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Windows Vista Performance Suites
With the release of Windows Vista we see the emergence of performance suites tailored to the new operating system, not only incorporating the usual performance tools such as registry repair, junk file cleanup, and appearance tweaks, but also tools to address items specific to Vista - such as control and monitoring of UAC (User Account Control).
Actually, the Windows Vista user interface is itself quite intuitive, easier to use than Windows XP, and a user will in short order find his way around. For instance, many users are becoming accustomed to typing what they want into the Start Search Box (at the bottom of the Start Menu), the item simply appears in the search results. For example, type "calc" into the Start Search Box and you'll get the Windows Calculator in the search results; type "serv" and you'll get access to Windows Services.
Nevertheless, many computer users prefer a third party suite which groups together a multitude of tools in a handy toolbox format - providing access to tools that a user may not have known existed or are hard to find through Windows. Also, despite the intuitive nature of Vista, any operating system changes produce a certain amount of user confusion, so tools such as these can prove helpful in gaining familiarization with the new operating system.
On this page, I'll list some of the new Vista-related suites as well as some of the old standbys. Good luck and good computing.
Vista Manager (Free Trial) - system information such as specifics on mainboard, CPU, BIOS, etc. Includes a process manger, 1-click cleaner, user friendly access to tools like System File Checker, a specialized System Repair Section to address common repair issues, registry cleaner and defrag, quick access to system security settings including UAC, appearance tweaks, and more.
Vista Smoker Pro (Free Trial) - performance and appearance tweaks, lots of convenient quick fixes not generally found in performance suites. For example, one click to remove Hotfixes from the Add/Remove Applet and removes the accumulating uninstall folders, Super Fast Shutdown tool, tons of tweaks and tools to explore. Also includes a One Button Auto Tuner.
System Mechanic (Free Trial) - the always popular full performance suite, presently (as of 27 May 2007) ready for 32-bit editions of Windows Vista, not recommended for the 64-bit edition
Tuneup Utilities (Free Trial) - simple, easy to use, reliable performance suite, preferred by many
Symantec/Norton Family (Free Trial) - the Symantec collection includes Systemworks and the latest offering, Norton 360. Products provide a varied mix of security and performance features, see the Symantec site for details.
Perfect Disk Rx Suite (Free Trial) - new Raxco offering, based on the successful Perfect Disk Defragmention utility, the suite adds registry repair, internet trace cleanup, junk file cleanup, and Windows Tweaks. Straightforward and aesthetic suite that you may like.
PC Pitstop - free performance and diagnostic scans address a number of issues and can prove quite helpful, see the full PC-tuneup scan.
Windows One Care (Free Trial) - 90 day trial from Microsoft, inkeeping with the trend toward all-in-one products this suite features all-around security, defragments your hard drive, removes junk files, and monitors Microsoft Updates. Also performs regular backups of important files.