SlimWare Utilities SlimCleaner 4

Traditionally, PC tune-up utilities have performed a very basic, straightforward function?improve your computer's overall system performance via a number of behind-the-scenes tweaks that ditch unused files. You run it and move on?it was a solitary experience. That changes with SlimCleaner, a new, free tune-up utility that uses aggregated data collected from its user base to recommend the optimal settings for your PC. It even rewards you with badges for contributing accurate information back to the community. In short, SlimCleaner is a mashup of social network and utility that does a fine job of identifying, explaining, and removing trouble files so that your PC once again runs like new.

System Requirements and Interface
Compatible with Windows 7, Vista, XP, and 2000 PCs, SlimCleaner requires just an Internet connection for downloading the software and any updates that may be required during installation. Like Comodo System Utilities and Iolo System Mechanic 11 , SlimCleaner gives users permission to install the software on an unlimited number of systems. This gives it the edge over TuneUp Utilities 2013 and other tools when it comes to cleaning up computers in multi-PC households.

SlimCleaner's new, attractive interface features a pleasant color scheme that deftly balances blacks and grays with a bright blue gradient. Clicking one of the categories located in the column located left of the main content area?Cleaner, Optimize, Software, Browsers, Disk Tools, Windows Tools, and Hijack Log?highlights the selection and displays that individual interface to the right. SlimCleaner also displays your PC's operating system, CPU, and GPU information just south of that.

Cleaner, Optimizer, Social Features
The "Cleaner" area?the section that contains tabs for Windows, Applications, Broswers, Advanced, and Registry?is what you'll encounter upon firing up the application. Clicking the "Analyze" button causes SlimCleaner to run and spit back a list of problems?my initial scan uncovered dozens upon dozens on my test computer. The "Clean" button removed all the problem files and Web cookies, but I preserved the log-in cookies of Facebook and other sites I frequent using the IntelliCookie Filter. That's a great touch.

That's far from the only tool at your disposal. "Optimize" lets you alter which programs boot at launch?handy for those who may not realize that resource hogs are slowing the boot process and hindering the overall system performance. Here you can find detailed file information so you know exactly what it does before taking action, sort software (based on user feedback) using an adjustable, color-coded slider, and rate programs yourself using drop-down menu selections and mini-reviews?all very useful. I especially liked that SlimCleaner gives you a warning if you are about to remove software that's been well-received by the community; it's a nice way to safeguard yourself from removing a file that may prove vital to the computing experience.

Taking a cue from popular social networking sites like Facebook, SlimCleaner gives users a wall where they can display personal information and view badges, awards that are given for users with helpful useful reviews. In order to have badges saved to your wall, you need to create an account from scratch, or log in with your Facebook account. Personally, I could do without the badges, but I suppose they're carrots that will entice some users to contribute ratings, which improves everyone's experience.

Uninstaller, Browsers, Shredder, Hijack Log
Running "UnInstaller" causes SlimCleaner to scan your computer and display the total number of software installs. I began scrolling through the long list of software, uninstalling unwanted applications such as BlackBerry Device Manager, Yahoo Toolbar, and a number of others. My only gripe was that I couldn't select multiple applications at once; I had to uninstall applications one at a time, which quickly became a chore.

When I visited the "Browsers" section, it highlighted an Internet Explorer icon?the installed browser?but it also Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safair (although they were grayed out). Clicking the icon brought up an impressive amount of information on that particular browser including the default homepage, and the toolbars, extensions, and plug-ins that were installed. It amazed me that I had so many junk installs, and that I had become blind to them in my daily use. Once cleaned, Internet Exploer opened far swifter than it had in months. I could also select a new search engine for the browser, which was an unexpected extra.

"Shredder" lets you delete files or entire folders by overwriting them with data. There are different shredding levels, each with an increasing security level?Quick (one overwrite), Safe (3 overwrites), Thorough (7 overwrites), and Guttman (a whopping 35 overwrites). Once a file has been overwritten, it can't be recovered, so use this feature carefully.

"HighJack Log" lists all of the programs and plug-ins that are vulnerable to third-party attacks that can take over the system. "Windows Tools" organizes system tools (Device Manager, System Information, and more) in one easily navigated interface. Another aspect of SlimCleaner that I liked a lot?there's a "Revert Optimizations" button on each screen which lets you roll back the settings should you have need for it.

You can schedule tune-ups to run on a daily or weekly basis, or make a portable version by taking a trip to Settings.

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