A Review of WinOptimizer 8

OVERVIEW

WinOptimizer is designed to ensure your Windows operating system works quickly and efficiently. The suite's extensive set of system tools are bundled together in one, easy-to-use, package. This program is intended for use with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.

Utility software inhabits the really nice to have, but not completely necessary space - many of WinOptimizer's core functions replicate what is available through the Windows operating system.

PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION

I downloaded WinOptimizer from the Ashampoo website. Ashampoo is an international software company based in Germany. WinOptimizer may be purchased or downloaded on a forty day trial basis.

Installation proved simple and straightforward. I chose the custom method to avoid installing their web browser toolbar.

THE TEST DRIVE

Two icons were added to my desktop. Selecting the one-click icon automatically loads a routine that deletes unnecessary entries in the Windows registry, cleans out needless browser items, and removes unnecessary files from the hard drive. This type of maintenance promotes increased computer speed and clears hard drive space.

The second icon loaded an overview of the main program. The Maintenance section duplicates the tasks performed by the one-click utility. I immediately deleted the one-click icon from my desktop. This section also searches for unnecessary autostart entries and services.

Before running the software, I loaded it's predecessor, WinOptimizer 7 . It found 125 unnecessary browser items and deleted sixty-seven. It discovered twenty-one redundant registry entries and removed all but two. All seventy-three of the unnecessary files it found on the hard drive were deleted.

The new version discovered an additional 4170 unnecessary browser items, 230 redundant registry entries and forty-six unnecessary files on the hard drive. All items were completely deleted. This implies improved search techniques.

• The System section provides basic information concerning the operating system, system memory, processor and graphics. It includes a graphic displaying memory usage and processing power.

• Clicking Tuning Assistant initiates an optimization search. On the test computer it suggested, explaining the pros and cons, three optimizations. I accepted the utility's advice to disable hibernation.

• The Optional section allows for the deletion of the hibernation file, and the Windows backups.

• The Live Tuner section is poorly described. I assume, when enabled, it ensures the options chosen in Tuning Assistant are continuously utilized.

ALL MODULES

This can be selected from the menu located at the bottom of the screen.

Maintain System includes one-click optimization and its sub-components. Also found here is Defrag 3, used to defragment the hard drive.

The Analyze System section provides system information and calculates the size of files located on the selected drive. It can benchmark the computer system and compare results against those of other WinOptimizer users. The Disk Doctor module analyzes the hard drive for potential errors. During test of WinOptimizer 7, Disk Doctor reported the volume bitmap of the test computer to be incorrect. WinOptimizer 8 found no errors. I have no idea which version is correct, but my computer works fine. Through experience I've found that an inaccurate volume bitmap may result in errors when resizing the drive partition.

The Improve performance section includes the following utilities:

• Service Manager provides a list of running services and describes their use. Services are long-running executable programs that can be called upon by a main program. Sometimes services are unnecessary or present security concerns. If and when they run can be adjusted from this screen. Ashampoo provides a method for individual users to rate the usefulness of these services, and these ratings/recommendations are displayed. I strongly advise not to adjust/remove services based on these recommendations. Changes to services could be detrimental to the computer system, so research any possible changes carefully.

• Startup Tuner displays a list of programs that load as Windows starts. Often, installed programs check for updates each time the computer is restarted. Others will load in the background to allow immediate access when started. While this can be useful, the time necessary to completely boot the system will increase. In my case I actually wanted a new program to load during start-up. Magic Jack, my internet phone system, was easily added to the startup list.
  

• Internet Tuner optimizes the system according to hardware and bandwidth Internet connection.

• The Process Manager displays running processes. A process provides the resources to execute a program. From this screen unnecessary processes can be stopped from running. The priority of each process can also be adjusted. Be very careful - stopping or deleting a process can result in an unstable system.

• Uninstall Manager allows the user to uninstall program.

The File Tools section allows for the secure deletion of files, restoration of deleted files, encryption of files, and the ability to split and rejoin files. I have performed a series of tests on these tools. For a breakdown of their capabilities, check out File Tools Test.

The Customize Windows section contains a number of useful methods to tweak the operating system. For example, if the user is not overly concerned with security, the login screen can be skipped.

The General section includes methods of reversing many of the changes made using WinOptimizer. Certain activities can be scheduled on a routine basis, and adjustments can be performed related to how the various modules operate.

FAVORITES

This groups together the user's most often selected tools. Considering the excellent layout of the main program, Favorites will not be used often.

BACKUPS

Adjustments performed by WinOptimizer can be reversed here. This can be useful if problems are encountered after optimization.

STATISTICS

A listing of the total numbers of files changed/deleted, as well as information regarding times the various tools have been accessed. Most users will hold little interest in these statistics.

FINAL CONCLUSION

Every computer user should possess one utility program capable of handling regular maintenance at a click of a button. This software should also be proficient at performing complicated tests/repairs and have the ability to display information pertaining to the system. WinOptimizer meets these criteria. This program appears to be an improvement on the prior version. Certainly it is able to find and delete far more unnecessary files and registry entries than WinOptimizer 7. I do, however, hold reservations concerning the accuracy of the Disk Doctor module. I have queried Ashampoo over this matter and will update this article upon their response. Despite this reservation, WinOptimizer has my recommendation.