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Apr 30, 2024 · Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, browsers. PCMag's top pick for software that can control of other computers is TeamViewer. Almost everything you need is free for personal use: desktop sharing, file...
- PCMag UK
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- January 15, 1994
- VLC. When you are talking about the best open-source software for Windows 11, you simply can’t miss the VLC media player. It’s one of the best media players not just on Windows, but also on Linux, Android, macOS, and iOS.
- ShareX. There are many screenshot tools on Windows including the native Snipping tool, Greenshot, Lightshot, etc., but nothing comes close to ShareX. It’s a free and open-source program that allows you to take all kinds of screenshots on Windows.
- OBS Studio. OBS Studio is a professional-grade software used by streamers and broadcasters, but did you know that it’s completely open-source? More than 500 users have contributed to the OBS project to make it a powerful live streaming and screen recording software.
- Rufus. Rufus is another great open-source utility for Windows 11. You can use it to create a bootable USB for Windows 11 and also bypass many of the system requirements of Windows 11.
- Overview
- The best free PC cleaner of 2024 in full:
- 1. Fortect
- 2. Iolo System Mechanic
- 3. Restoro
- 4. IObit Advanced SystemCare Free
- 5. CCleaner
- 6. Ashampoo WinOptimizer
- 7. Razer Cortex
- Which PC optimizer is best for you?
Best
By Daryl Baxter
last updated 3 January 2024
Free software for optimizing your PC efficiently
Jump to:
•Best overall
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Reasons to buy
+ User friendly + Fast scanning + Good at identifying threats
Reasons to avoid
- No live chat or phone support Fortect comes with a wide array of tools, with PC optimizer being one of them. One can use it to clean up junk files, repair registry issues, and free up valuable disk space. Fortect can also be used to seek out and remove malware and other malicious programs that slow the computer down. On top of that, the software can monitor the PC in real-time, alerting the user any time malware appears in newly downloaded files or installed applications. The software can also repair or replace damaged or missing operating system files. A scan lasts around 5 minutes, give or take, after which the program issues a report with a detailed breakdown of privacy vulnerabilities, damaged or missing OS files, malware (if there is any), and general stability issues. Depending on the issues Fortect discovers, it can try and repair the registry, replace corrupt or missing system files, and rid the hard drive of any junk. Installing and using Fortect is a simple and quick matter. The interface is quite easy to understand and is very intuitive, so even people who are not that tech-savvy won’t have trouble figuring it out. There's direct support via email, with user guides and FAQs on the website if you need any kind of help or if you encounter any issues. However, there is no live chat or phone support. Apart from being free, there’s also a paid option for users who want extra features. Fortect has three pricing plans: One year (€65.95 annually, for unlimited yearly repairs for one PC), Multi-device (€95.95 for unlimited yearly repairs for three PCs), and Ultimate (€125.95 for unlimited yearly repairs for five PCs). Read our full Fortect review. •^ Back to the top
Reasons to buy
+ One-click cleanup + Clear, detailed analysis + Choice of scan types
Reasons to avoid
- Some features premium-only Update: A recent change to Iolo's checkout process means you will be automatically subscribed to a $19.99 per month support package when you purchase a product. So make sure to double-check before entering your payment details that this is actually what you want to add to your purchase. Iolo System Mechanic removes junk files and unwanted apps, blocks bloatware and unwanted auto-run settings, clears out RAM and wipes various logs, browser histories and caches. Not only does this free up key system resources, it also eliminates traces of your browsing activity to protect your privacy. Its PC optimization toolkit really does make a difference; whenever we've tested System Mechanic we've found a significant speed improvement, especially at startup. The free edition is excellent, but the two premium versions – System Mechanic and System Mechanic Pro – are well worth considering if you find yourself using it regularly – and Iolo is offering a 70% discount with the voucher code TECHRADAR. The genuine performance boost we saw after running System Mechanic made it our favorite PC optimizer. Read on for four more of the best apps around for speeding up your Windows PC. Read our full Iolo System Mechanic review. •^ Back to the top
Reasons to buy
+ Great essentials + Fast, efficient scans + Very competitive prices
Reasons to avoid
- Limited free version Restoro doesn’t boast the biggest feature list we’ve seen, but it does a great job of providing the essentials and managing those well without adding too many unnecessary extras. Numerous problems are scanned for, listed if found, and repaired with the powerful system repair tool. All Restoro scans include built-in malware detection. Any suspicious files will be immediately identified, and you can decide whether or not they need to be removed. If you have one of the two unlimited use plans, you will benefit from the power of Restoro’s excellent real-time monitoring tools. These are designed to help you keep tabs on your computer, identifying potentially dangerous apps or security breaches before any damage is caused. This should be quite self-explanatory, but Restoro’s full money-back guarantee basically means that you can request a full refund if you’re not happy with the program’s performance. The only negative is that the free version allows you to run the software, but not any of the repair tools. Read our full Restoro review. •^ Back to the top
Reasons to buy
+ Clean, customizable interface + One-click and auto cleanup
Reasons to avoid
- Can't exclude individual files - Extra software in installer IObit Advanced SystemCare comes in two forms: a free edition version that covers basic house cleaning, and a Pro version that adds internet speed-boosting, real-time optimization, privacy protection, deep registry cleaning and 24/7 technical support, and the license covers three PCs. Whichever edition you choose, IObit Advanced SystemCare's interface is well designed, easy to use and unlikely to frighten even the newest PC user. We'd deduct points for an installer that wants to add additional programs - that's hardly in keeping with the philosophy of keeping unwanted stuff off your computer - but they're easy to avoid if you choose a custom installation. Like most of the PC optimizers here, it cleans up files and folders you don't need, neatens up the Windows registry and corrects errors on your hard drive – all via a simple, slick dashboard. Read our full IObit Advanced SystemCare Free review. •^ Back to the top
Reasons to buy
+ Frees up disk space + Easy to use + For desktop and mobile
Reasons to avoid
- Duplicates many Windows tools CCleaner has been around for a long time, and part of the reason for its ongoing popularity is that it cleans the parts of your PC that many other free system optimization tools don't. There's a paid-for version of the optimization toolkit that adds real time protection and cleanup scheduling but the free edition of CCleaner covers the important stuff such as removing temporary files, getting rid of browser caches, removing unwanted cookies while keeping the useful ones and so on. If your PC just feels sluggish then this is the free PC optimizer to try first. It doesn't have all the advanced features of apps like System Mechanic, but the stuff it does clear is famous for slowing down PCs. Read our full Piriform CCleaner review. •^ Back to the top
Reasons to buy
+ Quick, thorough scans + Descriptive interface + Comprehensive toolkit
Reasons to avoid
- Adds store links to desktop Ashampoo WinOptimizer's biggest selling point is its flexibility – you can scan for junk files, broken registry entries and browser cookies with a single click, and erase them all with one more. Alternatively, you can dive deeper by selecting the 'Details' button to review the results of your scan one by one. Unlike some PC optimizers, Ashampoo WinOptimizer gives you a full description of each issue it's identified, explaining exactly what it is, and why you should consider removing it. You can then make an informed decision about whether to erase or keep it. WinOptimizer also includes a suite of 'modules' for routine maintenance tasks like defragging hard drives and optimizing startup processes. These are all tasks that could be accomplished within Windows itself, but having them all in one location is much more convenient than trawling through menus. Read our full review: Ashampoo WinOptimizer. •^ Back to the top
Reasons to buy
+ Frees up RAM for games + Provides FPS stats + Frequently updated
Reasons to avoid
- Contains some unnecessary extras If your system struggles when you're trying to get your game on, Razer Cortex could well be the answer. This free PC optimizer suspends unnecessary system processes, clears out memory and defrags your system to get the very best game performance possible. Razer Cortex is available for Windows 7, 8 and 10, and while the differences won't make you jump up and down in astonishment - for most people the results will mean slightly smoother visuals rather than astonishing performance improvements - it does automate the fiddly process of turning off unnecessary software and services when it's time to play. Read our full review: Razer Cortex. •^ Back to the top We've also listed the best free torrent client.
When deciding which PC optimizer to download and use, first consider what your actual needs are, as sometimes free platforms will only give you access to tools on a one-time basis, but for regular PC cleaning you may find a paid subscription is much more worthwhile. Additionally, budget software options can sometimes prove limited when it comes to ...
Apr 30, 2024 · Now Windows 10 and 11 users have Windows Snip & Sketch, an evolutionary leap akin to protoplasm turning into hominids—albeit still lacking things like video and voice capture. Still, the...
May 17, 2024 · The best free office software makes it simple and easy to use office documents and spreadsheets without having to pay for a subscription.
Feb 25, 2022 · Mod your system with these easy-to-install utilities for Windows 10 and 11 to make your machine faster and easier to use.
Jan 16, 2023 · Here we have collected a list of free tools for Windows 11 that average and advanced users will benefit from in their day-to-day tasks. 1. QuickLook. Windows 11 lets you view the large thumbnail of images in File Explorer.
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