Free SlimCleaner Final – Optimizer, Uninstaller, Shredder and Anti- Hijacker Built In

As regular readers here know, I’m a BIG fan of community based applications – applications in which combined user experiences are used to drive the functionality of an application. What could be better, and more useful, than to use the experiences of the very people who use the product? If there’s a better way for companies to “listen” to the customer, I’ve yet to hear it.

Last year, I reviewed a series of impressive products (including SlimCleaner Beta) from SlimWare Utilities, a U.S.-based software company which states that its mission is to provide crowd-sourced applications that “will revolutionize the performance of personal computers.”

Having experienced the value of the company’s first three crowd-sourced applications, I’d have to agree – this developer is on the right track.

As of yesterday, SlimCleaner’s final release became available for download and, I think you’ll find this application worthy of your consideration as an addition to your system utility toolbox.

Click on any graphic to expand to original size.

For illustrative purposes, I’ve selected only the Windows clean function. But notice, the application offers additional cleaning capabilities – including Applications and Browsers.

The optimization function allows access to startup entries and most importantly, system services. Optimizing services can often improve system response time.

The built-in application uninstaller essential duplicates the “add/remove” applet in Windows. Still, having access to this function in an all-in-one application like SlimCleaner, is a helpful addition.

I’m partial to file shredders so I’m happy to see one included here. I’m impressed with the choice of selectable shred levels.

If system security is high on your list, then you’ll be pleased to see SlimCleaner added a “Hijack Log” function which includes the ability to query selectable entries through a cloud based AV (Virus Total).

I tested this feature and the results, returned in just a few seconds, indicated the selected startup entry was clean.

Application settings are uncomplicated, and very easy to understand. You’ll notice in the following screen capture that you will be given the opportunity to install the program to a USB key.

Freeware applications often fall short in providing comprehensive help. SlimCleaner’s help setup on the other hand, is quite extensive – as the following screen capture indicates.

Finally, the most common Windows tools are easily accessible through the applications GUI. Notice both a CPU and a RAM usage meter in the following graphic. Theses meters are viewable in all GUI Views.

Fast facts:

Optimizer – Disable non-essential background process and services to make your computer run faster. SlimCleaner uses up-to-date cloud data to customize settings for optimal performance.

Uninstaller – Unlike the Windows uninstaller, SlimCleaner’s uninstaller helps you make an informed decision. When it lists the programs on your computer, you instantly get ratings and user feedback, telling you what the web community thinks of each application – whether it’s good, optional, or just a waste of space.

Shredder – Rest easy knowing that you have the ability to not only delete private data, but shred it. SlimCleaner lets you remove files using a process that makes it impossible for them to be recovered.

Hijack Log – Get a fully interactive list of all the software components running on your PC: Toolbars, Services, Startup Entries, Codecs, Drivers, ActiveX Objects and more. Take control of your computer’s functions by getting on-demand information about any given entry.

Windows Tools – One-Click access to all of Windows’ monitoring and diagnostics tools. Don’t hunt for the stats and information you need, get a head’s up display. From one panel you can access the Device Manager, Security Settings, Backup and Restore, System Information and more.

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

Download at: Developer’s site – Slimcleaner.com

If you’re looking for a freeware application that not only gets in there and cleans out the deep dirt, but offers a range of additional functionality, then SlimCleaner should definitely make your short list.

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Internet Security? Who Really Gives A Damn!

I noticed this morning, that USA Today (TechnologyLive), had linked back to an article I wrote earlier this year on SlimWare Utilities ( tools designed to clean up, and maintain, computer systems).

At the risk of sounding ungrateful (which I’m not), I would have  much preferred that they had linked back to an article dealing with computer security. Allow me to draw an analogy to explain this – an article on “How to Upgrade Your Kitchen”, has limited value if crooks have just stolen the kitchen sink.

The reality is – we are immersed in a mess that has reached virtually unmanageable proportions. We are now at a full blown crisis stage vis a vis Internet security.

The tech speak, which this situation engenders, reminds me in a sense of the political rhetoric we are constantly exposed to – everyone has identified the real problem/no one has identified the real problem; everyone has a problem solution/no one has a solution, everyone seems to discuss it/no one truly discusses it. The end result? It appears as if no one seems to give a damn. So, we just keep on piling up the victims of cyber crime.

Finger pointing, and finger wagging, is the order of the day. It’s the developers fault; it’s the users’ fault; it’s the very nature of the backbone of  the Internet; it’s the lack of effective law enforcement; it’s the lack of truly effective security applications; Internet security is a business, so it’s unlikely anyone is going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg; …………… Round and round it goes.

I continue to shake my head in wonderment over the kafuffle caused by the BlackBerry conflict with Middle East countries requesting access to encrypted BlackBerry corporate email services.

The truth of the matter is – on a broad scale, the number of people affected is miniscule, as compared to the number of people impacted by cyber crime EVERY day.  Yet, this is one story that won’t go away – one that is constantly updated by mainstream media.

Criminal activity, on the other hand, that has substantial impact on consumers, business, and government (think Stuxnet), continues to get short shift. Talk about reality displacement!

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Slim Down And Improve Your Computer With 3 New Free Tools From SlimWare Utilities

Community based applications – applications in which combined user experiences are used to drive the functionality of the application, are gaining popularity. As well they should. What could be better, and more useful, than to use the experiences of the very people who use the product. If there’s a better way for companies to “listen” to the customer, I’ve yet to hear it.

Regular readers here, are familiar with WOT, and Immunet Protect, two community driven security applications. Recently, we reviewed, and gave high marks to Cloudmark DesktopOne, a free community driven anti-spam desktop application.

Now, a new player on the block, SlimWare Utilities, a U.S.-based software company has joined the race to develop community driven applications which are more responsive to users’ needs.

The company sees its mission as providing crowd-sourced applications which “will revolutionize the performance of personal computers.” And, as part of that strategy, SlimWare recently released three Beta products – SlimComputer, SlimCleaner, and SlimDrivers.

After having quickly test driven all three of these free Beta applications, I have to agree – this company is on the right track. These are very substantial applications, chock full of features, that do exactly as the the developers state, with a minimum of fuss and bother.

Here’s how the developers put it:

Slimware Utilities utilizes community feedback and non-personally identifiable information about computer configurations to aggregate and make personalized recommendations for each computer that connects to our cloud.

This means users of SlimWare Utilities applications get real time information that helps them optimize, strengthen, and enhance their personal computing experience.

SlimComputer FREE – Beta

Fast facts:

Removes unwanted pre-installed software, such as trial programs and promotions, from new machines.

Maintains unwanted, pre-installed software in the SlimComputer cloud for later re-install if needed.

Optimizes start-up and service processes using a crowd-sourced approach for recommendations.

Allows users to remove and custom- ize toolbars to restore original Internet experience.

Speeds computer start-up and performance of an operating system and its software.

Provides a single dashboard for access to powerful built-in Windows tools.

Each application is driven by the same type of user interface. Easy to understand, and unlikely to cause confusion even for a relatively inexperienced user.

The screen capture below shows my first run with SlimComputer’s unwanted software function.

Running this test, on this particular machine, was a little unfair, since this machine is just about as tight as it can get. The test did however, return one recommendation, which, I chose to ignore.

SlimCleaner FREE – Beta

Fast facts:

The world’s first cloud-based solution for repairing and optimizing computers at the user level.

Combines all the essential tools IT professionals need for cleaning, updating and maintaining computers in a single dashboard.

Uses community-sourcing approach to combine the usage of IT professionals and determine real-world, personalized optimizations for the fastest, coolest, online experience.

provides quick access to Windows Tools IT professionals use on a daily basis to improve computer performance and fix problems in functionality.

I’m a big fan of CCleaner, but I found this application to much more flexible. Especially in terms of the number of applications which it addresses.

You’ll notice in the following screen capture that you will be given the opportunity to install the program to a USB key.

SLIMDRIVERS FREE – BETA – automated driver updates:

Fast facts:

Automatically scans hardware to determine the right driver and actively downloads and installs the most current driver directly from the manufacturer.

Updates driver software to provide the best communication and function for sound cards, printers, video, motherboards, Webcams, Bluetooth devices, flip video devices, Smart- phones, USB drives, routers, Windows and other peripherals and operating systems.

Optimizes the interaction between software and hardware, making applications and devices run faster and minimizing system errors, freezes and crashes.

Free driver update applications are very hard to come by. And, even if you can find one, generally the restrictions make them virtually useless. Not so with this application.

The following screen shots shows the application located new drivers for my video device, as well as a new driver for my audio device.

In the past, running Beta software could be challenging, but I have noticed in the last year or two, Beta software can often be as stable as the final release.

Still, since each of these applications is in Beta, take sensible precautions prior to running any of them. This should include setting a new restore point.

Note: The tests I ran on these applications were quick tests only. As well, I did not test every function.

System requirements: Windows – tested on Win 7 Enterprise 32 bit.

Download all, or selected applications at: the developers site.

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