CNET Editors' review
Along with necessary support for Windows Vista, Version 3 of Ashampoo PowerUp sports a new look and adds useful features such as automatic backups for restoring previous configurations and a Risk Level Monitor that displays the potential dangers of certain tweaks. It's not perfect, but a well-designed interface that logically organizes PC settings, strong performance, and a very extensive list of customization options help earn the product a top rating.
The Windows tweaks available in Ashampoo PowerUp are too numerous to list, but if you've ever wanted to customize the number of rows in your Alt Tab panel, turn off autostart for disc drives and portable devices, remove your username from the Start menu, or disable sending error reports in Office 2007, you're covered. The interface is divided into six main sections: Home, for system overview, backups, and preferences; Optimize, for fine-tuning your system, drives, network, and software programs; Clean Up, for cleaning your Registry and securely deleting files; Customize, for a wide range of tweaks for your desktop, Windows Explorer, icons, and more; Manage, for handling your AutoStart options, Windows Services, and running processes; and Information, which includes details about your PC configuration.
Under the Home -> Assistant tab, there is a helpful new Profiles option that lets you set your PC for Performance, Security, or a balance of the two. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any way to save our own customized profiles, which would be very useful for computers with more than one user. The new backup feature is logical and worked great. The new benchmarking features are interesting for comparing your PC setup with other configurations, but the final score would benefit with a bit more explanation.
We occasionally saw German dialog boxes ("Ja" or "Nein") when making tweaks with PowerUp 3, but there were no major stability problems, and resource usage was respectable. The trial alone offers full functionality for 10 days; registering for a free Ashampoo account adds an extra 30 days. That's a minor annoyance when compared with the generous 40-day evaluation period. We still highly recommend Ashampoo PowerUp for Windows users.
Publisher's Description
From Ashampoo:
Windows is so complicated that normally only experts can keep their systems properly configured and tweaked for the best performance and user experience. This hasn't gotten any better with Windows Vista--many settings have been moved or renamed and are now even harder to find.
Ashampoo PowerUp 3 is the solution if you don't want to waste endless hours learning how to configure and maintain Windows, including Windows Vista. It's a single control center for all your Windows settings and explains everything in simple language. And the new version adds more protection against incorrect settings, more control, more configuration options and makes the whole process easier than ever before. And it comes with a beautiful new graphical design for Windows Vista.
What's new in this version: Version 3.23 improves multi-language support.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 165 votes
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Current version:
2.4 starsout of 28 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Not compatible with Windows 7 64 Bit"
Version: Ashampoo PowerUp 3 3.23
Pros
Nothing to report
Cons
Not compatible with Windows 7 64 Bit
Summary
All softwares that I've been buying of Ashampoo are excellent and works in Operational System that I use 'Windows 7 64 Bit.'
I bought that software because it has characteristics that I need to use in a school but unhappily it doesn't work with in my computer.
I contact Ashampoo that confirmed me that and proposed me the refund.
I'm awaiting the release the version for use in 'Windows 7 64 Bit.' -
"load of garbage"
Version: Ashampoo PowerUp 3 3.23
Pros
No pros,cannot load
Cons
Wont even load on XP,freezes everything up,cannot even exit computer from Task Bar,have to switch off at powe point. Have tried contacting Ashampoo but no success
Summary
Waste of time and mnoney
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"Just Another Win 7 64-bit Casualty"
Version: Ashampoo PowerUp 3 3.23
Pros
Could be quite good on 32-bit, but as it is on my system - Just about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike!
Cons
Cons? Feel I have been!
Summary
Got this as part of a 'package deal' so feel a bit annoyed that the developers haven't got around to a dual version. Perhaps when they read the reviews, they might, just might, heed our disappointments, and cater for all Windows flavours.
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"Lousy! It deserves zero stars."
Version: Ashampoo PowerUp 3 3.23
Pros
Who knows? It won't load.
Cons
It won't load on my Windows 7 platform.
Summary
Ashampoo MUST know of this incompatibility with Windows 7 problem by now, and yet doesn't state so on their website.
If you use Windows 7, save your time and money; it doesn't work on this platform (this is confirmed by Ashampoo).
I e-mailed them asking for a solution, but I have not had a reply.
Their indiference has destroyed my confidence in their other products.
Updated on Apr 5, 2011 -
"Je suis d��u. Je ne peux l'utiliser car j'ai windows 7"
Version: Ashampoo PowerUp 3 3.23
Pros
Trop d'�criture anglophoneous avez pas de questionnaires fran�ais?
Cons
Fonctionne pas avec windows 7
Summary
Je l'ai achet� inutilement. Je suis tr<es d��u car c'est une promotion dont je ne peux b�n�ficier.
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"Works great with Vista 32"
Version: Ashampoo PowerUp 3 3.23
Pros
Succeeded where others failed. The restore function worked to restore more than 11000 files wiped from a memory stick. I had tried other restore functions without success. The total package provides everything you need.
Cons
Why did I not buy this sooner.....
Summary
Love, love, love this program.
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"Waste of time and money"
Version: Ashampoo PowerUp 3 3.23
Pros
I didn't like it at all. Haven't even been able to use it and emails for help to "ashampoo" went unanswered. Worthless.
Cons
Installed in on old comp I have with XP and is worthless. Main function won't work because it says requires changes by using the "Net-Frame configuration tool." I searched for this tool and cant find it anywhere. Emails to ashampoo went unanswered.
Summary
Don't waste your time or money on this piece of garbage software.
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"I too have a windows 7, 64 bit system no opinion"
Version: Ashampoo PowerUp 3 3.23
Pros
can`t use it
Cons
can`t use it
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"Don't bother if you have Win 7 64-bit. It won't work"
Version: Ashampoo PowerUp 3 3.23
Pros
nothiing good for me
Cons
Can't use it on my machine.
Summary
Can't use, so no good.
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"Very disappointed - not compatible with Windows 7 64bit"
Version: Ashampoo PowerUp 3 3.23
Pros
Purchased as part of a bundle deal with two other programs...
Cons
But this one will not install on Windows 7 64bit systems !
Summary
I have been very happy with Ashampoo products up til now, but this 'special offer' for loyal customers turned out to be very disappointing. PowerUp was the main reason that I purchased the bundle, but it will not install on most modern systems (Windows 7 - 64 bit).
There was no warning of this in either the email or when clicking through to the purchase page.
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