CNET Editors' review
Advanced System Optimizer 3 gives people a comprehensive suite of utilities fronted by an interface that showcases an excellent use of color-coded icons, making banal system tasks easy to complete--if not exciting. However, its restrictive trial could prevent some people from fully exploring the program.
The program attempts to be all things to all people, and includes tools that can be split into three categories: maintenance, security, and backup. Advanced System Optimizer focuses on the maintenance side of things, and includes a Registry optimizer and cleaner, a disk defragmenter, a disk repair utility that claims to fix errors before drive failure, an explorer for managing disk usage by file type and size, a memory optimizer for freeing RAM, a game mode, and a driver updater. Security is not the focus here, but it does include malware protection, secure deletion, and a file encryption utility. Backup and recovery features include rescuing deleted files, a backup manager that streamlines restoration, and a separate system file backup and restore feature. The Smart PC Care feature is new, and allows users to run multiple maintenance tasks with one click.
The new main window is well-crafted and takes a page from security suites by providing status updates in one place, letting you know what the problems are in general terms. At the end of a scan, a small Details link will appear to the right of the scan type. Click it to drill down to see specifically which files, Registry entries, or cookies will be deleted. The harsh trial compares favorably with its competitors, but, like them, it's so tight that most users will find it challenging to fairly evaluate the program's efficacy.
Editors' note, November 6, 2009: The review has been updated to fix an inaccuracy, but the overall score has not changed.
Publisher's Description
From Systweak:
Advanced System Optimizer v. 3, a multi-functional system performance and optimization suite for Windows. This collection of tools lets you supercharge your PC's performance, enhance its security, tweak and optimize its settings, and customize and personalize your screens. Registry Cleaner makes your system more stable by cleaning out the bad Registry entries that build up each time you install and uninstall software. The program's Registry Optimizer defragments and rebuilds your Registry, making your entire system run more smoothly and quickly. The program includes powerful tools to clean and optimize your hard drives. The System Cleaner removes clutter and unnecessary files from your PC, allowing it to run more quickly. The Disk Optimizer defragments your hard drive, keeping it running efficiently. The Disk Explorer tells you which files and folders are taking up too much space, and makes it easy to manage disk usage. Advanced System Optimizer's Windows Optimizers keep Windows running faster. The Driver Updater ensures that all of your hardware devices have up-to-date drivers. The Memory Optimizer ensures that memory is released properly when you stop running each program on your system. There is even a Game Optimizer that creates a special environment so that games run faster.
The software has Security and Privacy tools to protect you from malware and identify theft. System Protector provides realtime protection against spyware, trojans, and other malware. The Privacy Protector erases your Internet history and other private files that could be used to track your online activities. The Secure Delete function permanently deletes files and folders so that this data can never be recovered. The Secure Encryptor lets you add password protection to sensitive files. Backup and recovery tools ensure that your information is safe, even if your hard drive crashes. The program can back up all of the important files that you create, as well as the system files that Windows needs to start and run your computer. The Undelete function lets you restore files that you accidentally deleted. You can even save files from deleted partitions. By making it simple to do routine management on your system, Advanced System Optimizer keeps your computer running smoothly. You can manage the Windows Startup process, ensure that programs are uninstalled properly, and automatically schedule your detection and maintenance scans.
What's new in this version: Version 3.2.648.11676 is now translated in to 6 international languages. Some issues related to System and Privacy protector have been fixed.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 307 votes
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Current version:
3.5 starsout of 23 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Better go for iobit's advanced system care."
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.2.648.11676
Pros
never tried this
Cons
never tried this
Summary
try advanced system CARE from iobit. It is really free for almost everything that you can think of and that you did not know.
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"NOT FREE!!!!!!!!"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.2.648.11676
Pros
IT IS NOT FREE
Cons
!It's marked as free, does it's thing and forces you to register with a paid serial number in order to fix anything. Worthless, don't even bother downloading!
Summary
I had this software last year when the free version actually worked. Now it installs itself to make you believe it'll work for free and doesn't. Not even partially work. DO NOT DOWNLOAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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"Skeptical, not worth money"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.2.648.11676
Pros
Worked to tune my computer
Found on Ebay for less moneyCons
1. Not happy to find it is a yearly subscription
2. While using the program to update my drivers, my hard drive crashed and in spite of trying to repair or restore, I could not revive it and lost several weeks of files and photos. (Be sure to do a backup before using this program as the software and common sense warns). Can't be sure I can blame the program for my drive crashing but suspicious. The drive is just over 3 years old.Summary
Going back to using th free "Win Utilities" program.
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"Works OK but you will be sucked for cash."
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.2.648.11676
Pros
Seems to do what is says in a simple enough user interface. Any websites that say it is an award winning product might be their own sites - make sure any review you rely on is bonafide independent.
Cons
I bought a lifetime license. Yet the license key only lasts for one year. So it's a hoopla to renew it.
After a few years they release a new version then want to sting me for a full purchase. I showed them their EULA text that clearly states my entitlement to upgrades. But they say no it doesn't mean that.
Don't loose your order number or records of purchase.
Finally they concede to renew my license key.Summary
Program OK - Not so sure about the cost now it's subscription based. Seems expensive to me.
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"IT WORKED FIRST TIME"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.2.648.11676
Pros
MY SONS EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE FROZE DURING A DOWNLOAD ALSO CAUSING HIS COMPUTER TO FREEZE. WHEN HE REBOOTED THE EXTERNAL DRIVE WAS RECOGNIZED IN "MY COMPUTER" BUT WOULD NOT OPEN. TRIED SEVERAL OTHER COMPUTERS BUT TO NO AVAIL.
WHEN TO CNET AND AFTER DOWNLOADING KEY NAME "RECOVERY" DISCOVERED A SOFTWARE CALLED VIRTUAL LAB. TRIED THIS, BUT IT FROZE AFTER ABOUT 85% SCAN OF THE DRIVE. TRIED IT SEVERAL TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THEN DOWNLOADED FILE SCAVENGER. IT WAS ABLE TO SCAN THE ENTIRE EXTERNAL DRIVE, BUT IN ORDER TO RECOVER THE DATA WHICH WAS MOVIES, PICTURES AND MUSIC I HAD TO PURCHASE THE FULL ERSION FOR $49.00. IT TOOK ABOUT 8 HOURS TO RECOVER ALL THE FILES WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 250 GIGS OF DATA. APPEARS ALL THE DATA IS IN GOOD SHAPE. I AM NOT PARTICULARLY COMPUTER SAVY AND FOUND THE SOFTWARE INTERFACE PRETTY USER FRIENDLY, OR PERHAPS I JUST GOT A BIT LUCKY. HIGHLY RECOMMENDCons
ONLY CON IS THAT I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FREE DOWNLOAD ON CNET. AND IT IS IF YOU WANT THE DEMO MODEL WHICH WILL IDENTIFY THE FILES AND ERRORS THAT WAS FOUND. BUT TO RECOVER THE DATA I HAD TO BUY THE FULL VERSION FOR $49.00. A LITTLE NOTATION TO THIS EFFECT ON THE CNET DOWNLOAD PAGE WOULD BE NICE.
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"best ........ number one a world"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.2.648.11676
Pros
junk cleaner poor!!!!
Cons
best ......best ...best
Summary
one 1
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"Sucked in big time"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.2.648.11676
Pros
Software appears to work very well
Cons
AS with another reviewer I bought from Herman Street and was NOT informed it was a yearly subscription. Now the program is locked. Lucky for them this company is not based in Australia. They can't legally get away with that here! My solution: delete the product and never buy from Herman Street again.
Summary
Misleading advertising.
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"Security tool is very effective."
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.2.648.11676
Pros
From system security to system optimization every thing is available in this suite.
Internet surfing has become safe with the help of System Protector a security tool available in the Advanced System Optimizer.Cons
seriously speaking nothing from my side.
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"Disappointing..."
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.2.648.11676
Pros
-Seemed to work ok
Cons
-YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION not a one-time purchase
Summary
I purchased this program from Herman Street and while researching the program through Cnet. It was a great program while I was using it but then after a year of having it the program stopped working due to needing a new registration code. What they fail to tell you when you purchase the program is that it is a SUBSCRIPTION not just a one time purchase. For someone like me who doesn't have $30 to $40 to drop every year on a program is just not worth it. They should tell you upfront (on any website reviewing/selling the program) that it's a yearly cost not a one-time cost. So frustrating!
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"Lst vers. so traumatizing, will stay away from this one"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.2.648.11676
Pros
...thus can't say anything about it here!
Cons
dito can't say anything here!
Summary
still lookin' for a free product my laptop can "marry" while still alive
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