Tweaking Windows XP: Specialized Software
Published on: d mmmm yyyy by by Thomas ClatsTotal views: 16874 Views today: 672
I always try to keep track of the latest technologies in computer maintenance. While tech experts like myself usually prefer doing all tweaks manually, most people simply install an application or two to handle the following maintenance tasks:
- — boot optimization
- — uninstalling old applications
- — disk checking
- — defragmentation
- — hard drive cleanup
- — spyware and virus detection
I'm often asked to recommend a good tool that alone could tweak XP properly. Most of the tools tried by me only promised to fix the problems.
However, there were a few that did a great job and included most of the key elements to tweak XP.
I've tried to explain what each of the programs does. See the brief comparison below:
3) 
PCKeeper
Summary: PCKeeper has everything a user would expect of a computer tweaking utility - antivirus, hard drive cleanup, disk checker, defragmentation, startup manager, context menu manager and smart uninstaller. It also includes a good deal of extra features - file recovery, shredder, data hider (for data security), duplicates finder and two extra-cool services - Anti-Theft (great for securing a laptop) and Geek on Demand (24/7 support on ANY technical questions). PCKeeper is a tool I would recommend to anyone looking to tweak a PC, and I give it a 10 out of 10!
Screenshot: PCKeeper Price: $39.95 Rating: 10/10
2) 
PC Tools Performance Toolkit
Summary: Performance Toolkit is a little bit more advanced, although it lacks junk cleanup functionality - it has tools for startup management, disk check and defragmentation. It's also got two additional features - data recovery and privacy protection.
What I don't like about programs like this one is that they never tell you how exactly they are "improving performance" - and you're left blindfolded with the big "Clean now" button in front of you. Creepy.
Screenshot: Performance Toolkit Price: $39.95 Rating: 8.5/10
1) 
System Mechanic
Summary: System Mechanic does the basic routine of defragmentation, startup management and junk cleanup. Its spyware protection is quite weak and fails to detect many dangerous spyware and virus threats.
The biggest drawback for me is that System Mechanic tends to run background scans while you use your computer, thus slowing it down. While this application can be used for specific tasks, it obviously doesn't stand the competition.
Screenshot: System Mechanic Price: $39.95 Rating: 7/10
To sum up, I should say that specialized maintenance utilities can be a great solution and a major time-saver for both novice and expert users. I hope my overview helps you decide if you need such a tool on your PC.
My personal choice would definitely be PCKeeper - and with a price tag of $40 it's a hell of a bargain!
-just_me- dd.mm.yyyy
hi guys, thank you for the review, reasonable arguments for PCKeeper)
Lou dd.mm.yyyy
2 blacksmith - better not use system mechanic on older systems as it causes crashes. dunno about other programs
-your-nightmare- dd.mm.yyyy
hi guys! anyone knows some cheaper or freeware optimizers?
blacksmith dd.mm.yyyy
can these tools run on Win98?
alice dd.mm.yyyy
r there any license give-aways 4 these programs?
WinFreak dd.mm.yyyy
thought my pc was at a dead end cause it was so sluggish and would always turn off - so annoying. pckeeper brought it back to life and i'm not kidding!
red_fox dd.mm.yyyy
I use Performance Toolkit. It lacks junk cleanup, but I'm satisfied with other features. The problem you mention here is not that serious.
elife dd.mm.yyyy
PCKeeper is awesome! It's simple, neat and fast, and contains sooo many useful things! There's no manual for PCKeeper but each utility has a description and it's not hard to guess what it does)))
Snowdog dd.mm.yyyy
I had System Mechanic and it used to remove not only junk files when cleaning. And yes, you are right about background scans :(
Recommended for Windows tweaks and optimization.
Recommended:- — Tweak Windows Vista
- — Optimizer for 64-bit OS
- — Windows 7 tune-up
Donna dd.mm.yyyy
i luv my Windows XP and don't wanna switch to Windows 7. think i'll try some of these tools... maybe PCKeeper, as it's got a free trial