Ashampoo WinOptimizer 6

Windows system utilities can be roughly divided into two camps: those that promise performance and fail to deliver, and those that more than deliver on their promises. Ashampoo WinOptimizer 6 definitely falls into the latter - this ultra-comprehensive optimization, security, and system performance application is one of the best on the market.

Windows XP and Vista are both easily plagued by poor performance, especially when loaded with extra software and unwanted internet installations. WinOptimizer 6 makes it easy for users to strategically optimize their PC, all without the risk of checking the wrong boxes or editing the wrong files.

With built-in options for cleaning the Windows registry - one of the most important pillars for PC performance - WinOptimizer 6 removes the risk for users when it comes to PC optimization. By backing up the entire registry, users can easily experiment with different performance options, all without fear of affecting PC stability or negatively affecting performance.

With single-click optimization options, users can tune their PC without even delving into performance settings and features. However, more advanced users will want to fine-tune features individually, which is where WinOptimizer's 21 powerful tools come in particularly useful.

From modifying startup security to eliminating unwanted programs, WinOptimizer 6 includes tools for fine-tuning every aspect of your PC's performance and security. While many optimizations can be performed using Windows' standard control panel interface, WinOptimizer groups them together and simplifies the process significantly.

With a wide range of optimization products on the market, it can be hard to pick the right one for your Windows installation. For XP, Vista, and even Windows 7 users, it's difficult to look past WinOptimizer 6 for sheer versatility, size, and power. Computer performance shouldn't be left to poor software, and few competitors can best Ashampoo WinOptimizer 6 when it comes to ability.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer: What We Liked

• Over 20 tools for improving PC performance. Users can modify everything from startup security to registry data, auto-launched programs to Windows themes.
• Support for Windows 7 makes WinOptimizer 6 perfect for users with recently-upgraded PCs.
• Single-click optimization saves time, stress, and boosts performance without requiring immediate technical work.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer: What We Didn't Like

• Advanced users can easily perform many performance tweaks using Windows' own control interface, making WinOptimizer less useful for power users and tech-savvy Windows users.

Ashampoo Support

Ashampoo have an online support database available for WinOptimizer 6 users, including guides for software installation, licensing issues, and email support forms. Phone support is not offered for technical issues, however customers can reach phone support for billing and order queries.

About Ashampoo

Founded in 2003, Ashampoo GmbH are developers and publishers of PC optimization software, multimedia applications, and even office productivity suites. Offering a huge range of different titles and applications, Ashampoo's software can be found in corporate offices, creative workspaces, and in hundreds of thousands of homes worldwide.

     

Microsoft Windows may have got more advanced but the need for effective maintenance is greater than ever. If you don't houseclean your computer system regularly the digital garbage that collects over time makes it slower and can even cause inexplicable errors - usually when you need them least. With the reliability of 11 years of experience, Ashampoo WinOptimizer 6 makes Windows maintenance fast and easy - and it works for Windows XP just as well as it does for Vista. The One-click Optimizer does what it says and you can run it automatically so that you don't need to think about it at all. It keeps your Windows computer running as fast and smoothly as on the first day you bought it.

The WinOptimizer Toolbox:

AntiSpy Module
A growing number of Windows services and application programs like to "phone home" and inform Microsoft or their manufacturers about a variety of things, ranging from crash reports to user behavior. Many users don't like this and at least want to be able to choose whether these programs should do this or not. The new AntiSpy module provides settings that let you control the "spying" behavior of both Windows and these programs. Configuration options are included for a number of Windows system settings, Windows Media Player, the Windows error reporting service and others.

Context Menu Manager
Configure and control your right-click context menus in Windows. See New Features below for full details.

Hard Disk Defragmenter
Keeps your hard disks at maximum efficiency all the time. Now better than ever with top Vista performance. See New Features below for full details.

One-Click Optimizer
This is the most popular function in WinOptimizer, literally enabling you to clean up and tune up your entire Windows system with a single click, using the optimum settings to eliminate garbage data and Registry entries and defragment your hard drive. Now more efficient and faster than ever.

Drive Cleaner
As time goes on Windows collects an amazing number of useless, garbage files that just clog up your system. Drive Cleaner reliably and safely identifies and deletes these files, freeing up space and removing dead weight. The new version has a significantly improved scan algorithm for even faster performance, and better cleaning results.

Registry Optimizer
The central Windows Registry database contains all the configuration and performance settings for Windows and most of your application programs. Like the hard drive it too gets clogged up with garbage data as time goes on. Registry Optimizer finds and eliminates old, redundant and broken Registry entries that can slow down your computer and cause unnecessary errors. The new version is faster, delivers better performance and is even safer than before.

Internet Cleaner
This tool finds and deletes all traces of your Internet surfing sessions to protect your privacy and increase your security. It also deletes the temporary Internet files that take up megabytes of space on your hard drives. The new version supports the latest generation of web browsers, including browser derivates based on leading browser engines.

Windows Tweaking Tools
This amazingly useful module gives you direct access to hundreds of Windows and application configuration and performance settings, enabling you to fine-tune your system to make it behave exactly as you want. All the settings are explained and backups are made automatically so that you can return to the original settings at any time. Many settings are difficult or impossible to access in other ways. The new version adds many new options, including "secret" Windows settings and tweaks.

System Benchmark
Check out the performance of your Windows computer and compare it with other users' systems. The new version has direct access to an online database of all users who have submitted their benchmarking results so that you can see how your system stacks up.

StartUp Tuner
Lists all processes and programs started automatically with Windows and enables you to enable or disable them temporarily or permanently. Also includes Internet Explorer plugins, which you can both view and delete if you want. Eliminates the annoyance of unnecessary programs that just waste your time, slow down your computer and interfere with important applications. Also clearly identifies the essential programs that shouldn't be disabled.

Process Manager
Lists all programs and processes running on your system and enables you to terminate them forcibly if necessary. Makes it easy to get rid of frozen windows caused by crashed applications and can help to identify malicious programs. Provides detailed explanations on the processes listed and clearly identifies essential system processes that should never be terminated.

File Undeleter
Eliminates the horror of accidentally deleted files. Works on all Windows file systems (NTFS, FAT-16, FAT-32) and even on compressed and encrypted NTFS files and deleted files on USB thumb drives. Displays the health status of located deleted files and shows the chances of full or partial recovery. Even if you only need it once you'll be grateful forever.

File Wiper
Enables you to sell old computers and drives or provide access to your existing ones with confidence that nobody can access your data. If your hard drives and other media have ever contained sensitive information you want to make absolutely sure that it's really gone before it gets into the wrong hands. File Wiper uses military standard deletion algorithms to completely eliminate all traces of the original data so that even hackers and data recovery labs can't restore it.

File Splitter & Joiner
Enables you to break up large files into more manageable "chunks" that are easier to save to disks or send by email. The joiner function then puts the chunks together again to restore the original files.

Real- time Backup
WinOptimzer's integrated Real-Time Backup system monitors everything you change on your computer with the program and creates automatic recovery backups. This makes it possible to return to your original settings at any time.

DiskSpace Explorer and System Information
DiskSpace Explorer provides detailed information on the contents of all the drives in your computer by folders and file type, enabling you to identify files that are taking up space. System Information does the same for your hardware, giving you a full list of all your computer components, system software and drivers. You can also generate reports that are very helpful for support staff when you are trying to identify errors.

File Encrypter & Decrypter
Fast and safe file protection for important information, using the extremely strong Blowfish algorithm. You can also create self-unpacking decrypted files for sending to other people - they just need to double-click on the file and enter the password to unpack it.

Vista Sidebar Gadget
This useful tool gives you direct access to all the cleaner modules of WinOptimizer from the Vista Sidebar - including the One-Click Optimizer. Just click in the Sidebar to access your WinOptimizer tools fast.

Visual Styler
Change the appearance of your Windows system and give it your own unique look by replacing system and other icons and applying transparency effects to individual windows.