It's the secret software that tech support engineers rely on.S N Reddy must-have tools that will keep your machine shipshape. Don't worry, they are all absolutely free and easy to use
1) The PC takes time to boot to the desktop; opening and searching for files and folders is slow.
Solution: Auslogics Disk Defrag Free
Your computer's hard drive needs to be given a break once every month. The constant moving and deletion of files and folders results in data being stored in bits and pieces all over the hard disk. Accessing these fragments starts taking a toll on the drive's performance and longevity. Auslogics Disk Defrag Free (ADDF) is a light and effective tool that sets things straight; it does it while you're working on your PC (unlike the built-in Windows tool that requires you to stop all tasks while a defrag is in process). Additionally, ADDF can also strategically place system files on the hard drive where access times are the lowest, thereby improving performance. www.auslogics.com
2) The browser seems slow, and the PC becomes sluggish while connected to the internet.
Solution: Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
There is a likelihood that your PC has been infected by malware - a trojan, worm, a rootkit, etc - that insidiously works in the background for all the wrong reasons, of course. They are meant to simply cripple your machine; turn it into a bot to relay information or steal login credentials of your various online accounts. Enter Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware , a software that uses its database and heuristics to deworm your PC to the pink of health. Just make sure you use this cleaner every week and keep it updated. www.malwarebytes.org
3 ) You accidentally deleted important files, permanently, and you need them back!
Solution: Orion File Recovery Software
You will be pleasantly surprised to know that clearing the contents of the Recycle Bin does not necessarily mean that the data has been lost forever. What Windows has done is taken the record of the files' existence off its shelf. The files still exist on the hard drive, but only for a short while until they are replaced by other data. Assuming the location where the files were stored on your hard drive have not already been refreshed with new data, you can fire up Orion File Recovery and hunt them down. In fact, it can be used to scan memory cards and USB drives as well. And on the flip side, Orion can also be used to permanently delete "deleted" files. www.nchsoftware.com
4) You have no idea of your machine specs, and don't know whom to ask.
Solution: PC-Wizard
It is not important to know your PC
config by heart, but it is extremely useful to have a spec list handy, especially when you're seeking tech support from friends and your service engineer. There might be a time when you'll need to share details like the amount and kind of RAM, hard disk size and type of processor with your local tech support guy. CPU-ID's PC-Wizard is a simple info tool that scans and lists all the devices and components it discovers in your system. The list can be saved in various formats, including as an image, PDF, and HTML file. www.cpuid.com
5) You have uninstalled programs, but still see their folders in Windows Explorer.
Solution: Revo Uninstaller Free
Uninstalling software with Windows' built-in utility is good enough, right? Most of the times, yes. Sometimes, however, you might come across folders of software that you've uninstalled ages ago. Some programs do not remove all data unless explicitly instructed to do so via a check box. Others don't bother to offer such customizations and leave residual files that are usually of no use. Revo Uninstaller Free is your uninstaller on steroids; removing remnants and also including eight tools for more control over the clutter that's clogging your PC. These tools are neatly arranged in tabs and can be used to control the programs that are loaded on startup; remove junk files; and even permanently clear out data you thought you had deleted a long time ago. www.revouninstaller.com
6) Your PC keeps freezing, restarting or just crashing "randomly".
Solution: WhoCrashed
Even though it might seem that your PC is randomly doing these bizarre things, most of the time there is a pattern before which it has a seizure. Even if you aren't able to put a finger on whether it locks up after you start playing music files, opening the browser or playing a game, you can try WhoCrashed and find out whodunit. The software reads the file that's created each time a PC crashes and throws up an inference to the errant device driver. While this may not always be completely accurate, it is a simpler way to get to the root of the problem. The resulting diagnosis can also be used in technical forums, if you need more guidance. www.resplendence.com
7) The hard disk is running low on space and you would like to get rid of files that are not required.
Solution: CCleaner
Bloated temporary files and folders are a perennial problem, a problem that worsens if you prefer to use multiple web browsers. There is another issue that may arise from this problem - malware. The temporary internet files may harbour rogue files or cookies that are tracking your browsing habits and sending data back to servers on the sly. These activities not only hog system resources, they also slow the browser down. CCleaner is a one-stop shop where you can delete the temporary cache of files, cookies, and history from all your browsers - Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Opera. It will even scan the rest of the hard drive for files that it feels need to be cleared out and 'spring clean' the Registry for you. www.piriform.com/ccleaner
8) You would like to know when updates are available for the software and drivers on your PC.
Solution: SecuniaPSI
An up-to-date system has its advantages - it means that all your hardware will be running current drivers; Windows will always be primed with the patches for any reported vulnerabilities; and all installed software will sport the latest version. But you will only get to know there is an update available when you specifically start looking for one. The easier way out is a tool that shows you a neat little dashboard with a list of all the installed hardware and software - and whether they need an update or not. This is where SecuniaPSI will come handy. It will notify you when security updates for Windows are available for download as well. If this is also too tedious a process, just set it to automatically do the dirty work for you and you are sorted. www.secunia.com
9) Taking a backup of all your important stuff with Windows' built-in backup utility is more tedious than you thought.
Solution: FBackup
Windows does have a decent backup and restore system in place; unfortunately, it isn't intuitive or straightforward enough for the average user. Try Fbackup. The software lists simple backup and recovery actions that can be initiated at the click of a button. What's more - the software can be further configured with the help of free plug-ins that can also make a copy of program data and settings so you don't have to do it all over again after recovery. www.fbackup.com
1) The PC takes time to boot to the desktop; opening and searching for files and folders is slow.
Solution: Auslogics Disk Defrag Free
Your computer's hard drive needs to be given a break once every month. The constant moving and deletion of files and folders results in data being stored in bits and pieces all over the hard disk. Accessing these fragments starts taking a toll on the drive's performance and longevity. Auslogics Disk Defrag Free (ADDF) is a light and effective tool that sets things straight; it does it while you're working on your PC (unlike the built-in Windows tool that requires you to stop all tasks while a defrag is in process). Additionally, ADDF can also strategically place system files on the hard drive where access times are the lowest, thereby improving performance. www.auslogics.com
2) The browser seems slow, and the PC becomes sluggish while connected to the internet.
Solution: Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
There is a likelihood that your PC has been infected by malware - a trojan, worm, a rootkit, etc - that insidiously works in the background for all the wrong reasons, of course. They are meant to simply cripple your machine; turn it into a bot to relay information or steal login credentials of your various online accounts. Enter Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware , a software that uses its database and heuristics to deworm your PC to the pink of health. Just make sure you use this cleaner every week and keep it updated. www.malwarebytes.org
3 ) You accidentally deleted important files, permanently, and you need them back!
Solution: Orion File Recovery Software
You will be pleasantly surprised to know that clearing the contents of the Recycle Bin does not necessarily mean that the data has been lost forever. What Windows has done is taken the record of the files' existence off its shelf. The files still exist on the hard drive, but only for a short while until they are replaced by other data. Assuming the location where the files were stored on your hard drive have not already been refreshed with new data, you can fire up Orion File Recovery and hunt them down. In fact, it can be used to scan memory cards and USB drives as well. And on the flip side, Orion can also be used to permanently delete "deleted" files. www.nchsoftware.com
4) You have no idea of your machine specs, and don't know whom to ask.
Solution: PC-Wizard
It is not important to know your PC
config by heart, but it is extremely useful to have a spec list handy, especially when you're seeking tech support from friends and your service engineer. There might be a time when you'll need to share details like the amount and kind of RAM, hard disk size and type of processor with your local tech support guy. CPU-ID's PC-Wizard is a simple info tool that scans and lists all the devices and components it discovers in your system. The list can be saved in various formats, including as an image, PDF, and HTML file. www.cpuid.com
5) You have uninstalled programs, but still see their folders in Windows Explorer.
Solution: Revo Uninstaller Free
Uninstalling software with Windows' built-in utility is good enough, right? Most of the times, yes. Sometimes, however, you might come across folders of software that you've uninstalled ages ago. Some programs do not remove all data unless explicitly instructed to do so via a check box. Others don't bother to offer such customizations and leave residual files that are usually of no use. Revo Uninstaller Free is your uninstaller on steroids; removing remnants and also including eight tools for more control over the clutter that's clogging your PC. These tools are neatly arranged in tabs and can be used to control the programs that are loaded on startup; remove junk files; and even permanently clear out data you thought you had deleted a long time ago. www.revouninstaller.com
6) Your PC keeps freezing, restarting or just crashing "randomly".
Solution: WhoCrashed
Even though it might seem that your PC is randomly doing these bizarre things, most of the time there is a pattern before which it has a seizure. Even if you aren't able to put a finger on whether it locks up after you start playing music files, opening the browser or playing a game, you can try WhoCrashed and find out whodunit. The software reads the file that's created each time a PC crashes and throws up an inference to the errant device driver. While this may not always be completely accurate, it is a simpler way to get to the root of the problem. The resulting diagnosis can also be used in technical forums, if you need more guidance. www.resplendence.com
7) The hard disk is running low on space and you would like to get rid of files that are not required.
Solution: CCleaner
Bloated temporary files and folders are a perennial problem, a problem that worsens if you prefer to use multiple web browsers. There is another issue that may arise from this problem - malware. The temporary internet files may harbour rogue files or cookies that are tracking your browsing habits and sending data back to servers on the sly. These activities not only hog system resources, they also slow the browser down. CCleaner is a one-stop shop where you can delete the temporary cache of files, cookies, and history from all your browsers - Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Opera. It will even scan the rest of the hard drive for files that it feels need to be cleared out and 'spring clean' the Registry for you. www.piriform.com/ccleaner
8) You would like to know when updates are available for the software and drivers on your PC.
Solution: SecuniaPSI
An up-to-date system has its advantages - it means that all your hardware will be running current drivers; Windows will always be primed with the patches for any reported vulnerabilities; and all installed software will sport the latest version. But you will only get to know there is an update available when you specifically start looking for one. The easier way out is a tool that shows you a neat little dashboard with a list of all the installed hardware and software - and whether they need an update or not. This is where SecuniaPSI will come handy. It will notify you when security updates for Windows are available for download as well. If this is also too tedious a process, just set it to automatically do the dirty work for you and you are sorted. www.secunia.com
9) Taking a backup of all your important stuff with Windows' built-in backup utility is more tedious than you thought.
Solution: FBackup
Windows does have a decent backup and restore system in place; unfortunately, it isn't intuitive or straightforward enough for the average user. Try Fbackup. The software lists simple backup and recovery actions that can be initiated at the click of a button. What's more - the software can be further configured with the help of free plug-ins that can also make a copy of program data and settings so you don't have to do it all over again after recovery. www.fbackup.com
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