Many PC tune-up utilities are free, so these need to offer something extra to justify their admittedly low cost. Disk Cleaner aims to clear out unnecessary files from your hard disk. It presents you with a configuration wizard the first time you use it that allows you to customise what it'll do. You can accept the suggested 'junk' file types, or select from 42 formats that will be included in subsequent scans. You can also choose to include or exclude temporary Internet files, cookies, Windows' temporary files folder, recently used files, invalid shortcuts and Windows Update temp files. Whole folders can be earmarked for emptying on each scan and, usefully, you can select folders that won't be touched. We liked the way the program offered to remember our choices, as this meant we could realistically use the One-Click scan option in future.
A scan of our Windows XP system took 15 minutes, finding 70MB of junk files using the default settings. Oddly, it took only seconds on our Vista laptop to find and remove the same quantity. We found Disk Cleaner straightforward to use and very light on system resources. Visually, though, the toolbar and menus are decidedly ropey.
Registry Cleaner removes unused and broken entries from the Windows Registry to help prevent your PC slowing down. It has the same simple yet shoddy-looking interface, but lacks the configuration wizard. The first time you run it, it offers to back up your Windows Registry - a very smart move, in case the program gets it wrong and removes an important entry that could destabilise your PC. Not all Registry cleaners give you this vital option. Again, you can accept the default scan or customise the areas you want to fix. The results are defined as safe or not fully safe to repair, so if you're not gung-ho you can minimise any risk.
In both programs, we'd have liked to see an option to schedule a scan at regular intervals. The developer would also be, ahem, 'wise' to employ a better translator for the English version.
System Specifications
Requires Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP or Vista
Verdict
A wise buy? A pair of system utilities that work all right, but fail to stand out in any respect.
Author: Andy Zarkesh
Computer Buyer Online