Computer maintenance tasks are usually boring and tiring, but you really need to spend some time on them if you want your system to run as smoothly as the first day.

Luckily there are programs like Advanced Vista Optimizer 2008, a comprehensive system optimizing application that's been specially developed for Windows Vista, and which makes computer maintenance much easier. Advanced Vista Optimizer contains all the tools you need to analyze, clean, repair and optimize your computer, all of them distributed among several categories in a very attractive interface.

These categories include optimization, security, customization and cleaning tools among others, and let you perform many different tasks in just a few steps. Advanced Vista Optimizer also analyzes your system and displays a complete report about it. Other interesting features are a mass file renamer, a junk file remover, a folder hiding tool, a file splitter and a duplicate file finder, to name a few.

Of course, some of these tools are more complicated than others – memory usage optimization, for example - and novice users may not find them that easy at first sight. Others though are quite straightforward and self-explaining. In any case, the program includes a thorough Help section that will help you with any problem you may have.

The only thing I didn't like about Advanced Vista Optimizer 2008 is the fact that it performs a system scan right away the first time you run it, without even asking for permission.

Advanced Vista Optimizer 2008 is a full featured maintenance tool that includes anything you need to clean your PC and improve its performance.

Download Advanced Vista Optimizer 2008 1.0 in Softonic

GameThrust sets the standard for PC and internet optimizing software. GameThrust increases overall speed and performance your computer and internet connection is capable of. Very easy to use, fully compliant with all versions of Microsoft Windows and adjusts itself to your computer specifications.

Makes direct changes to system registry and system files to enhance memory, screen drawing, animations, refresh rates, CPU threading speeds, internet speed. Automatically adjusts settings and changes made based on computer and internet specifications, complete fault tolerance system implemented.

Deep system analyzer and diagnostic features which attempt to find and repair any potential problems with the computer affecting its performance. Bring your gaming to the next level.

Download GameThrust 1.6.16.2008 in Softonic

Is your PC slow in boot-up and operation? Magic Speed will make your PC faster and more efficient in five simple steps. The software package includes startup management, fixing registry errors, Disk clean-up, and memory management. It is free of charge and does not require special PC knowledge.

Magic Speed will analyze the applications that are loaded with your PC boot-up. Are you sure that you really need these applications? Being loaded, they occupy PC memory and slow down PC operation. A check-up will also include virus and spyware tests thanks to a new anti-virus engine updated on a daily basis.

Registry errors also negatively affect PC efficiency. By deleting temporary files, you will increase free space on your hard drive and speed up its operation. Make use of the unique Boost Windows option - by adding it to the startup you will experience real improvement of your PC operation.

Download Magic Speed 3.2 in Softonic

Getting the most out of your PC without physically upgrading it is an ongoing conundrum that developers are constantly trying to tackle.

HS WinPerfect aims to boost your PC's performance by enhancing it in several important areas including internet, memory usage as well as cleaning up any old temporary or old files. The devlopers have bult the program on one of their main cleaning products - HS CleanDisk Pro but this is much more than a cleaning program as it optimises as well. It tries to detect the kind of use that your PC has been subjected to - i.e. gaming or wordprocessing etc and then tweak your system apprortiately. This includes speeding up your internet connection, freeing up your CPU and accelerating the way your RAM handles images. The problem with programs such as this that try to do everything is that usually, they are good at one thing but not good all rounders. In this case, the cleaner is excellent but the optimiser is very dodgy to say the least. It does reveal a whole list of registry entries that could be potentially harmful but even after cleaning them, it doesn't seem to make much of a difference to the speed or performance of your system.

A good cleaner but be wary of false promises about the optimisation wonders of this program.

Download HS WinPerfect 6.16 in Softonic

Repair and cure your Windows with 1 click using WindowsCare. Unlike other utilities, Advanced WindowsCare does not do simple registry cleaning. It thoroughly examines Windows system, accurately detects the bottleneck for slowing down and crashing, and fixes them. With the novel system technology, Advanced WindowsCare empowers you to run your computer faster, more stably and more efficiently than with many other system tweaking utilities.

Download Advanced WindowsCare 3 2.01 in Softonic

Maintenance tasks are usually tiring and boring. This is why a tool like PC Health Optimizer is such a great, lucky find.

This complete set of tools contains pretty much everything you need to perform basic maintenance routines on your system and keep it in perfect shape. You'll find a junk file cleaner, a memory optimizer, a Registry cleaner, a PC analysis tool and a file shredder, among many others. There's even an anti-spyware tool to make sure your PC is safe and clean.

All tools in PC Health Optimizer are perfectly organized in different categories and presented in an attractive, nicely designed interface. All you have to do is browse the program's categories and select the one you want, which will open in a separate window. They're very easy to use but there's also a complete help section in case you need it.

PC Health Optimizer may not include as many maintenance tools as other commercial apps, and also lacks advanced features – such as, for example, the ability to schedule tasks – but it's really a great choice for an unbeatable price.

PC Health Optimizer Free Edition will help you improve your system's performance with a complete pack of maintenance utilities, all neatly organized in a nice interface.

Download PC Health Optimizer Free Edition 2.5 in Softonic

Comprising four focus modules (System Cleaner, Privacy Protector, System Maintenance, Special Tools) designed to do everything from cleaning your Registry to removing spyware infestations. Super Utilities is a megamart of system-maintenance tools designed to keep your computer running smoothly.

System Cleaner features a spyware-removal component as well as a handful of tools for cleaning your disk and Registry and for performing routine maintenance tasks. Privacy Protector lets you hide or lock folders, clean your system tracks, password-protect applications that hold sensitive data, quickly and securely delete files, and hide IE Favorites and Start menu items from view.

System Maintenance includes Task Manager-like functions, Internet Explorer customization tools, and valuable system information. Special Tools lets you schedule shutdown times, locate and back up your drivers, identify space-hogging folders, and modify the Super Utilities context menu options.

Download Super Utilities Pro 2008.8.0.1992 in Softonic

DTweak is a complex tweaker for Windows Vista, and with this release it supports also Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server: With DTweak you can defragment disks and registers, clean file and registry systems, tune computer performance, monitor your hard drive's health and performance, optimize and increase the speed of your Windows Vista system without manually modifying registers or ini files.

Download DTweak 3.11 in Softonic

Though Windows has a quite high degree of customization, there are certain features that are way too hidden for the average user. This is when a tool like TweakNow WinSecret comes in really handy.

With this Windows tweaker you'll be able to access even the most remotely customizable option in Windows XP or Windows Vista, changing not only visual elements that modify the system's appearance, but also its behavior and level of security. All tweaks are conveniently categorized in an easy-to-browse interface that lets you find any of them in just a couple of clicks.

On the one hand, I liked some of the options offered by the program a lot, like the security tweaks that allow you to restrict access to certain system's functions and tools. On the other hand, to be honest, I was disappointed with some categories, such the Applications one for only enabling me to tweak Internet Explorer and Outlook Express or some other tweaks that are easily accessible without using this program - even for a novice user. Nevertheless the overall impression is a very positive one, as TweakNow WinSecret can really make a difference in your daily work with Windows.

TweakNow WinSecret features many varied tweaks, some of them quite obvious, some of them not, with which you can fully customize the system's appearance and behavior.

Download TweakNow WinSecret Professional 1.5 beta in Softonic

If you're suffering from a slow PC then it's probably wither your RAM or your processor that can't handle what you are putting through it.

However, sometimes it can simply be because their are malicious or unnesscary processes hogging your system. That's where AlacrityPC steps in which is a simple solution which removes unnecessary processes system and frees-up your system resources for programs that need them. Once you've stopped the processes and finished with the program that needed the extra resources, AlacrityPC once again reallocates system resources to those that were using it previously. This is probably most useful when using video sites such as YouTube which can easily make your PC hang due to the large system resources that downlaoding and displaying video, especially in full screen mode, can require. In addition, the program comes with a small defragmentation tool which doesn't seem that efective and can ironically, slow your system down anyway so best not to use it if you've got another solution.

A useful automatic solution for those suffering from a slow PC but won't be of much use to those on higher spec machines

Download AlacrityPC 1.0 in Softonic

RegToy is a small application that enables you to tweak a variety of hidden settings in Windows XP, customize your system and improve its performance.

The tweaks offered in the program are conveniently organized into categories. You can also search for an specific tweak by using keywords in RegToy's built-in search tool. Besides tweaking, you'll be able to remove invalid registry keys, change your wallpaper according to a scheduled period of time and clean your hard drive, amongst other utilities.

Download RegToy 0.6.2.2 in Softonic

Registry problems are the common cause of Windows crashes, error messages, and degraded performance. RegDoctor is designed to safely and quickly clean and repair Windows registry problems with a few simple mouse clicks.

The app uses an intelligent, high-performance detection engine to accurately identify missing and invalid references in your Windows registry. Identified registry problems are listed and rated by risk level using an easy to understand color-coded system.

You can choose to have RegDoctor automatically repair all identified problems, or choose which problems to repair immediately. RegDoctor also offers a Restore feature to create registry backup files, giving you the capability to safely undo any registry changes.

The auto-start feature of RegDoctor helps to support its regular use. By using RegDoctor regularly to clean and repair your registry, your system should not only be more stable but it will also help Windows and your software run faster.

Download RegDoctor 1.98 in Softonic

If you feel your computer needs a good cleaning and some fixing, you could find PC Checkup interesting. It's very easy to run and most of its functions are also free to use. Start by pressing the Clean & Secure button which deletes unused registry keys and values entries. It also cleans up items in the network cache and in the temp folder.

The Analyze and Fix tool works partially and will fix just half of the entries unless you register and pay the subscription fee. The Speed & Defrag function though fully works and it is useful to improve the general speed of a PC. Bear in mind that this is something you can also do efficiently from the properties menu of your hard drive.

PC Checkup probably doesn't offer much innovation in the cleaning and fixing list of available programs. It is surely an extra option to check the status of your PC and operate some function to restore it to optimum health. Consider though that what the program does automatically, you could do manually with the embedded functions of your Operating System.

Are you about to have your PC Spring cleaning done? Try this easy to use application which will clean unused files, fix registry errors and defrag your PC's hard drive.

Download PC Checkup 3.25 in Softonic

TweakVista is an all in one control panel for your Vista computer. We were slightly put off by the cluttered interface, especially the welcome screen with its lists of news and recommendations. Annoyingly, the program window can't be resized and you can't scroll down a list.

Despite this cosmetic drawback, TweakVista does offer some pretty useful tools. You can set a user profile according to what use you will make of your PC, like if you'll be playing games a lot. The program also allows you to tweak internet and power performances depending on your habits, although we suggest you leave it to default. Setting your PC to a mode which is too aggressive may cause your PC to crash.

We were well impressed by the assessment tool to benchmark your PCs capabilities against others but much less by the resources section, which all in all, equals to what you find in your PC's task manager. Many of the functions in TweakVista also link to some of your PCs default tools like the Disk Cleaner and in some ways the application those turn into some sort of dashboard for all your Vista optimization.

TweakVista is a mix of effective optimization tools and other more basic, run-of-the-mill functions that you'll find in your Control Panel. If used well, it should improve your Vista PC's performance.

Download TweakVista 1.10 in Softonic

If you want to keep your PC in good condition and running as smoothly as the very first day you switched it on, you've got two options: either you download a dozen different system optimization apps or you just use TuneUp Utilities, a nice piece of software that has turned into an essential maintenance toolkit for your PC.

The new version of TuneUp Utilities brings many exciting new features that make the program even better. It has not only improved many of the tools included in previous editions, but has also added new ones such as a defrag tool or a repair wizard. Also, you'll notice a completely revamped interface which makes the program even easier to use: tools are classified into several categories as usual, but now there are also direct links to the most frequently used ones. As for the other areas in the program, TuneUp 2008 maintains the same clear, intuitive and eye-catching design that has made it so popular among users.

The first thing you see when launching the program is a nagging window, a short message reminding you that this is not free software and that you have a 30 day trial period. It's a bit of a nuisance because it appears every time you run TuneUp, but no big deal.

Featured tools range from customizing the appearance of your Windows installation to editing the Registry and covering many important aspects of your system. You'll be able to optimize its overall performance, gain disk space by erasing useless files and even recover those documents you've deleted by accident. TuneUp can also generate a highly detailed report on the state of your PC. The good thing is that, no matter how many changes you make, you can always go back to your PC's previous state thanks to TuneUp Rescue Center.

TuneUp is seamlessly integrated into Windows. New commands are added to context menus to shred or undelete files in your Recycle Bin. Also, you'll find a new shortcut named "1-Click Maintenance" on the Desktop, which enables you to perform a quick maintenance check-up and which has also been optimized in TuneUp 2008. This is certainly a very handy tool which we recommend running every week as a periodic maintenance task.

TuneUp Utilities gathers pretty much all the maintenance and optimization tools you need into one efficient, easy-to-use application. You couldn't ask for more.

Download TuneUp Utilities 2008 7.0.7992 in Softonic

System optimisation is a bit like security in that those who understand it, know how important it is and how to alter their browsing and usage habits to achieve it. However, there are a huge number of titles that claim to offer a helping hand in streamlining your system, many of which promise the world but don’t deliver the goods. The makers of Smart PC have put plenty of effort into making an original interface but have they carried that over and made a tool that lives up to its name?

On first opening the program, it’s not immediately obvious what you’re supposed to do - its vaguely labelled buttons are plastered left, right and centre of the interface. Thankfully, as you mouse over each, a separate window gives you a more detailed explanation and you can get started on whatever you need to do without complication. Getting stuck into the options will generally give a good idea of who the software is aimed at and judging from those of Smart PC, it has been made with inexperienced users in mind. Thanks to the very restricted level of control the user has, there are several important settings that haven’t been included. In comparison to a free alternative that does the same job, CCleaner, Smart PC is lacking secure deletion, an update check and most importantly, it only examines the cookies from Internet Explorer, totally ignoring those of Firefox.

Smart PC regains some kudos with its log file system, which by default saves fifteen log and undo files, should the registry changes have an adverse affect on your PC. The clean and optimize features are run-of-the-mill for this kind of software and don’t bring anything to the table that you wouldn’t be able to do with a few clicks in the regular Windows interface.

The most striking thing about Smart PC is that it practically holds the users at arm’s length from doing anything that could damage their computer but while doing so also limits the amount of optimisation that can take place. As a simple click-and-forget solution it’s great, but for more serious optimisation, it makes better sense to use the free CCleaner, or to start studying so you can get your hands dirty with the registry.

Download Smart PC 4.3 in Softonic

TweakVI was designed for easy tweaking and optimizing a Windows Vista based computer. It allows you to tweak hundreds of hidden features of Windows Vista, optimize your machine and customize it to your needs.

Unlike other tweaking utilities, TweakVI bundles lots of different utilities in one. It was developed to combine both tuning and optimizing features to increase the speed of your Windows Vista system. It's the worlds first software for Windows Vista to combine both customization, tweaking and optimization features.

The main application of TweakVI together with 13 plugins is available completely for free. Additional plugins can be downloaded after subscribing.

Take a look at what TweakVI has to offer:

• Activate hundreds of hidden Windows Vista settings
• Clean your registry
• Activate system and software restrictions
• Display detailed system information
• Create a 256 MB RAM drive
• Protect your privacy
• Clean your harddrive
• Manage TrueType fonts
• Improve your internet connection
• Optimize your CPU
• Optimize your RAM

Download TweakVI Basic 1.0.1075 in Softonic

PC Booster contains all the secrets to speeding up and optimizing your PC, without spending more money on additional hardware.

It turbo-charges your PC to make it much more stable by preventing system inefficiencies that cause crashes, lockups and slowdowns of your computer.

By running PC Booster's Auto Tune, you'll be left with a faster and more responsive system that is less prone to crashes and fatal error messages. So you have no more troubles running important programs or memory consuming multimedia or Internet applications.

Download PC Booster 5.0 in Softonic

Modify Windows settings, file system and services to improve system performance. Increase startup and shutdown speed, disable annoying CD autorun and unwanted error reporting features.

BoostSpeed will keep monitoring your system for possible optimizations and let you know if such optimizations are possible. You can also run the System Optimization Wizard to periodically optimize your PC. Adjust your PC for faster images, music and software downloads, increased browsing speed and reliable Internet connections. View your download speed and graphs.

Get rid of junk on the disks and registry of your PC. Remove hazardous and space-wasting files left by untidy programs and crashes of your system. Badly written applications constantly steal memory without giving it back. That's why your PC becomes unstable with time and you have to reboot. BoostSpeed automatically frees up computer memory to gain additional performance boost. You can also manually recover memory and clipboard.

Download AusLogics BoostSpeed 3.7.2.680 in Softonic

Sparkle XP takes a radical alternative to Windows speed problems by creating an entirely new configuration for your PC. SparkleXP releases RAM and processes so that your PC operates at its optimum performance level at all times.

This program is certainly comprehensive. It takes a look at the taskbar, the Start menu, the RAM, registry, profiles of each user and hardware preferences in trying to optimise your system. It works by releasing a little bit of everything here and there so that you end up with a cumulatively faster system. The setup is very simple - a wizard will guide you through the installation of SparkleXP and depending on your needs, you can choose to preserve your Internet, AntiVirus and Firewall settings. At the next reboot you will find a new menu where you can select which System to load including your new lightweight SparkleXP desktop.

This is an effective program that certainly speeds up your PC although your new lightweight desktop will lack many tools that you may need access to.

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