Tune-Up Utilities
In other articles I've written here, I've talked about the arsenal of tools we use here at Best Deal Computers to remove viruses and spyware from our clients' machines. There is one final tool that often gets used to clean up after all the others have done their jobs and have gone to bed. That final tool is Tune-Up Utilities.
Tune-Up Utilities (what we like to abbreviate TUU here in the shop) is a wonderful suite of utilities like Norton Utilities was back in the days of DOS when Peter Norton was still at the helm of Peter Norton Computing. Some of what it does is optimize the computer for fastest operation; optimizes the Internet connection for the best throughput (and this is based on the maximum speed of your Internet connection as well rather than just a guess as to what would be good for you to use); allows you to see what all is in your startup routine and evaluates each entry as far as whether it is not required, is optional, or must be run for proper operation of your peripherals or other equipment; gives you much more information in its task manager than the one that comes standard with each version of Windows; defragments your hard drive better than the default defragmentation utility included with Windows (and is even better, in my experience, than the often highly recommended DisKeeper); examines the entire registry and repairs all errors that it finds; and so much more!
We find this to be such an indispensable tool that every time they release a new version, we make sure to update our virtual toolbox and become completely familiar with all that it can do.
So, what is the downside to this wonderfully helpful tool? Just like all other really good programs, it is not free. Also, just like many other utilities, there are some areas of the program that you do not want to use unless you know what you are doing. (If you buy the program, we will be glad to let you know what tools with which you should exercise care.)
If this sounds like a utility in which you would like to invest, let us know and we will be glad to sell you a copy for $59 and will also gladly give you some pointers on how to use it to take routine care of your computer.