Do Those 'Speed Up Your PC' Programs Really Work? - Comments Page 1

One thing you should have mentioned: Windows 7 does not need the user to run defragmenting software. That's because Windows 7 defaults to the Scheduler automatically running the built-in defragmenter once a week.

I've tried a few of the "free download" cleaners. And you'r right. The worst one for me was "Speedy PC" After the scan, it will clean for $39.00. I didn't want it so tried to get out of the program. It wouldn't let me get out. Rebootingh wiped out the boot sector. Had to REinstall XP, and I lost all my e-mail files & addresses. I will NEVER try of them again, unless I have a friend who has used it.

The only thing I have found to speed up a Windows PC is to install LINUX and wipe out windows, Ubuntu runs way faster with less ram I built a quad core 8 gig of ram and a one gig video card computer I have the Zorin take off of Ubuntu on it and it flies. System info shows less than a gig of ram being used at any givin time and never any swap being used.This is with 8 desktops open with programs running.

To speed up start up I've been using a program called Soluto.
It only removes unnecessary programs and can delay the start of programs that you may want to still use, which makes the computer usable more quickly.

I am a computer repair / web designer based in Alicante, Spain and wholeheartedly agree with Bob's recommendation of Advanced System Care.
I've used the Pro version for years and add it to my client's computers at every opportunity to help keep their computers optimized.

I have been using Uniblue Registry Cleaner and it does speed up my computer. Do you have any experience with that software? I'd like to get your personal favorite Advanced System Care Free and compare the two.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Uniblue makes an excellent registry cleaner. The company is trustworthy in my experience.

An interesting new program I've been trying recently is Toolwiz Care. It is freeware and seems to be a Swiss Army Knife type program. It cleans, it defrags, it ... heck, it seems to do everything you might possibly want to do. It is definitely worth looking into. Try it. It has something for everybody!

There are two types of "Speed-Up," one is inside the computer and the other is your landline connection outside on the telephone poles.
If you have a landline no one other then your ISP can increase your speed. And in my case VeriZon keeps falling down. In all their adverts they tell you that Fios (Fiber Optics) service is the "BEST" in the world, they spend millions telling everyone this, but in small print they say, 'only in select areas.' In New Jersey they have met their market metrics (and lied to the PUC) and have shut down 'all' future fiber optic installation.

Nice, except that Advanced System Care Free only flags things it doesn't like. To remove them, you have to buy the advanced version.

RIP-OFF, no matter how well it works.

I don't think it is recommended to use a defragmenter if you have a SSD hard drive.

Bob, I'm with you on the "Advanced system Care" I have been using it for several years now and it is excellent! And if you keep your eyes open for it they sometimes offer the pro version for free. I have the pro version on all of our computers right now. And sometimes you can get it on sale for 10 dollars.
Also if you click on a website and something pops up and offers to fix your computer or remove malware, it is getting ready to infect your computer. In order to prevent it you must close your browser and don't save your browser session or tabs. If it won't let you then restart your computer and if it won't let you do that then force your computer down. Whatever you do do not click on it, not even on the red X because it will not exit out it will infect your computer.

@Ed Stewart, This article is about Windows and the "Double My Speed" type utility programs. It is not about Linux, that is completely off topic. I'm sure Bob has done some great and informative articles about the pros and cons of using the Linux operating system instead of Windows. I notice all you guys who do the "Everybody needs to get rid of Windows and switch to Linux" posts when the article is obviously about windows will never mention any of the cons of using Linux operating system instead of Windows.

Two useful programmes not mentioned. The second is more 'aggressive' than the first but each has it's place:

Ashampoo Winoptimizer (Versions 6 to 9): Probably find v6 free. v9 is latest and full copy can be tried for 30-40 days. Seldom do you pay full price but it is tried and tested and does more than there is room for here.

WinUtilities: similar to above but cleans deeper. A bit of care with the settings is a good idea.

These two are well known and highly respected.

I purchased a program by Iolo from an ad on your webpage which although full of promises to speed up my PC did absolutely nothing. Trying to cancel the program and get a refund was more difficult than pulling teeth. All I could get was an offer to 'upgrade' and take care of other problems.
I'll stay away from Iolo in future.
I already subscribe to your newsletter and purchased your book - both are fine publications but I'm not too pleased with one of your advertisers for sure.

One nice freeware is CCleaner from Piriform (formerly Crap Cleaner). Nice and quick and easy to use. Cleans Windows, Apps, restores, cleans free memory, and lots more. Used on XP and now Windows 7.

@actionjksn I notice all you guys who do the "Everybody needs to get rid of Windows and switch to Linux" posts when the article is obviously about windows will never mention any of the cons of using Linux operating system instead of Windows.

LIKE WHAT?

I like Toolwiz Care, it is totally free and so many cool functions it has!

Good article Bob.

'Go Faster Stripe' programs that you pay for do one thing extremely well - they keep your bank balance lean and mean.

I have used CCleaner for many years and it has never let me down.

I've been fixing computers for a few years now. Here is what works.

Getting rid of virus/adware/spyware.
Turning of programs running in the background.
If you use IE get rid of the toolbars.

Everything else is basically Snake oil.

Is it true what KRM says, that the free version only 'flags' and we have to buy the pro to remove them? It would be helpful to know this as I was about to install this prog. Appreciate all your posts though!! Tx!

EDITOR'S NOTE: There are a few features in the PRO version that are not in the FREE version, but that's to be expected. It's NOT true that you have to buy the Pro version to do any of the repair functions. I just ran the most recent version, and it fixed registry errors, invalid shortcuts, cleaned up history, and removed junk files.

@Joseph

Joseph
15 May 2012

@actionjksn I notice all you guys who do the "Everybody needs to get rid of Windows and switch to Linux" posts when the article is obviously about windows will never mention any of the cons of using Linux operating system instead of Windows.

LIKE WHAT?

Like The fact that the Windows programs that people use and often need are not compatible. Like if they go to install a piece of hardware they may have to compile something or use the terminal, even though most users of Windows are not advanced enough to even know what that means. Like many of the things on Windows that are automated or require clicking something require opening a terminal which is not something the average Windows user is advanced enough to handle, nor do they have any desire to learn. Like the fact that the appeal of Linux for Linux fan boys is the fact that it is not dumbed down and nearly fully automated nor do they want it to be. They are already complaining that it has been simplified too much. depending on which version your talking about. Which leads to the other thing it is so fragmented with so many versions. And the program incompatibility. So if you don't like Open Office or Libre Office tough luck if you have Linux you can't have Microsoft Office, and guess what some - many people don't want anything but Microsoft office and many other Windows programs. And when you say LIKE WHAT? are you implying that there are no cons to using Linux instead of Windows? Like there are only pros an no cons? I am far more advanced in computers than the average user, I know because I fix several per month so I know where the average users technical level is. And I have trouble with Linux. The average PC user would be lost unless they had someone who is really good with Linux to set everything up and take care of every problem they have. Most people don't want to be on Linux Forums and sometimes even being talked down to because they don't understand, trying to figure out how to do the things that were fairly simple with Windows. Linux is a great and powerful operating system and it would be my first choice for a super computer or something like that. But it is not designed to be as simple to use for the average PC user. It's for geeks and there's nothing wrong with that but it is what it is.