Rating: 7/10
Joining the happy band of operating system enhancing software is XP tuning suite 3.0. It consists of service, diagnostics and utilities that claim to 'unleash the true power of Windows XP.' Let's see shall we...
As long as you have Administrator rights you will have the option of having a new system recovery point set by the program and you can also add a password to protect against unauthorised changes to settings. You can then listen to Merlin the Magician as he relates some of the program's features. By default this animated, talkative character only appears when the program is launched for the first time. However, you can opt for Merlin to pop up whenever you start the software.
With or without Merlin, XP tuning suite makes use of an Assistant that provides some guidance on speed and security optimisation issues. Speed settings include accelerated shutdown and network access; optimised cache and CPU usage; a choice of Internet parameters; plus turning on/off prefetching and the Windows splash screen. Included among the range of Security settings are those for disabling automatic checking for Windows updates and error reporting services plus suppressing data transfer by Media Player and automatic IE updates.
The program's main functionality is divided into categories represented by icons positioned on a toolbar. These categories cover System, Speed, Desktop, Explorer, Internet, Security, Info and Internal. As you select each one, so various sub-categories appear displayed in a task pane situated on the left of the screen. When appropriate this task pane will be split into two showing a further sub-layer of available options.
For example the System category consists of seven sub-categories that give access to a further nineteen different options covering more than 70 tools or settings. These include a clean and optimise registry tool, which caused an error the first time it was run but later worked without any problems appearing. You can manage your auto-start programs; hide or display Control Panel icons; switch on/off various Windows effects; and activate a clipboard extension module that can store multiple captures of various types on a temporary or permanent basis.
The Speed category includes options to remove programs and Windows components; accelerate network and Internet access plus add icons to your desktop for restarting or shutting down Windows. Cherry-picking from other areas of this eclectic collection of goodies reveals items such as disabling the Outlook Express splash screen; the ability to add restrictions to IE; view and delete cookies; generate passwords; view information about the computer components; and choose between the program's and Windows XP popup blocker.
Naturally with a program that contains a vast array of tools and options, some will be more valuable and useful than others. Still, with over 600 to choose from there should be several that will enhance your use of the Windows XP operating system.
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