average users.

System requirements: Windows 7, 2000, XP, Vista, 2003 Server.  32/64bit versions.

Download at: Download.com

Note: It seems as if ALL free applications now include the option to install the Ask Toolbar, as well as other Ask services, so pay particular attention to the End User License screen when installing this application.

We’ve often talked about older machines here, and this application is perfect to rehabilitate an older computer when one considers the minimum running requirements:

Graphics mode 1024×768 with 32-bit color
30 MB or more free hard disk space
Intel Pentium 3/4 or AMD Athlon processor with 500 or above MHz
128 MB RAM or more

If you’re looking for a free Windows maintenance solution that’s very easy to use, I think you’d be hard pressed to find an application that would outperform WinUtilities free edition.

If, on the other hand, you’re looking for an even more inclusive fee based solution then TuneUp Utilities 2011 is the application you need. Currently, we’re running a free license giveaway contest here. Checkout – TuneUp Utilities 2011 – Five License Giveaway! and get your entry in.

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CCleaner 3.0 released – Now Native 64 Bit Compatible

What can you say about CCleaner (the granddaddy of all system cleaners – it’s been around since 2004), that hasn’t already been said of this freeware system optimization, privacy, and cleaning tool.

Even though I have tested a fairly large number of free system utilities, over the years, that offer to improve system performance and help maintain privacy, I always find myself coming back to CCleaner. It’s just hard to beat perfection, and in my view CCleaner is as close to perfect at its assigned task, as a free program can be.

CCleaner removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. As well, it cleans up traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally, it includes a fully featured registry cleaner. But the best part is – it’s fast; normally taking just seconds to run.

Piriform, the people who bring us not only CCleaner, but Defraggler, Speccy, and Recuva, have just released (October 28, 2010),  the latest version of this venerable utility.

New in Version 3.0

A new 64-bit native EXE designed specifically for 64-bit systems.

A new Drive Wiper tool screen under the Tools section, which allows users to securely erase the contents or free space on a specified drive.

Improved support for Internet Explorer 9 and the Google Chrome browsers.

We have also added improved cleaning support for HTML5 database storage, allowing CCleaner to effectively manage the next generation of web applications.

Additional cleaning support for Microsoft Silverlight Isolated Storage.

We’ve added three new environment variables (%SystemDirectory%, %SystemDirectory32%, and %SystemDirectory64%).

New application icon.

New Intelligent cookie keeping feature.

Running a Hard Disk cleaner such as CCleaner, will help optimize a system by emptying the Recycle Bin, Temporary Setup Files, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Old Chkdsk Files, Temporary Files, Temporary Offline Files, Offline Files, and more.

System requirements: Windows 2000, XP, Vista Win 7.

Download at: Download.com

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How’s Your Hard Drive? – Check It Out With These Free HD Tools

All modern Hard Drives are equipped with a feature known as S.M.A.R.T. that provides real-time analysis and the reporting of any developing problems and potential issues. The big question is: can you read the warnings?

The following free application can take the guesswork out of the equation, and make it easier to diagnose what’s really occurring inside the complex environment of the Hard Drive.

Ariolic Disk Scanner

Disk Scanner is a tiny freeware utility to check the hard drive for read errors. Sometimes, you may notice, that some files on the disk cannot be read. This may happen for several reasons, but the most important one is the hard drive degradation, that may be the first typical sign of the disk failure.

Fast facts:

Read-only test of hard drive volumes for read errors

Scan hard disk, flash drives, USB hard drives, CD/DVD, floppy

Disk Scanner does not require a setup – it’s portable. Run it directly from CD or a Flash drive

See the check result at a glance

Works with hard drives, flash disks, CD, floppy

Simple user interface

Download at: Ariolic Software

Hard Drive diagnostic software is offered free from all the major Hard Drive manufacturers. Check out their sites.

Western Digital Support

Samsung

Seagate

Please note that since Seagate purchased Maxtor, the download sites are identical.

Maxtor

Hard Drive Maintenance: Repair, Defrag and Disk Cleanup Tools

Fragmentation is caused by creating and deleting files and folders, installing new software, and downloading files from the Internet. When you delete files or folders, the first available empty spaces on the Hard Drive are filled in randomly when you create new files and folders, as you do when you save pics from your camera, install software, save emails, or create documents.

Hard Disk fragmentation makes the disk drive heads move more than necessary when reading files which can degrade performance over time, and can lead to system slowdowns, computer crashes, slow startups and shutdowns.

Auslogics Disk Defrag

The program (updated August 10, 2010 ), is extremely easy to use, does not require any analysis phase and is faster than most disk defragmentation software I’ve tested in the past, and it’s free.

In my view, it’s one more maintenance process in helping me get the maximum performance out of my hardware.

Fast facts:

Improve computer performance and stability

Increase your productivity – no more waiting for files to open

Defragment disks in minutes

Disk fragmentation map and detailed fragmentation report

Download at: Download.com

CCleaner

Running a Hard Disk cleaner such as CCleaner (updated September 27, 2010), can optimize systems by emptying the Recycle Bin, Temporary Setup Files, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Old Chkdsk Files, Temporary Files, Temporary Offline Files, Offline Files, and more.

Fast facts:

Frees up valuable hard disk space

Advanced features to remove unused and old entries

Comprehensive backup feature

System tray icon

Privacy tool

Download at: Download.com

Glary Utilities

Using Glary Utilities, you can tweak, repair, optimize and improve your system’s performance; and its ease of operation makes it ideal for less experienced users.

You can quickly find the tool you’re looking for: disk cleaner, uninstall manager, secure file deletion, memory optimizer, (a gentle) registry cleaner, duplicate file finder, tracks eraser, and empty folder finder.

Fast Facts:

Disk Cleaner Removes junk data from your disks and recovers disk space

Registry Cleaner scans and cleans your registry to improve your system’s performance

Shortcuts Fixer eliminates the errors in your start menu & desktop shortcuts

Startup Manager manages programs which run automatically on startup

Memory Optimizer monitors and optimizes free memory in the background

Tracks Eraser erases all traces, evidence, cookies, internet history and more

File Shredder erases files permanently

Internet Explorer Assistant manages Internet Explorer Add-ons

Disk Analysis provides detailed information files and folders

Duplicate Files Finder searches for space-wasting duplicate files

Empty Folders Finder removes empty folders (I love this feature)

Uninstall Manager completely uninstall programs

Download at: Download.com

A portable version is also available which you can download at GlarySoft.

Disk Heal

Disk Heal is a free Windows NT, 2000, XP and Vista utility that may be able to restore the condition of your Hard Drive, or a USB Flash Drive.

This application is a very useful tool that has a host of additional capabilities, including recovering hidden files and performing system tweaks; all can be accessed with just one click.

Fast facts:

Fixes disk problems

Fixes task manager inaccessibility

Fixes folder options inaccessibility

Fixes registry editor inaccessibility

Recovers hidden files and folders

Changes the default icon of any drive, external, internal, or a partition

Security and system tweaks

Download at: Download.com

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FREE for a Limited Time – Advanced SystemCare PRO Edition

Kingpin has done it again! My Internet friend Kingpin, who is always on the lookout for Tech Thoughts readers, has found another bargain that will save you 30 Dollars.

Advanced System Care Pro Edition is now free, for a limited time, from the developer IObit, in celebration of their fifth anniversary.

To obtain your free license, just visit the developer’s site; complete the CAPTCHA and you’ll be rewarded with the following screen.

As well as keeping your machine physically clean, it is always good practice to keep your computer’s operating system and subsystems clean, so that you can get maximum performance from your machine. This application can certainly help you do just that. Here’s our original review of this application from March 5, 2010.

When an application is downloaded almost a Million times in one week (last week), from CNET alone, you have to think, there must be something to it.

Application popularity is not always indicative of an application’s strength of course – I can think of more than a few super popular applications, that I wouldn’t have on a system for all the tea in China. But that’s a subjective analysis on my part.

In the case of IObit’s Advanced SystemCare, a comprehensive PC care utility, that takes a one-click approach to help protect, repair, and optimize a PC, I can understand the enthusiasm.

This application provides a super convenient solution for PC maintenance and protection. And if you like, you can complete all maintenance in a minute or two, with just one click.

Alternatively you can approach selective maintenance tasks individually.

The main user interface, which is restricted to a few push buttons, (spyware removal; Registry cleaning; privacy sweep; junk file deletion), couldn’t be easier.

You have the option of taking full control over each process however, if you prefer, as the following example indicates.

The application doesn’t stop with just maintenance though. With the optimization applet you have the opportunity to optimize your machine to reflect how you use it.

There are a host of additional tools, included with this application, for users who like to “get under the hood”.

Fast facts – from the developers site:

• Ultimate Speeding Up with Turbo Boost

  Turbo Boost can speed up your PC by shutting down unnecessary background processes, cleaning RAM, and intensifying processor performance.

• Enjoy That New PC Feeling Again

  Whatever version of Windows you’re running, enjoy that “good as new” speed usually only experienced on a brand new PC.

• Next-generation Registry Deep Clean and Optimization

  Safely cleans registry junk, compacts registry bloats and defragments the whole registry for maximum performance. Finds and fixes the registry errors that other utilities miss with “Deep Scan” technology.

• Keeps Your PC Running at Peak Performance

  Fully optimizes Windows for ultimate system performance and top Internet speed by unleashing the built-in power of your system, based on how you use your PC and your network configuration. Turns your PC into a business PC, a productive workstation, an entertainment center, a game machine, or a scientific computing PC.

• Quick and Extensive System Clean-up

  Boosts your system’s performance by cleaning missing files, destroying unwanted files, deleting obsolete files, and removing junk files. Supports clean-up of over 50 different types of junk files.

• Powerful Hard Drive Defragmentation

  Fast, powerfully and incredibly effective Disk Defrag function to defragment hard drives – up to 10 times faster than other defragmentation tools.

• Automated Working in the Background

  Just install it and forget it. This powerful utility works continuously, automatically and quietly in the background on your PC. You can set it as your schedule or just let it work automatically when your PC is idle.

• Defends PC Security with Extra Protection

  1. Detects and analyzes Windows security environment. Scans and removes spyware and adware using up-to-date definition files. Prevents spyware, hackers and hijackers from installing malicious programs on your computer. Erases and updates your PC’s activity histories.

• Fixes Multiple System Errors

  Keeps your PC stably and running at peak efficiency. Continuously repairs system configurations by eliminating system bottlenecks and preventing crashes.

System requirements: Windows  7, Vista, XP, 2000 (32bit and 64bit).

Download at: IObit

Advanced System Care tutorial on YouTube.

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Download IObit Advanced SystemCare Free – Maximize Your PC’s Potential

When an application is downloaded almost a Million times in one week (last week), from CNET alone, you have to think, there must be something to it.

Application popularity is not always indicative of an application’s strength of course – I can think of more than a few super popular applications, that I wouldn’t have on a system for all the tea in China. But that’s a subjective analysis on my part.

In the case of IObit’s Advanced SystemCare Free ( updated Feb 23, 2010), a comprehensive PC care utility, that takes a one-click approach to help protect, repair, and optimize a PC, I can understand the enthusiasm.

This free application provides a super convenient solution for PC maintenance and protection. And if you like, you can complete all maintenance in a minute or two, with just one click.

Alternatively you can approach selective maintenance tasks individually.

The main user interface, which is restricted to a few push buttons, (spyware removal; Registry cleaning; privacy sweep; junk file deletion), couldn’t be easier.

You have the option of taking full control over each process however, if you prefer, as the following example indicates.

The application doesn’t stop with just maintenance though. With the optimization applet you have the opportunity to optimize your machine to reflect how you use it.

There are a host of additional tools, included with this application, for users who like to “get under the hood”.

Fast facts – from the developers site:

Speed Up with Turbo Boost
Advanced SystemCare is built with Turbo Boost to speed up PC by shutting down unnecessary background processes, cleaning RAM, and intensifying processor performance.

Next-generation Registry Cleaner and System Optimization
Safely cleans registry junks, compacts registry bloat and defragments the registry for blistering-fast performance.

Speeds Up PC Performance and Internet Access
Tunes up Windows by releasing the built-in power of your system.

Fixes Multiple System Errors
More than a mere free XP registry cleaner – keeps your PC stable and running at peak efficiency.

As well as keeping your machine physically clean, it is always good practice to keep your computer’s operating system and subsystems clean, so that you can get maximum performance from your machine. This free application can certainly help you do just that.

System requirements: Windows  7, Vista, XP, 2000 (32bit and 64bit).

Download at: IObit

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Check, Maintain, and Clean Your Hard Drive With Free Tools

There’s no question that Hard Drives fail – I’ve had to deal with three failures, personally, in the past two years.

Fortunately, today’s Hard Drives rarely fail without a warning of failure given well in advance. All modern Hard Drives are equipped with a feature known as S.M.A.R.T. that provides real-time analysis and the reporting of any developing problems and potential issues. The big question is: can you read the warnings?

The following free applications take the guesswork out of the equation, and they make it easier than ever to diagnose what’s really occurring inside the complex environment of the Hard Drive.

Active Hard Disk Monitor

Active Hard Disk Monitor is a freeware disk utility that checks and monitors the status of your hard drives to help prevent data loss. The system is based on the Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T).

The application can be launched automatically at Windows startup and monitor the system in the background. An icon in the System Tray can display the temperature for selected HDD(s).

Fast facts:

Hard Disk performance monitoring and control

Based on Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (or S.M.A.R.T.)

Able to scan and display bad sectors on a disk’s surface.

Displays current S.M.A.R.T. attributes

Can be launched automatically at Windows startup and monitor the HDD(s) in the background

Includes System Tray icon temperature status

Can generate event log and S.M.A.R.T reports

Download at: Download.com

Ariolic Disk Scanner

Disk Scanner is a tiny freeware utility to check the hard drive for read errors. Sometimes, you may notice, that some files on the disk cannot be read. This may happen for several reasons, but the most important one is the hard drive degradation, that may be the first typical sign of the disk failure.

Fast facts:

Read-only test of hard drive volumes for read errors

Scan hard disk, flash drives, USB hard drives, CD/DVD, floppy

Disk Scanner does not require a setup – it’s portable. Run it directly from CD or a Flash drive

See the check result at a glance

Works with hard drives, flash disks, CD, floppy

Simple user interface

Download at: Ariolic Software

Don’t forget, Hard Drive diagnostic software is offered free from all the major Hard Drive manufacturers. Check out their sites.

Western Digital Support

Samsung

Seagate

Please note that since Seagate purchased Maxtor, the download sites are identical.

Maxtor

Hard Drive Maintenance: Repair, Defrag and Disk Cleanup Tools

Fragmentation is caused by creating and deleting files and folders, installing new software, and downloading files from the Internet. When you delete files or folders, the first available empty spaces on the Hard Drive are filled in randomly when you create new files and folders, as you do when you save pics from your camera, install software, save emails, or create documents.

Hard Disk fragmentation makes the disk drive heads move more than necessary when reading files which can degrade performance over time, and can lead to system slowdowns, computer crashes, slow startups and shutdowns.

Auslogics Disk Defrag

The program (updated December, 2009), is extremely easy to use, does not require any analysis phase and is faster than most disk defragmentation software I’ve tested in the past, and it’s free.

In my view, it’s one more maintenance process in helping me get the maximum performance out of my hardware.

Fast facts:

Improve computer performance and stability

Increase your productivity – no more waiting for files to open

Defragment disks in minutes

Disk fragmentation map and detailed fragmentation report

Download at: Download.com

CCleaner

Running a Hard Disk cleaner such as CCleaner (updated January, 2010), can optimize systems by emptying the Recycle Bin, Temporary Setup Files, Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Old Chkdsk Files, Temporary Files, Temporary Offline Files, Offline Files, and more.

Fast facts:

Frees up valuable hard disk space

Advanced features to remove unused and old entries

Comprehensive backup feature

System tray icon

Privacy tool

Download at: Download.com

Disk Heal

Disk Heal 1.48 (updated August, 2009), is a free Windows NT, 2000, XP and Vista utility that may be able to restore the condition of your Hard Drive, or a USB Flash Drive.

This application is a very useful tool that has a host of additional capabilities, including recovering hidden files and performing system tweaks; all can be accessed with just one click.

Fast facts:

Fixes disk problems

Fixes task manager inaccessibility

Fixes folder options inaccessibility

Fixes registry editor inaccessibility

Recovers hidden files and folders

Changes the default icon of any drive, external, internal, or a partition

Security and system tweaks

Download at: Download.com

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Comodo System Cleaner – The Free “Swiss Army Knife” of System Cleaners

Calling this free application “a system cleaner” is more than a slight understatement – it’s a bit more “Swiss Army Knife” than that. The inclusion of a System Tweaker, AutoRun Manager, and File Wipe module, takes this application out of the “run of the mill” category.

After considerable testing, and retesting, I gave Comodo System Cleaner a big “thumbs up”.

Fast facts:

Registry Cleaner – Optimizes and repairs your Windows registry by running an in-depth scan to remove, or repair, unnecessary or corrupted registry keys.

Disk Cleaner – This utility lets you quickly clear them all, to free up space and improve performance. Also allows you to schedule regular clean up routines.

Privacy Cleaner – Obliterates your digital paper trail and helps protect you from identity theft by cleaning history, cache, cookies and usage records from Internet browsers, Windows locations, and popular software.

System Settings – With over 50 tweaks in the ‘System Settings’ area alone, you can optimize Windows behavior in a more powerful and intuitive way than ever before.

System Information – Detailed and easily accessible ‘dashboard’ summary of all the hardware and software installed on your computer.

Autorun Manager – Fingertip control over exactly which programs and services start with Windows. Helps improve Windows boot up time, stops unwanted programs from hogging system resources and boosts overall system performance and stability.

File Pending Delete – Provides the ability to delete files that are locked and cannot otherwise be deleted when in Windows ‘User Mode’. Specifying a file with the ‘File Pend Delete’ tool will schedule that file to be deleted immediately after the next system restart.

File Wiper – Allows you to permanently remove confidential or sensitive files from your hard drive. When you ‘delete’ a file in Windows, you are really only removing the reference to that file from the system table. The file itself remains on your drive and could be easily re-opened by data thieves. ‘File Wiper’ ensures that the files you want to delete are comprehensively erased and cannot be recovered.

Free – for both home and business users.

I’m a big fan of “all-in-one” system utilities and I have to admit, I really liked this all-in-one free application, with its simple and effective user interface. I particularly liked the easy access the user interface allows to Windows system settings (even on my Windows 7 machine), which makes tweaking the OS a snap.

As the fast facts point out, this application has a wide range of built in system utilities, which in my view, are perfect for the new, or casual computer user. I should point out however; the built in registry cleaner, just like all registry cleaners, should be used cautiously.

Here’s why – despite the fact that the registry cleaner has a neat feature; it will restart your machine to test if the registry removal will adversely affect your system, on my first test run, this module screwed up my game settings.

I’m not blaming the module. It was my own fault, since I did not exercise proper caution. Just goes to show you – even geeks can be careless! It was not a big deal to recover but……….

What makes this free application even more interesting is; it’s available as a portable program which can easily be run from a USB drive. Great for geeks!

Comodo provides a comparison chart, on their site, which illustrates the differences between their application and the competition, which you may find interesting.

When I need that weekly deep cleaning, or I need additional system access, Comodo System Cleaner has become my “go to” application.

For everyday routine cleaning, I’ll continue to use Ccleaner since it’s FAST and really, it’s so simple, that it’s a bit of a “no brainer”.

Recommendation: I’m a big fan of Comodo’s products, including their free Firewall and AntiVirus software. So I was expecting big things from Comodo System Cleaner, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Comodo System Cleaner is definitely worth considering as an addition to your system utilities toolbox. If you’re building a portable “tech tools” flash drive, this application is a worthy addition.

System requirements: Windows Vista – 32 and 64 bit, XP – 32 and 64 bit, Windows 7.0 – 32 and 64 bit, Server 2003 – 32 and 64 bit

Download at: Comodo

Portable version – (supports both 32 bit and 64 bit systems), download at: Comodo

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Three Free “all-in-one” System Cleaners

I’m a big fan of “all-in-one” system utilities; particularly “all-in-one” system cleaners. System cleaners come in all shades of complexity – some with a simple and effective user interface, and some with an interface that requires a GPS to navigate.

The following are three cleaning utilities that make my list of worthwhile additions, to any computer user’s toolbox – two that I have tested extensively, and one (EasyCleaner), that I’ve been testing for the last few weeks.

EasyCleaner:

EasyCleaner is a small free application that’s capable of cleaning the Windows registry as well as deleting all kinds of unnecessary files, including temp files and backups. It doesn’t stop there though.

While using this excellent little program you can search for duplicate files, manage startup programs, remove invalid shortcuts and add and remove applications. As an added bonus there is even a disk space usage option.

System requirements: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98

Download at: Download.com

CCleaner:

What can you say about CCleaner (the granddaddy of all system cleaners), that hasn’t already been said of this freeware system optimization, privacy, and cleaning tool.

It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. As well, it cleans up traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally, it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. But the best part is that it’s fast; normally taking less than a second to run.

System requirements: Windows Vista, Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98

Download at: Download.com

Comodo System Cleaner:

If you’re looking for a more powerful free solution, than either of the two previously mentioned applications, then Comodo System Cleaner might just be ideal. This free application will do what both EasyCleaner and CCleaner will do, and a whole lot more – and I do mean, a whole lot more.

Fast facts:

Registry Cleaner – Optimizes and repairs your Windows registry by running an in-depth scan to remove, or repair, unnecessary or corrupted registry keys.

Disk Cleaner – This utility lets you quickly clear them all, to free up space and improve performance. Also allows you to schedule regular clean up routines.

Privacy Cleaner – Obliterates your digital paper trail and helps protect you from identity theft by cleaning history, cache, cookies and usage records from Internet browsers, Windows locations, and popular software.

System Settings – With over 50 tweaks in the ‘System Settings’ area alone, you can optimize Windows behavior in a more powerful and intuitive way than ever before.

System Information – Detailed and easily accessible ‘dashboard’ summary of all the hardware and software installed on your computer.

Autorun Manager – Fingertip control over exactly which programs and services start with Windows. Helps improve Windows boot up time, stops unwanted programs from hogging system resources and boosts overall system performance and stability.

File Pending Delete – Provides the ability to delete files that are locked and cannot otherwise be deleted when in Windows ‘User Mode’. Specifying a file with the ‘File Pend Delete’ tool will schedule that file to be deleted immediately after the next system restart.

File Wiper – Allows you to permanently remove confidential or sensitive files from your hard drive. When you ‘delete’ a file in Windows, you are really only removing the reference to that file from the system table. The file itself remains on your drive and could be easily re-opened by data thieves. ‘File Wiper’ ensures that the files you want to delete are comprehensively erased and cannot be recovered.

System requirements: Windows XP, Vista, Win 7 and Server 2003

Download at: Download.com

Update December 10: A number of readers have pointed out that the registry cleaner function, may be too aggressive. Unless you are a highly skilled user, who is used to working with aggressive cleaners, use a less aggressive registry cleaner.

Bonus: What makes this free application even more interesting is; it’s available as a portable program which can easily be run from a USB drive. Great for geeks!

Portable version download at: Download.com

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Stop Being Dirty – Download Free Comodo System Cleaner!

What could be a more powerful free solution, than that old standby CCleaner, which removes unused files, and ensures your privacy by cleaning traces of your online activities? Well, how about Comodo System Cleaner, which will do all that, and much more.

I’m a big fan of Comodo’s products, including their free Firewall and AntiVirus software. So I was expecting big things from Comodo System Cleaner, and I wasn’t disappointed. After considerable testing, I gave this free application a big “thumbs up”.

Fast facts:

Registry Cleaner – Optimizes and repairs your Windows registry by running an in-depth scan to remove, or repair, unnecessary or corrupted registry keys.

Disk Cleaner – This utility lets you quickly clear them all, to free up space and improve performance. Also allows you to schedule regular clean up routines.

Privacy Cleaner – Obliterates your digital paper trail and helps protect you from identity theft by cleaning history, cache, cookies and usage records from Internet browsers, Windows locations, and popular software.

System Settings – With over 50 tweaks in the ‘System Settings’ area alone, you can optimize Windows behavior in a more powerful and intuitive way than ever before.

System Information – Detailed and easily accessible ‘dashboard’ summary of all the hardware and software installed on your computer.

Autorun Manager – Fingertip control over exactly which programs and services start with Windows. Helps improve Windows boot up time, stops unwanted programs from hogging system resources and boosts overall system performance and stability.

File Pending Delete – Provides the ability to delete files that are locked and cannot otherwise be deleted when in Windows ‘User Mode’. Specifying a file with the ‘File Pend Delete’ tool will schedule that file to be deleted immediately after the next system restart.

File Wiper – Allows you to permanently remove confidential or sensitive files from your hard drive. When you ‘delete’ a file in Windows, you are really only removing the reference to that file from the system table. The file itself remains on your drive and could be easily re-opened by data thieves. ‘File Wiper’ ensures that the files you want to delete are comprehensively erased and cannot be recovered.

Free – for both home and business users.

I’m a big fan of “all-in-one” system utilities and I have to admit, I really liked this all-in-one free application, with its simple and effective user interface. I particularly liked the easy access the user interface allows to Windows system settings (even on my Windows 7 machine), which makes tweaking the OS a snap.

As the fast facts point out, this application has a wide range of built in system utilities, which in my view, are perfect for the new, or casual computer user. I should point out however, that the built in registry cleaner, just like all registry cleaners, should be used cautiously.

Here’s why – despite the fact that the registry cleaner has a neat feature; it will restart your machine to test if the registry removal will adversely affect your system, on a test run this module screwed up my game settings.

I’m not blaming the module. It was my own fault, since I did not exercise proper caution. Just shows you – even geeks can be careless! It was not a big deal to recover but……….

What makes this free application even more interesting is; it’s available as a portable program which can easily be run from a USB drive. Great for geeks!

Comodo provides a comparison chart, on their site, which illustrates the differences between their application and the competition, which you may find interesting.

Despite the fact that I’m very impressed with this new offering from Comodo, Ccleaner will remain my “go to” application for routine cleaning. When I need that weekly deep cleaning though, or I need additional system access, I’ll spin up Comodo System Cleaner.

If you’re a casual computer user, Comodo System Cleaner is definitely worth considering as an addition to your system utilities toolbox.

System requirements: Windows XP, Vista, Win 7 and Server 2003

Download at: Download.com

Portable version download at: Download.com

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Maintain Your Machine – 10 + 1 Free Computer System Tools

Renovate Your Computer With 10 + 1 Free System Tools

As well as keeping your machine physically clean, it is always good practice to keep your computer’s operating system and subsystems clean, so that you can get maximum performance from your machine.

With that in mind, I retested some of the free system tools I’ve rated and recommended over the last year or more, that will do a great job of revitalizing your system. These free applications are “the best of breed”, in my view.

If you have favorites that you’d like to see added to this list, then let me know with your comments.

CCleaner

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally, it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. But the best part is that it’s fast; normally taking less than a few seconds to run.

Glary Utilities

Glary Utilities, a free all-in-one utility, is a terrific collection of system tools and utilities to fix, speed up, maintain and protect your PC. Personal experience with this application for the last 18 months has convinced me that a typical user can really benefit by having this application on their system. With this free program you can tweak, repair, optimize and improve your system’s performance; and its ease of operation makes it ideal for less experienced users.

Advanced SystemCare Free 3.3.4

Advanced SystemCare Free is a comprehensive PC care utility that takes a one-click approach to help protect, repair, and optimize your computer. It provides an all-in-one and super convenient solution for PC maintenance and protection. All work will be done with 1 click and 1 minute.

WinPatrol

Do you want to get a better understanding of what programs are being added to your computer? Then WinPatrol is the program for you. With WinPatrol, in your system tray, you can monitor system areas that are often changed by malicious programs.

You can monitor your startup programs and services, cookies and current tasks. Should you need to, WinPatrol allows you to terminate processes and enable, or disable, startup programs. There are additional features that make WinPatrol a very powerful addition to your security applications.

Revo Uninstaller

Revo Uninstaller is a superior program to uninstall programs from your computer. This free program with its advanced and fast algorithm scans before, and after you uninstall an application. After the program’s regular uninstaller runs, you can remove additional unnecessary files, folders and registry keys that are usually left over on your computer. This feature is a definite plus.

RunAlyzer

If you’re looking to track down spyware, or speed up system startup–and you’re technically astute–then RunAlyzer may be just what you need. Run it, and it performs a thorough analysis of all programs and services that run when you start up your computer.

Note: Recommended for advanced users only.

Autoruns

This free utility has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, in my view, and shows you what programs are configured to run during system boot up or login, and the order Windows processes them.

These programs will include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. You can configure Autoruns to show additional locations, including Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and more. Autoruns goes considerably beyond the MSConfig utility bundled with Windows.

Regseeker

The longer you use Windows, the more cluttered your registry can become, especially if you regularly install and uninstall software. Many applications, on being uninstalled, leave behind “orphan” registry entries. They don’t remove all traces of themselves which can cause problems such as sluggish performance, system lockups, or a bloated registry that takes longer to load on startup. With the click of a button, Regseeker will scan your registry for these fragmented files, and safely remove them.

Note: Recommended for advanced users only.

Wise Registry Cleaner

Wise Registry Cleaner is a free, non aggressive application that, as one of my friends says, hits a home run in the safety department. As it searches the Registry for obsolete/redundant registry keys, it differentiates between those that are “safe to fix”, and those that are “not fully safe to fix”.

To provide the greatest safety factor for those who are uncomfortable, or unfamiliar, with cleaning the Registry, the application’s default removal setting is “safe to fix”.

Fresh UI

One of the oldest and most well established free Windows tweaking applications, Freshdevices’ Fresh UI is a powerful tool that allows you to configure and optimize your version of Windows.

This small (1.24 MB) program has a clean, easy to understand interface that gives you access to hundreds of system settings, some of which are hidden, and others that are just hard to find. The interface is organized by section for easy navigation, and it is complete with detailed descriptions for easy reference.

Auslogics Disk Defrag

The program is extremely easy to use, does not require any analysis phase and is faster than most disk defragmentation software I’ve tested in the past, and it’s free. In my view, it’s one more maintenance process in helping me get the maximum performance out of my hardware.

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