Manage updates with the Download AppCNET 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, 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 3.5.1000.14640 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 360 votes
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Current version:
2.0 starsout of 7 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-7 of 7
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"VERY, VERY BAD"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.5.1000.14640
Pros
NOTHING, NOTHING, AND NOTHING
Cons
1. 200MB FILE SIZE!! Like Blue Whale's weight
2. Suspicious file
3. Less awards
And many more!Summary
Use TuneUp Utilities or CCleaner or Advanced SystemCare Pro or another great software than this crap.
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"DU is complete waste of time glad I didn't buy it!"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.5.1000.14640
Pros
It quickly finds 'out of date' and so called 'defective' drivers.
Cons
Problem is that it 'found' 13 'out of date' and 'defective' drivers. I went to my own Device Manager and tried to 'update' them but ALL 13 were already installed with the latest updates! In fact three of them were updated beyond the Driver Update 'recommendation dates'!
Summary
From now on I will us my own HP Pavilion Windows 7 PC's Device Manager to check for updates and install them. No more quickee driver update software for me! CNET I know you are not to blame for this. I do believe that you do your very best to check out and recommend only quality software for us. I blame the manufacturers who make false promises and lie to us about their junk. Most of them charge us way too much to do things we can do for ourselves. A dear friend of mine once said that if you paid anything for something on the web (having to do with web security or PC maintenance) you have paid too much. How right he was my friends! Kudos to CNET who weeds out the bad apples as a rule. Happy Mother's Day to all- Jack/keimanzero in Campbelltown PA.
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"This version is same gud as the previous ones."
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.5.1000.14640
Pros
I am as satisfied as before. The new updated antispyware tool has become more efficient.Overall enhancement have pushed it towards more efficiency.
Cons
not any with this version
Summary
Still the same reliable system optimizer.
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"Great until about a year ago- My opinion, stay far away"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.5.1000.14640
Pros
Easy to download
Cons
No updates - Completely messed up my registry and drivers installed
Summary
I first purchased this program roughly 5 yrs ago and was dedicated to the performance & accuracy that it performed. Up until about a year ago (when it changed to a BOLD SYS in systweak regarding the logo and the scan now button turned green), it started acting funny and never provided an update on my definitions any longer. Up until about a year ago, I used to receive updates almost weekly, ran great and I never thought once that I had a problem. I had it loaded on three computers and all worked great. Then..something happened. Updates stopped coming on all three computers. I reimaged all three, swapped a drive out of one and used discs & downloads to get me a "fresh" copies of the program (thinking that something was downloaded on my systems. Then one day last week..it happened. I went to un-install it again and then a pop-up happened (mind you...I am computer savvy and havent seen a pop-up in probably 10 yrs or so). The pop up said something regarding possibly having a virus and offerring to contact their technical support for assistance. That told me that something was not right. I ended up installing a couple of anti-virus softwares and low and behold...a trojan was picked up. Wow, very disappointing since I have trusted this program for sooooooo many years. I immediately changed all passwords, reported everything stolen and ended up being completely disgusted. I completely reimaged all three computers again, reinstalled these other programs and never went back to systweak. Last advice..be careful what you install because it can always change processes, ownership or leadership which may end up being a complete headache. Monitor things frequently!!!
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"Bad customer support, Freezes to often"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.5.1000.14640
Pros
Many features
Cons
Indian Tech support, has froze up running 1 click system scan and doing disk check on restart with no way to cancel process and restart windows.
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"Absolutely loaded me up w/Malware & Popup Adware"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.5.1000.14640
Pros
None - could not work my way through the abundant popups and malware
Cons
I was absolutely appalled Upon downloading the software, I found that I had a new search engine that replaced google without approval with several new tool bars that I had never seen before. I had about 5 new programs I didn't ask for. It took me about 4 hours to remove all the programs that were installed and to run virus software and run windows restore. This was an abolutely awful experience and I am paranoid that I may have a virus due to the very poor performance of my laptop. Beware of this program
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"200Mb Elephant!"
Version: Advanced System Optimizer 3.5.1000.14640
Pros
Abundance of "tools". Customer service is supposed to be good (I didn't really need it).Uninstalls cleanly.
Cons
Sluggish interface, Driver Updater is VERY undependable, seems to take over computer. 200Mb program size. Privacy cleaner doesn't explain how deeply the program cleans.
Summary
I downloaded the registered version of ASO. Upon install, the program ran a preliminary scan including junk files, registry optimization and outdated drivers. Upon the (LONG!)scan's finish, it alerted me that I needed 19 drivers (this on a five month old Lenovo). It then downloaded (again, SLOWLY) the drivers and began to install them. The gamut of the drivers it suggested were either outdated (the Lenovo catching this) or were for devices not on the computer. One update resulted in an error generated in the registry- all in all pretty scary stuff. The interface is extremely sluggish, and the program has the feel overall of taking over the computer. It installs processes in the startup without asking, and puts itself in the taskbar without prompt. Overall, I found the tools to be not worth the program size considering smaller, more deft options like SlimCleaner, Puran Defrag, Privazer or CCleaner. You may have to have two of these programs to cover most of ASO's bases, but the speed and small program footprint may be worth it.
Results 1-7 of 7
