Ashampoo PowerUp XP 2.1

• Quick specs
• Price: Free to try $39.99 to buy (Buy it now)
• Operating system: Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000
• Date added: February 19, 2004
• Total Downloads: 74,959
• Downloads last week: 268
• See full specifications

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A newer version of Ashampoo PowerUp XP is available.

Download the latest version | Learn more about Ashampoo PowerUp XP 2.2

(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: CNET staff on March 16, 2009

Nothing could be easier than one click to change and customize Windows XP settings, but even with guidance, the novice user will be overwhelmed with all of this program's options.

Ashampo PowerUp XP is listed as freeware, but you will have to register to get it. The demo version is only good for 10 days. The well-organized interface is easy to follow, with a left-hand sash that leads to the seven main categories, which includes Windows, Boot Options, and Security. The main display depends on which category you pick, but each section is organized the same way, with check boxes next to a brief but descriptive setting, and tabs to organize subcategories.

For the novice user, some options, like the general settings to clean up areas like the TEMP folder automatically at start-up, will be easy to follow. Others, however, like Process AUTOEXEC.BAT won't make much sense. There's a Help button, which gives detailed information, but could still leave inexperienced users unsure of a setting's impact. That said, you can easily make changes in nearly every system area, and while many of the settings can be accomplished with standard system tools, PowerUp XP2 puts everything in one package and wraps it nicely for the user.

Intermediate XP users and above will get the most from this app, and they'll appreciate PowerUP XP's straightforward all-in-one approach for tweaking common, and not so common, XP settings.

Publisher's description

Ashampoo PowerUp XP is a convenient tool for fine-tuning your Windows NT 4, 2000, or XP configuration to suit your precise needs and wishes. It gives you direct access to many frequently required settings and parameters, enabling you to make your operating system behave the way you want.

Many settings supported by Ashampoo PowerUp XP are not available directly in Windows at all; to change them yourself, you would have to edit the Windows Registry directly--which is usually a bad idea, in addition to being inconvenient and requiring a lot of expert knowledge. Ashampoo PowerUp XP enables you to give your system the sort of tune-up that is normally only possible for very experienced users. It actually consists of two programs (or three, if you include the Language Editor): the program itself, which provides the controls for editing and tuning Windows functions and settings, and the brand-new Function Editor, with which you can both edit the existing functions in the function database and add new functions of your own.

Version 2.1 includes optional spam blocking.

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