PC Performance Optimizer

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET Staff on February 27, 2009

This utility is merely another tool that removes the usual detritus from your system, but it lacks many expected options. PC Optimizer's basic interface consists of a few function buttons and a small text window. The broken text instructs users to merely press Next to start optimizing their systems. That's simple enough for even the most novice user, but savvier users will be disappointed to find there's no explanation of what takes place during the process.

PC Optimizer basically cleans out your Internet Explorer auto complete list and history, temporary files, and cleans out your Recycle Bin and index.dat. It also closes many processes. All in the name of placing your PC in the minimal CPU usage state. The program also has a simple check box set options to close all applications at startup, shut down the system after a user-selected idle period, block the Internet during selected hours, or shut down systems at a preset time. An Application Manager does make it easy to block selected programs from running. It takes just a moment to browse for the program's executable and to add it to the list.

This application's features work, but a junk file remover, a shutdown scheduler, and a simple application blocker doesn't exactly optimize a system. We've found many more robust and efficient tools in this genre. However, give PC Optimizer a test if you're in the market for just those specific utilities. It shouldn't take the full 21-day trial period to see if it works for you.