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Review of PC Setup & Tuning Tools

Optimise your PC with file cleaners, Internet protection and file recovery setup tools

File Cleaner Setup & Tuning Tools

These programs clean up unwanted files that use up disk space and can slow down your system. Most also include a Registry clean up utility (back it up first).

• Ashampoo WinOptimizer. The best all rounder? Free trial.
• Security Task Manager 17. 30 Days trial, then $29. The best startup task manager, with full descriptions helping you decide what to keep.
• Win Cleaner One CLick. Nice. Almost as good as Ashampoo Win Optimiser, except no startup task manager.
• CCleaner system optimisation tool. Free, good for file cleanup except no startup manager.
• Advanced Windows Care 2. Free, good, medium on startup processes.

Not recommended

• Dedaulus System Cleaner. Russian, chunky interface, best avoided?
• Easy Cleaner

File Recovery Tools

File recovery tools enable you to recover lost or deleted files that may be still on hard drive.

• PC Inspector File Recovery
• PC Tools File Recover
• Recuva, seems simpler

Targeted Tools

The following tools are targeted at specific needs.

• KL Pass Decrypt, recovers passwords hidden by ***
• Norton Removal Tool, to remove a failed installation or a damaged Norton product
• Shoot the Messenger, gives users complete control over the obtrusive Windows Messenger service.
• Windows XP / Run / MSConfig
• Windows XP / Run / Services.MSC

Reference Sites

• www.annoyances.org Claims to be the most complete collection of information assembled for and by actual users of Microsoft Windows.
• www.howtofixcomputers.com, forum / bulletin board / help desk.

Related Sites

• Internet Security

• Internet and Broadband