Do PC clean up utilities work or are they just a scam?

I tried Fix-It. It brought up a little window that drove me crazy! So, I switched to System Mechanic. I really like it. I've been using it for about three years. I buy the old version on the cheap from WORLDSTART and then when I install it, I get a free upgrade to the current version. You can load it on every computer in your home.
Among its many tasks it checks the drive for errors, checks the registry for errors, will defrag both, checks memory, tells you which programs are starting when you turn your computer on...(and allows you to turn them off) and a host of other things. Call me DUMBnEASY, but I like it and it hasn't screwed my computer up ..........yet!

I had System Mechanic, the System Shield was a major fail on a name brand pc. Windows 7 Professional on reinstall kept saying no AV was installed. The tech support kept saying to uninstall and reinstall. I kept telling them that it was a fresh build of Windows and they never acknowledged that. I will never ever recommend System Mechanic after the headaches that software and poor Technical Support thar was offered.

Several years ago I used System Mechanic to clean things up. It wound up deleting a bunch of stuff I wanted to keep. Their tech support was basically useless in the face of this situation.

FYI about my own experiences with System Mechanic. Like BGCBGC, I had tried SM several years ago. At first l liked it, but there came a time when it, as I recall, deleted a stuff that, in hind site, shouldn't have been deleted, thereby causing me some WindowsXP grief. Sometimes it isn't always easy to know what it is that's being deleted, and when a program is a little too aggressive in that regard, that can cause problems, as it did for me. Unless your a computer whiz kid who absolutely knows what's being deleted, I think it's better to error on the side of caution by using programs that may be kinder and gentler, and a little less aggressive than SM, about deleting files that you may or may not need deleted. I then tried an IO Bit program for awhile, (altho I can't recall the name of it right now..), that was also supposed to keep my system clean. But it installed itself memory resident at boot up and it slowed my whole computer down. So I abandoned it, plus it seemed like it constantly nagged me about all other IO Bit programs, as well. Hence, this is why I'm happier after discovering and using CCleaner. (The free version). It asks - only occasionally - if I want to update to their professional version, (which I just might do one of these days), otherwise, it just tells me when there's a new version available for download and install. It has kept my system humming right along. I don't recall anything NOT working right after I've run CCleaner and I use it daily, and religiously, each and every time I shutdown my computer. That whole process takes, maybe, 20-30 seconds depending upon how much I've been surfing the NET and how fast my fingers and my mouse moves.

The first program I install on computers with a new installation of Windows 7 is WinPatrol (A little dog barks when a change is to be made to system files.) Like glasskuter I install CCleaner free, Auslogics Disk Defrag free, Malwarebytes free (With a recommendation to upgrade to the Premium Version) and Windows Security Essentials for AntiVirus protection. After all the 200+ updates are completed I run the registry cleanup option in CCleaner then the defrag and optimize option in Auslogics Disk Defrag.

If you are trying to get a few more miles out of Windows XP, Avast or Avira are very good free antivirus programs because Microsoft Security Essentials is not supported by XP.

Periodic maintenance with these programs will keep Windows running like new!

Windows XP is history. No updates no nothing. Anti-virus and malware programs will and are useless. By now the port to go online should have been shutdown and if you are one of the lucky few still on your machine is in danger.

George
Microsoft Engineer

George, I'd say that your reply here, is a good scare tactic to get everyone to run out and buy/upgrade to the newest Microsoft O/S flavor. But begging your pardon, Sir, but why should I have to pay to do that over-and-over, and again-and-again, when I shelled out good, costly, consumer monies to Microsoft in the first place for my XP Pro operating system..?!? Now you - who claim to be a Microsoft engineer - state that "antivirus" and "malware" programs are now "useless" rendering my XP Pro O/S "dangerous" to use..!!! Now whose fault would that be - mine..?!? I don't think so, as I didn't write this O/S code in the first place - your company, Microsoft - did. I just bought it. But now - according to you - I should pony up and pay-and-pay the current, new cost for (apparently each) subsequent version of your O/S's that you've come out with since XP. (All of which somehow seem to be defective and dangerous very shortly after they've been introduced to some extent or another, such as Vista, System7, and System 8.x, et-all). I am NOT an anti-Microsoft user, but you, Sir, had a hand in putting out these "dangerous" O/S's in the first place. Why don't you, (i.e., Microsoft), just fix them - and fix them for FREE - like automobile manufacturers are required to do when there are serious recalls of their brands that render their products 'defective' and 'dangerous'..?!? (Which is pretty much what you stated about Microsoft's XP O/S - your words - not mine).

Hi Yankee and all others that think you Windows OS will last forever.
I need to repair my car at least once every year. The car i bought 1978 is probably not around anymore.
I don't buy a new one every year but every five years maybee. At least when i cannot get spareparts anymore.

If the old Fiat 127 is still running it is probably a bit dangerous now compared to brand new cars. It had no deformation zones for example.
It don't expect to have a new car delivered to me free of charge every time there is a new Fiat model around.

Windows is much cheaper than a new car and i use windows even more than i use the car. I don't mind paying for a new one now and then.
Microsoft is kind enough to provide spareparts for Windows free of charge as long as it feasible.

My car us over 20 years old. I maintain it but have no plans on replacing it.

Both of my sons want me to, though.

Bravo, yankee07mvp!
George took a lot of flak not just for being a MS Engineer, but because of his low-down scare tactics! WIN XP was the best OS MS ever put out and MS ignored all our pleas to keep supporting it.
I use my machine running WINXP sparingly and carefully, minimizing on-line time and running all my protection. I am simply not willing to demote this computer to a word processor or to support MS by buying a later (and unsatisfactory) OS for it.

Microsoft is the biggest business in the universe and we are just the bystanders purchasing what is new in the field of technology. So...................what can we do? Go back to basics? Quit? I do not have an answer to that. Thank you very much.

UBUNTU !

Please clarify the meaning of UBUNTU!

UBUNTU a version of Linux

Yankee - some of us have been shelling out to Microsoft since DOS, Windows 3, windows 95, 98 and to date.
Microsoft doesn't "do" loyalty so to get the latest operating system we have to pay full retail price.

Several friends have this year needed to buy new machines because their old, but perfectly functioning, XP machines did not meet the requirements to install Windows 7 (none would touch . Memory and CPU upgrade was either not possible or not an economic option.

I run a 2 year old competent Windows 7 machine which has plenty of memory but often grinds to a halt. When I investigated I found the reason - Windows updates taking all processor and memory power. I invested in a dedicated graphics card with plenty of memory but it still happens. Microsoft is famed for "update Tuesdays" but updates happen more frequently than that. If I bought any other commodity - such as a car or refrigerator and it needed "fixing" every few days then I'd reckon the manufacturer was incompetent and, as they say "sold me a pup".

Cleansing programs? I find iobit Advanced System Care extremely good but I also use malwarebytes and ccleaner from time to time because no program catches everything. Spybot is also good but takes quite a while.

I downloaded it from here, Advanced System care and/or Iobit's website, and promptly installed Spigot and another I can't remember. Both Avast Pro and Malwarebytes squawked until I finally reformatted..

I was one that reformatted about every other month, until I bought my own computer and installed all the programs I wanted.

Personally, to keep the computer running fine. I installed all my programs on my brand new machine, necessary programs, then removed the hard drive and cloned it. I back up everything onto two internal hard drives. If the computer acts up, l clone from the original and just have to point the programs to the data files or install the backups. Like Money, I just open the backed up version, install the .psts into Outlook, etc. Since I have everything marked where it's backed up, it' not a big program. I can also install all non essentials, like Malwarebytes, Avast, but it takes no more than 45 minutes for a complete redo.

When I installed Malwarebytes it won't load bad webpages without a fight. It also found all malicious malware before IObits and AVG or anything else. When I would do complete scans, everybody else came up empty, so I never reinstalled them. I also use AVAST Pro.

I did email Iobit about Spigot and they admitted, but said it was because I opted to install it or the toolbar. I don't do this. I like the programs I have, I don't like other programs changing my set up. They told me to uninstall the toolbar and it would go away. That didn't work... It such a shame because I actually liked Advanced System Care and Iobits malware fighter....

I ain't even going to mention George...

Iobit offer this very good program for free but it isn't actually without cost. Iobit WILL try to sell you the Pro version and other programs. I've never heard of spigot so I don't know how you came to download that. The download page is (deliberately I think) confusing and there are several green download buttons - you need to choose the right one. During actual installation it is essential that you choose "custom" install and untick the boxes which offer to install the toolbar and other things. that is true for many other programs as well including Adobe Flash which, unless you untick, will install McAfee scanning which may conflict with other AV programs.

I discovered that the "live" anti-malware option from Iobit conflicts with Norton Internet Security so I make sure that I don't get that one. The Iobit powerful Uninstaller is though a better alternative to Control Panel for clearing out the remnants of programs.

When used every couple of days ASC is quick and keeps the machine pretty "clean" but, as with most such programs it doesn't find everything. That is why I monthly update the Malwarebytes database and then run it in Safemode. I must say that it rarely finds much if anything if I run ASC before starting in Safemode. Spybot takes so long that I run that less frequently.
A slight bonus in ASC is that when scanning for "security holes" it checks whether all updates for Windows have been installed. If they haven't then it installs them during the scan. Helps in making sure that Microsoft updates don't slow the machine unexpectedly. Cloning? always meant to do it - never got around to it.

Waste of time. Toxic software, totally uneeded. But if it makes you feel better knock yourselves out.

Dafydd.

Iobits actually admitted it's part of the package. But as I said, THEY SAID, I shouldn't have installed the toolbar which installs Spigot. I DO NOT, install toolbars. I almost always and definitely with this type of programs, do custom installs. Spigot installs automatically, in some cases more 'evident' than others. Google it, Spigot and Iobits...

I really do/did like ASC. I used to run Norton's too, but it started to appear to slow the machine down and well Avast always found everything first, as well as more stuff. So, I stopped Norton's. I usually stop it on my daughter's machine when I'm using that one (quieter space), (she also has Avast running). But I have told her that if she has the original hard drive or a clone, it might be time to reclone, as I can't figure out why it's so slow... I would really love to put ASC on it, but not as long as Spigot is with it, as that will gum up things even worse then they already are.

You are one of my likes
My practice is almost like that of yours
I am using all those applications that you are using
I have my C drive on an 128 GB SSD
When I feel that every thing is running OK I take a good backup using 'Macrium Reflect'.
All downloads are specifically directed to specified folders
My pst files are in in a specified folder on different partition, which has an automated clone in the cloud, manipulated by a friend of mine.

I agree with you completely!

I have always said that 'planned obsalescence ' is the basis of home computer manufacturing and find it so frustrating.

I am glad to know that there are many others who feel as I do.

Say again George, the Microsoft Engineer??? Pushing MS are we?

Most of what I've read here turns out to be on the truthful side whereas what you claim just doesn't cut the mustard. MS has gone so off track it's pathetic. Once my XP-Pro machine(s) don't work I'm off to hook up with an Apple.

What you folks at MS didn't consider is the gazillions of folks who simply can't afford a new puter let alone purchasing all the programs that are rendered useless with WIN8. WIN-XP was an excellent O/S in six (6) years, not one crash, not one hang-up, i.e., no problems. In my opinion MS just made a big mistake by rolling out the big money grab. No more MS for me.

Hooray for Yankee er al..

I have 5 PC' s between work and home so am really stuck for awhile. I spend literally 40 hours a month dealing with fixing, or researching, or losing time waiting on phone for IT help, on my work PC because that's where I spend my days. Atrocious to put up with this kind of quality and sell tactics and as soon as my 2 work desk computers die, I am switching to APPLE... As a designer and not techy at all I have relied on all sorts of advice - and feel like an idiot because now I am caught.

Apple actually seem to be consumer- minded and I don't understand how Microsoft has been able to keep going with their level of product. As more and more switch over, perhaps they will direct their efforts...and now after the atrocious Windows 8 which i was told would be awesome and i MUST have it in order to stay with it. they are bringing out (only 2 years later) 9...oh no I am sorry - they skipped 9 and it is 10 !!!!!??? I will deal with 8 to get me through to Apple - and it cannot be soon enough. I love love my IPad and the fabulous support that is there when I have even the most simple of questions.

And PS to Mats the car guy: not everyone buys a new car every five years, most go 8-10 or longer, and I wouldn't buy one where the maker discontinues parts that frequently and if the parts are that sophistacated and easily outdated there are used and rebuilt parts that are great; and I and alot of us maintain our cars carefully so they will last - to 400K or more in the japanese brands!

I have ONE pc that I could not 'keep up with'.

I spent money on everything advertised and also took my pc to office depot.

I got really desperate for some help and went on-line looking for a solution.

I ran into pcEsupport.com. It cost 160.00 buck a year.

It was the best thing I ever spent money on for my pc.

The company rep's are actually KIND on the telephone. They take remote control and work on my pc right in front of my eyes.

I can call them any AMOUNT of times as needed. They actually RESOLVE all kinds of issues.

I have been with them for 4 or 5 years now and will NOT be with out their services. They are open from 9am to 9pm. EST.

I cannot imagine doing without them. This company is truly amazing. They actually know me by my first name. (I am Martha.) I've called them for advice on what is wise to click on and 'allow' or not to 'allow' and they have explained information to me AFTER they checked it out themselves.

Obviously I am NOT a computer geek so their services are invaluable to me. Good luck to you. Most Respectfully, Martha T

George..,
how can i change the dell bios program that just says, "vista" only..., when your putting on a new OS.? I want to use the dell disc i have that is win 7 from dell... I was told that part of what gets programmed onto a computer when new is what can and what can't be put on it..
Please let me know if you know of a way to allow this...
lentmain@hotmail.com
Pat
with a dell stuck in vista land....

Hi lentmain,

If George has still stuck around after the lambasting, he will likely give you the MS support toll free number and tell you to have your credit card ready.

Here's the skinny:

Dell, HP, IBM, etc create a hidden partition on the hard drive they install on your OEM computer. On it are drivers, settings, and some proprietory software. In order to wipe that hard drive completely, you have to use a program that XXs out the drive completely.

I haven't done an OEM one in several years, so there may be new free programs out there, but I have in the past used Western Digital's free software to do that job.

BUT, the Dell disc with Win 7 (not the greatest OS) will have the same drivers for the computer it was programmed to do an OS install. So if that disc is from a different computer, it will likely not work.

Also, someone who is tech savvy would have to look at the BIOS. Dell may have installed proprietary firmware on the motherboard-game over if that is the case-sell it or toss it.

IF you called Dell and asked them for an upgrade disc and it is not working, they are the ones you should be talking to walk you through the process.

But, if it is one of the other scenarios and you are not very tech savvy, I would buy a new hard drive, search on places like Ebay for a legit copy of Win 7 and do a clean install on a new hard drive.

If you have to have someone do it all for you, time to assess the cost versus buying a whole new computer with newer hardware and software.

I have built my own systems for the last 15 years, so I don't run into those scenarios now.

I suggest that next time you are in line for a new computer, have a local small shop with a good reputation build one for you.(Stress Good Reputation).
The couple of hundred dollars more should give you peace of mind for a while.

But remember, today technology moves exponentially faster by the month.

Take what you can get on a private sale of the old one and move on is not a bad strategy.


my 2 cents.

Good idea: build your own. However, it is not that hard. I would not pay anyone to do it for you. Just type in "build a computer. NEWEGG and other companies have videos that will show the basic items involved. You do not necessarily have to build what they are showing if you do not want to. Also, Micro Center sells computer parts and they have a help desk in the store that will assist you for free. Good luck and hope this helps.