optimized

Trial limits use

This program offers the tools to optimize your PC's performance, but with most of its features disabled for the trial, we had no way of knowing if it performs as promised. What little bit we did get to experience proved to be sluggish and often times unresponsive.

PC Optimizer Pro has a straightforward user interface. Menu commands for scanning your registry, erasing tracks, and shredding files run down the left side of the window. Each command's details and actions are displayed in the same window. No matter which command we selected, the program quickly scanned and produced results. … Read more

Game Booster pumps up your system

Normally, I am very skeptical of software that claims to make your computer faster or increase the speed of your connection to the Internet. I've never seen any of them actually deliver.

So when I came across Game Booster, released by IObit on Monday, I thought, "Ah! Another useless piece of junk. It won't boost anything!" Curiosity made me try it anyway. And I have to admit that I was wrong, though not entirely.

First off, the app works. It improve your games' performance by turning off other software and services that would otherwise run in the background the whole time. This helps free up the system resources, making them available for the game you are about to play.

The application is very simple. Once launched, it gives you a list of services running and software running in the background that it deems unnecessary for gaming. There's also a big button labeled "Switch to Gaming Mode." Pressing this button will stop everything on the list, making the system even more ready for the real action.

Once you are done with the gaming, you can click on the same button--now labeled "Back to Normal Mode"--and Game Booster will restart all the services it stopped earlier to bring the computer back to normal operating status. … Read more

One-stop program control

Windows-based computers come with an almost dizzying number of options, from Internet Explorer to Notepad and everything in between. Trying to manage all these functions may be a lot easier for users with Fresh UI.

This free download gives users an unprecedented look and incredible control over their system. The Fresh UI display is that of an expandable file tree, giving a general look at all programs that can be tinkered with. This overview is what really makes this program special. By erasing the countless minutes that could be spent opening each individual program and learning how to make alterations … Read more

Freeware optimizes images side by side

Anyone who has posted images to a Web site or blog knows that making the image "Internet-friendly" is crucial to fast page-loading times. Similarly, optimizing images for e-mail is important because sending enormous image files through your e-mail client can cause problems for those with slower connection speeds. There are several software tools available to reformat and optimize your images, but I found one recently that's free, easy, and effective.

RIOT (Radical Image Optimization Tool) (Free) for Windows takes the side-by-side interface approach for painless image optimization. Those who have used Adobe ImageReady will immediately recognize the … Read more

Cluttered interface

Like its free counterpart, AnVir Task Manager Pro offers users a one-stop shop for managing their system's running processes and applications. After putting it to the test, we found very few discernible differences between the two.

The program's user interface is a bit overwhelming. It uses tabs to distinguish system categories, such as start-up, applications, processes, and services. Command buttons at the top of the window give you the ability to kill processes, block processes, free memory, and select a parent process. The bottom of the window details CPU, memory, and disk usage, but it's cluttered and … Read more

Lackluster performance

1 Click Boost is a diagnostic program that is supposed to quickly optimize your system's performance. However, when we put it to the test, we found no discernible difference in our system's memory and Internet connection speeds.

The user interface is colorful and easy to navigate. Menu shortcuts at the top of the window organize the program's functions into categories: Internet, Memory, Process, and Cache. Within each function are tune-up options. For example, under the Internet function, we could choose to enable automatic discovery and acknowledge optimization. Thankfully, the program does include an extensive Help file to … Read more

Powerful memory optimizer

If you run a lot of computer games or other memory-hogging apps, you'll want to check out this toolbox for managing your system's memory usage. Setting thresholds for compressing or releasing memory is made simple with Memory Booster Gold, as is setting up a key combination to release memory on the fly.

Memory Booster Gold launches an attractive, user-friendly interface that's easy to understand and navigate. Although it offers many features, the well-designed interface isn't cluttered. We liked the liberal use of slide bars, which provide a solid visual for users to understand the levels of … Read more

Overwhelming options

Nothing could be easier than one click to change and customize Windows XP settings, but even with guidance, the novice user will be overwhelmed with all of this program's options.

Ashampo PowerUp XP is listed as freeware, but you will have to register to get it. The demo version is only good for 10 days. The well-organized interface is easy to follow, with a left-hand sash that leads to the seven main categories, which includes Windows, Boot Options, and Security. The main display depends on which category you pick, but each section is organized the same way, with check … Read more

Optimizing toolbox suitable for home users

If you're a home user with low-security issues, it's worth trying this user-friendly toolbox of optimizing utilities. Nicely designed with quick performance, Glary Utilities Pro will appeal to less experienced users.

Glary Utilities Pro launches a simply but nicely designed, tabbed interface for performing system cleanup and maintenance. Its basic scan includes a Registry cleaner, shortcuts fixer, startup manager, temporary files cleaner, tracks eraser (activity history and Internet traces), and a spyware and adware remover. Determining how to use this utility is very easy, thanks to its clear-cut design and organization.

Everything performed well in our tests. We … Read more

Lacks a backup feature

It requires very little skill to use this system cleanup tool, but that's not necessarily a good thing when you're dealing with the Registry. Ashampoo Magical Optimizer is so easy to use because it removes most of the control from the user.

The colorful interface gives you the option of automatic or manual optimization. What you won't find is a way to back up your files beforehand. This safety net is a standard feature for most Registry cleaners, and one we want in place before any files get deleted. You can select the kinds of files you … Read more