CNET Editors' review
As with any machine, your PC needs regular tune-ups to maintain peak performance. This virtual toolbox can enhance the speed, safety, and power of your computer with a wide range of functions and an extensive help system.
System Mechanic performs cleanup, optimization, and privacy protection with equal agility. As with similar tune-up utilities, it enables you to clean up your registry, remove junk files, and customize hidden settings to improve performance. Novice users can get all of that done at once or automatically taken care of via the software's ActiveCare feature. The app has additional tools for removing spyware and for defragmenting your hard drive, eliminating the need for multiple utility programs. For example, the Configure Windows Startup tool shows the list of applications and services that automatically start with the computer and allows for disabling or removing them individually. This is a handy tool that replaces the "Software Explorer" part that Microsoft has taken out of the Windows Defender in Windows 7. The program is 32-bit, but it will work with Windows 7 64-bit.
There is an undo function that restores your system to its previous state, but it's hidden in the SafetyNet tab and doesn't allow you to bring back one item at a time. The program also lacks a system profiler, and has problems recognizing some antivirus programs such as AVG and ZoneAlarm. Also, when you do a "Deep System analysis," which can take a while, the process can't be canceled. These problems aside, System Mechanic is one of the most complete, effective, and easy-to-use tune-up utilities we've seen to date.
Publisher's Description
From iolo technologies:
System Mechanic Free keeps your PC running at peak performance and stability with advanced PC tune-up, repair and maintenance features. Using 7 safe and effective tools, its exclusive patented technology fixes registry errors, defrags hard drives, cleans up junk files, accelerates downloads, boosts Windows speed, and ensures maximum ongoing system stability. Consistently top-rated since 1998, this award-winning performance solution is trusted by over 40 million people to keep over 75 million PCs worldwide problem-free and running like new. System Mechanic Free delivers 7 essential features that enable you to automatically resolve errors, slowdowns and crashes: Registry Tuner: A safe, effective, and highly advanced problem solver and error repair tool, Registry Tuner diagnoses and resolves the most common root causes of mysterious freezes, slowdowns, and crashes. Startup Optimizer: Automatically eliminates startup bottlenecks that choke the life out of a PC and make Windows take ages to start. Supercharges boot-times and frees up resources for improved overall performance. Memory Mechanic: Reclaims RAM orphaned by memory leaks and sloppy programs for an instant speed boost. Optimizes and defragments memory for snappier programs, downloads, and gaming experience. PC Cleanup: Performs a system-wide scan for junk and obsolete files left over from messy programs and unexpected restarts. Safely cleans out hazardous system-clogging clutter that accumulates over time through everyday use. Drive Accelerator: Performs advanced hard drive defragmentation for accelerated Windows load times, program startup, and overall system speed. Shortcut Repair: Finds and automatically fixes broken or corrupted Windows shortcut icons that can represent the root of frustrating problems on an otherwise stable PC. Internet Connection Repair: Automatically heals broken and chronically unstable internet connections to get you back online and keep you connected when you most need to be.
What's new in this version: Version 10.8.1 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.0 starsout of 704 votes
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Current version:
3.4 starsout of 22 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"So far so good."
Version: System Mechanic Free 10.8.1
Pros
I was using anothe suite that always messed up my registry and I had to re-install software every time. So far with the paid version of SM, it's working well. I've seen a noticeable improvement in performance. Paying for one license for 3 pc's is also a plus.
Cons
I'm suspicious of all the problems it says it found. It seemed like an awful lot, but we'll see.
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"Excellent and easy to use"
Version: System Mechanic Free 10.8.1
Pros
Works as promised on PC and laptop
Cons
have not found any
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"Unstable and unreliable"
Version: System Mechanic Free 10.8.1
Pros
Fixes most simple problems without a problem. It also allows you to choose when to fix and what to fix (see below why this is important).
Cons
Fixes many thinks that are not broken. Tries to fix things that work and should not be touched. Fortunately most of the time you can skip the fixing part and just evaluate what's wrong to make your own decision. However, the odd time when it does not give you the chance, the results may be less than stellar.
Summary
I've used the product over the last 4 years and it was working really well in my old XP machine (which I still own and maintain using the product). However, when I moved to my new W7 machine a year and a half ago, the product started to behave badly, giving me unreliable information and crating more problems than it was fixing. For example, it ALWAYS try to fix an register problem that breaks down the MS Office 2010 configuration. A couple of times, it also broke down registry entries to other software I use and I had to restore my system using Windows Utilities. My patience finished when a few months back it started showing disk errors and misaligned files. I panicked and I ran the utility to clean it up... Well, W7 never started again. Fortunately I am a power user and I was able to recover the system. This is still showing up, but needles to say, I am not running the utility again. I have run other tools and they do not show any type of problem with my disk and/or my files. My subscription is running out and I am going to let it expire since I will be getting rid of the only place when it works fine: My XP machine.
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"I have been using system mechanic for a couple of years"
Version: System Mechanic Free 10.8.1
Pros
It works behind the scenes to keep the computer running smothly.......
I think it {the paid version} is fantastic...
It works in the backgroung keeping the computer running smoothly.......Cons
I cannot think of any at this time...
Summary
G r e a t !!!!!!! Five Stars {at least} *****
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"Complete, comprehensive PC Maintenance and Optimization"
Version: System Mechanic Free 10.8.1
Pros
Well balanced in terms of a Software that will repair your PC System, Optimize it, and Maintain it in excellent, working condition.
System Mechanic has many unique and innovative features that other products of its' type don't offer.Cons
Not as registry focused and intensive as some other products I've tried, such as RegZooka. It turns out that System Mechanic did not find all Registry errors. So some of the deeper problems weren't fixed.
Some of the Features, like the software updater can be annoying, and can slow down your system a bit.Summary
Although not as strong at fixing the Registry as some of the other products that I've tried, System Mechanic is still a well balanced, complete and comprehensive product of its' type that money can buy. Just about all my PC Errors were fixed with the free version alone, so I didn't even have to buy it, but I did anyway because its' worth it in the long run.
Depending on your PC expertise level, you can do the repairs, optimization, and maintenance yourself, using experience and the standard Windows OS alone. But who has time to do so! And why, when you can buy Registry Mechanic for a great price, and get all your PC errors fixed in no time! Try the free trial today.
For those wanting Security Features such as a Firewall and Antivirus all in one product, you may want to try System Mechanic Pro. Visit the website today! -
"Avoid this software AT ALL COSTS!"
Version: System Mechanic Free 10.8.1
Pros
Truthfully??? None!
Cons
This software cannot match its claims. And you'll be continuously bombarded with emails from the company...every day it sometimes seems!
Summary
The claims of 'improving the speed and performance' of your PC are way out of line: I had a slow PC,and after I installed the software and tried all the 'fixes',there was absolutely no difference at all. I finally decided never to use this software again during last year,whilst running a 'File Realignment' scan. It LITERALLY caused my hard-drive and CPU to 'pop' and blow up...lost everything! Look at other personal reviews on the Web,and you'll notice hardly any have a good word to say! Oh,and the 'Support'seems to be just some kind of sick joke...be warned!
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"It's Ok...but very annoying."
Version: System Mechanic Free 10.8.1
Pros
It helps with registry errors and unneccessary start up files. I also like the various PC Utilities (I use the paid version)
Cons
It constantly spams for me to renew and pay for my account (I have over 300 days until I need to renew). It has a new system update to download every single day. It unneccesarily defragments hard drive (it spams every 3 days to defragment...time consuming and unneccessary that often)
Summary
I would give it 4 or 5 stars if it didn't spam me constantly for unneccessary stuff. I don't want to delete it because I paid for it, and I like SOME of the features it provides. The company is unwilling to offer refund, so I'm stuck with it. I will not be renewing this service next year.
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"Just awful"
Version: System Mechanic Free 10.8.1
Pros
It is free, this is the only pros.
Cons
Anything else.
Summary
Pass on it, I'd better use Windows 7 Manager.
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"Don't you do it!"
Version: System Mechanic Free 10.8.1
Pros
Comes with an uninstaller. Was free so I didn't lose any money.
Cons
Slowed my XP system to a crawl. What a POS.
Summary
Got a free disk from <a major internet electronics site> with a hardware order. Installed it on my least critical system. After the first scan the program claimed to have found hundreds of registry errors and poor system optimization. This system was already very clean and optimized, but I thought maybe this software could make it even better. WRONG! After allowing the clean and optimization, the system slowed to a crawl. Evidently System Mechanic runs full time in the background and wrestled with my antivirus software for control of the PC. CPU utilization was near 100% with no other apps running. Uninstalled it and cleaned up the registry with my other programs, and things returned to normal. AVOID.
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"Excellent tool for keeping PC/Laptop in top order"
Version: System Mechanic Free 10.8.1
Pros
Intuitive, fast, loads of individual cleanup tools which can be used one by one or as a suite
Cons
Defragmentation tool reminder keeps cropping up even though in the options box I have specified that I do NOT want to be reminded. In any event I do not believe the narrative showing level of defragmentation.
Summary
Excellent tool for keeping PC/Laptop in top order
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