CNET Editors' review
Advanced SystemCare Free 5 uses its powerful arsenal of optimization tools to keep your PC feeling fresh and clean. It also includes a couple of features that could help boost performance for either gaming or work purposes--your choice.
Advanced SystemCare's Quick Care option includes the ability to clean your registry, perform a rudimentary malware scan, fix and remove broken shortcuts, delete junk files, and erase browsing tracks. It works in a flash, requires almost no user input, and to make things even easier, can be configured to run on system startup.
The Deep Care option, on the other hand, takes system care to another level. It performs all of the Quick Care items to a much deeper degree, plus it adds several other scans and fixes to its checklist, including disk defragmenting, a Windows vulnerability fix, and a system optimization with several presets. Understandably, this kind of deep digging can sometimes make a user nervous. Fortunately, the program's log records all of its activities, letting you see how each affects your computer.
Scan times for the Quick Care and Deep Care options differ significantly, yet, both processes still seem blazingly fast. For instance, we completed a Deep Care scan in approximately 15 minutes, which is an impressively short time for a system-invasive program like this.
Brand-new to version 5 is the Active Boost function, which runs in the background and automatically improves PC performance by managing your system resources. We recommend enabling it, as it even keeps a log of all the active processes that it manages to speed up. Also important, Version 5 connects to the cloud in order to keep its database up to date.
As for Advanced SystemCare's user interface, we were impressed, to say the least. The main dashboard is superclean, with nifty icons and intuitive navigation. Plus, there's an unimposing smiley face always at the bottom of the screen, indicating your PC's overall health. If you click the Status button next to the smiley, you can also get more detailed info from the system performance monitor.
One part of the program we recommend new users approach with extreme caution is the Turbo Boost, which can be set to optimize for either gaming or work purposes. It sounds fun, but you must first configure the tool by telling it which core system services to disable in order to accelerate your computer's performance. Since the Turbo Boost section doesn't spell out how disabling these services might affect your computer, we highly recommend doing your research before exploring. To its credit, though, Advanced SystemCare can create rescue points, so it's not hard to undo changes if you end up making any mistakes.
One small problem we found was that some of the program's options open in new windows, while others open in the same window. Those in the same window have convenient back-navigation buttons in the upper left; those in new windows are sometimes overlaid directly on top of the previous window and make it hard to see how to return to the previous screen. Also, we were a bit turned off by the cleverly disguised ad for Roboform Password Manager during installation. It looks a bit like a terms-of-service sheet, so be sure to read carefully before your instincts kick in and you automatically click Accept.
Overall, we love Advanced SystemCare's toolset, performance, and convenience. Sure, we wish the program were more explicit about how it changes your computer, but we still think it's an awesome all-in-one system utility, and we highly recommend downloading it.
Publisher's Description
From IObit:
Free registry repair and cleaner-Advanced SystemCare Free. What does it help? Slow down, freeze, crash and security threats are over. Advanced SystemCare Free is a comprehensive PC care utility that takes an one-click approach to help protect, repair and optimize your computer. Scanning and finding what other utilities miss, it can keep your PC error-free and smooth than ever. Why Advanced SystemCare Free? New PC Performance - Do you remember the feeling of a brand new PC when you first bought it? Why not try Advanced SystemCare Free, a free PC tune-up utility that focuses on the performance of your PC. Computer Crashes without Reason - Have you ever encountered your PC crashes and you even did not know why. After months or years of using your PC, there might be plenty of changes, which added burdens to your PC but never get cleaned. What Advanced SystemCare Free does is to clean the stuffs that are left over and clean craps to make your PC neat and clean. Registry Repairing and Cleaning - As an elementary part to a PC, if it does not working well, then your computer will be in big trouble. What does Advanced SystemCare Free do? It cleans the records which is unnecessary to your PC but makes the PC running slow and produces troubles. It also repair parts that are missing and make the PC complete.
What's new in this version: Version 5.1:
- Added "Privacy Sweep" support for the latest version of frequently-used software: Opera 11.6; Safari 5.1; K-Lite Codec Pack 8.00 (Full); FoxiReader 5.1; Silverlight 5.0; Xfire 1.141; Yahoo messenger 11.5; KMPlayer 3.1; Utorrent 3.1.
- Added "Performance Monitor"
- Added IObit Uninstaller v2.1
- Enhanced support for Windows 8
- Enhanced real-time optimization of ActiveBoost
- Enhanced filtering feat... See all new features
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 10,568 votes
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Current version:
4.4 starsout of 210 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Tends to be slow on most parts of the suite."
Version: Advanced SystemCare Free 5.1
Pros
It commprehensive in what it offers to work on. Probably the best part is that it is free. Then again, one tends to get what one pays for.
Cons
It does not work very speedily. I cannot tell much difference in how my computer works after running the programs. I have installed and uninstalled this suite a number of times. Still not sure I am going to keep it this time either.
Summary
From my experience with the free program, I would not buy the professional program.
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"a great product , i love it"
Version: Advanced SystemCare Free 5.1
Pros
Keeps your computer running smoothly and comes with a nice collection of helpful extras for other servicing and repair
Cons
free edition has less function
Summary
its a great alternative for tuneup utilities
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"It don't appear to clear all junk."
Version: Advanced SystemCare Free 5.1
Pros
I don't know (see comments beneath)
Cons
After running ASC 5.1.0.196 (Paid Version) it found 27+ junk files. I ran Auslogics (System Health) and it found 57 Junk Files???
Summary
(1).I may not renew my licence.
February 10, 2012 | By Vinny42
(2).ASC Support (email) don't appear to provide a heading for the above simple query.
Updated on Feb 10, 2012
Version: Advanced SystemCare Paid 5.1
The 27+ junk were cleared by ASC (Paid 5.1)then Auslogics 'System Health@ found a further 57 Junk files? -
"Decent, but not the best"
Version: Advanced SystemCare Free 5.1
Pros
Really strong atomic bomb when it comes to registry cleaners and such. Can really take care of those important fixes to speed up your computer.
Cons
I got a few BSODs with in one day while I was carrying this program.
Summary
I really don't know why it is happening with my copy of Win7 (x64), but I figured ever since I installed this product I have been getting random BSODs relating to memory. I reasoned that this program has been toying around my RAM. Make sure you know what you're doing about this thing. I'll just stick with AVG and Malwarebytes.
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"The Best System care tool I ever came across"
Version: Advanced SystemCare Free 5.1
Pros
With Advacnce System Care, the user does not need to look after the system getting sluggish, cluttered.
Cons
None yet, except, users do not get to learn the option to care for the systems
Summary
One of the best tool in the market for not only the old sluggish systems, BUT a must for every NEW system from the start.
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"great product"
Version: Advanced SystemCare Free 5.1
Pros
easy to use
Cons
none at this time
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"A fine successor to a great product"
Version: Advanced SystemCare Free 5.1
Pros
Solid construction- high speed maintenance. Many free options, and extra programs built in.
Cons
Still rather pushy with the "upgrade now" popups.
Summary
I have used Advanced System Care since it's third version, and it continues to work wonders for my computers. The software is fast, fixes lots of problems, and keeps Windows machines running smooth. A simple fix for a myriad of problems. My largest complaint is that every time the program finishes, it will give you a popup asking for you to "upgrade" and have additional paid functions unlocked. However, if you can press the cancel button, this will be a minor issue, and a puny blight on such a fine program. I recommend this to anyone with a Windows system- for free, it has a noticeable impact on your machines performance. Five stars.
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"awesome program"
Version: Advanced SystemCare Free 5.1
Pros
easy
quick
Fast
worksCons
Probably get more out of it if you bought it
Summary
It does what it says, and gets the job done right
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"keeps my computer running smoothly"
Version: Advanced SystemCare Free 5.1
Pros
great user interface
Cons
Cant think of any offhand
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"GREAT Program, keeps everything running smoothly"
Version: Advanced SystemCare Free 5.1
Pros
Keeps my system at it's prime.
Cons
the update driver program doesn't seem to work.
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