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AVG PC TuneUp

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TuneUp Utilities
Developer(s)TuneUp Software GmbH
Initial release1997; 27 years ago (1997)[1]
Stable release
2011 (Version 10.0.4010.20) / 12 April 2011; 13 years ago (2011-04-12)
Operating systemWindows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7
PlatformIntel x86 - 32bit and x64
Size19.5 MB
Available inEnglish, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Japanese and Russian[1]
TypeUtility software
LicenseProprietary commercial software
Websitewww.tune-up.com

TuneUp Utilities is a utility software suite for Microsoft Windows designed to help manage, maintain, optimize, configure and troubleshoot a computer system. It is produced and developed by TuneUp Software GmbH, headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany and co-founded by Tibor Schiemann and Christoph Laumann in 1997.[2][3] The American version of the software is distributed by TuneUp Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of TuneUp Software GmbH located in Miami, Florida.[1]

As of 2011, nine versions of TuneUp Utilities have been released and the number of included components have been increased from sixteen to thirty-two. TuneUp Utilities have attained generally positive reviews, although multiple reviewers did not approve of its price for value.

Features

TuneUp Utilities 2011, the latest version of the product, consists of 30 different components, all of which can be accessed from within a central hub, called TuneUp Start Center. Most of these components can also be invoked from the Start menu. TuneUp Start Center itself can show the components either in a category view (default) or in a list view.

Status and recommendations

The Status and recommendations category houses four sub-sections: 1-Click Maintenance, Performance Optimizer, Fix Problems and Live Optimization. The 1-Click Maintenance section runs multiple routine maintenance tools at once. The Performance Optimizer offers tips that can lead to increased system performance, such as disabling unnecessary visual effects, disabling Windows services that users of that computer never use and removing programs that are not used for months. The Fix Problems section provides tips to help fix potential problems. For example, it asks users to run TuneUp Disk Doctor every three month to check for hard disk problems. The Live Optimization is intended to improve the responsiveness of Windows applications by tweaking their execution priorities.

File:TuneUp Utilities 2011 in list view mode.png
TuneUp Utilities 2011 in list view mode, showing all its 30 components.

System Optimizations

The Optimize system section includes TuneUp Program Deactivator, which unloads programs from memory and prevents their further automatic execution, an alternative to uninstalling them. While disabled programs continue to consume disk space, they no longer affect the startup time, the shutdown time and the system performance.[4] Other components include a defragmentation tool, a registry cleaner, and a startup manager to replace MSConfig.

Disk cleanup

The Gain disk space section itself is a disk cleanup component which replaces Windows Disk Cleanup. It also gives access to TuneUp Disk Space Explorer (a disk space analyzer) and TuneUp Shredder (a data erasure tool).

Troubleshooting tools

The Fix problems section provides access to TuneUp Repair Wizard which allows users to selectively repair problems that TuneUp Utilities cannot automatically detect; e.g. icons getting corrupted or items like My Computer and Recycle Bin permanently vanished from Windows Desktop. Other items include a graphical replacement for Windows CHKDSK, a task manager, a system information tool and an undeletion tool.

Windows customization

The last section provides access to TuneUp Styler and TuneUp System Control. TuneUp System Control is a program that allows access to some of the obscure or harder-to-access settings of Microsoft Windows, similar to Tweak UI. TuneUp Styler allows for customization of the Windows user interface by changing the desktop appearance, icons, and the logon and startup screens.

Turbo Mode

The Turbo Mode, accessible from the bottom of Start Center, gives system a performance boost by temporarily disabling some of Windows services and features of user's choice, such as Windows Aero themes and visual effects.[4][5]

Development

Supported operating systems
Operating system Earliest
version 		Latest
version 		 
Windows 95 97 2003 [6]
Windows 98 97 2007 [7]
Windows Me 2003 2007 [7]
Windows 2000 2003 2008 [8]
Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or earlierA 2003 2008 [8]
Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or laterA 2009 2011 [9]
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition 2006 2011 [9]
Windows Vista 2007 2011 [9]
Windows 7 2010 2011 [9]

The first version of the software, TuneUp 97, was released in 1997.[1] Since then, eight versions have been released over the years.[10]

TuneUp Utilities 2003[10]
The first version to have become available in English[6] and French,[11] as well as the original German language. It consists of 16 individual tools accessible through the Start Center, as well as the Windows start menu. It includes features to clean the hard disks, clean and defragment the Windows Registry, optimize Windows and Internet connection settings and change the look and feel of Windows. It also provides features targeted at users with an intermediate or advanced level of computer knowledge that enables them to edit the registry, manage running processes, uninstall programs, shred and undelete files, and display system information.[12] In addition to the previously-supported Windows 95 and Windows 98, TuneUp Utilities 2003 also supports Windows 2000, Me and Windows XP.[6]
TuneUp Utilities 2004[10]
Introduces TuneUp 1-Click Maintenance and TuneUp WinStyler (the predecessor TuneUp Styler.[13]).[2] Also includes registry defragmentation support for Windows 2000 and XP.[8]
TuneUp Utilities 2006[10]
In TuneUp Utilities 2006, optimization, customization and disk cleaning tools support Mozilla Firefox. Its TuneUp StartUp Manager displays editorial rating and explanations about well-known programs that start during computer startup. TuneUp Styler in this version is able to change the boot logo of Windows XP.[14][15]
TuneUp Utilities 2007[10]
Features two new components: TuneUp Disk Doctor[16] and TuneUp Disk Space Explorer.[16] TuneUp Utilities 2007 also supports Windows Vista.[7]
TuneUp Utilities 2008[10]
Incorporates two more components: TuneUp Drive Defrag and TuneUp Repair Wizard. TuneUp Utilities 2008 no longer has a separate disk cleanup component; the disk cleanup function has become part of the Start Center, under a new Gain disk space section.
TuneUp Utilities 2009[10]
Start Center in this version includes a new section that analyzes the system and then displays the current status as well as available recommendations (if any) in the three areas: System maintenance, Speed and System status.[17] New tools in this version are TuneUp Speed Optimizer (renamed StartUp Optimizer in subsequent versions) and TuneUp Shortcut Cleaner. A new TuneUp Styler can change the Windows Vista logo animation displayed during startup.[17]
TuneUp Utilities 2010[10]
TuneUp Utilities is compatible with Windows 7.[18] A new Turbo Mode introduced in this version allows to disable multiple background functions of Windows and programs with one click, like Windows Aero, Windows Search, Windows Error Reporting or synchronization with mobile devices.[5] Also includes TuneUp Live Optimization.[18][19]
TuneUp Utilities 2011[10]
Features TuneUp Program Deactivator; it is claimed to be the first tool that allows user to disable programs that impose significant system load, thereby eliminating the system load caused by those programs without uninstalling them. If the user tries to start a disabled program again, TuneUp Program Deactivator automatically re-enables the program on the fly.[9] A new program rating functionality in this version shows how other TuneUp Utilities users have rated the usefulness of a given program on a scale of 1 to 5 stars.[9] The Start Center also includes a Tuning Status, which tracks and displays optimization progress and highlights areas with remaining optimization potential.[4]

Critical reception

TuneUp Utilities received generally-positive reviews. Computer Shopper magazine reviewed TuneUp Utilities 2009 and give it a score of 8 out of 10. It commended TuneUp Registry Cleaner as well as the hard-drive-related components of product but also noted that some tools are superficially implemented and that this suite lacks an antivirus and a personal firewall.[20] TuneUp Utilities 2009 was voted #37 of "The Top 100 Products of 2009" and won the award "Best Utility Suite" of Computer Shopper.[21]

CNET also reviewed TuneUp Utilities 2009 and gave it 5 stars out of 5. “To call TuneUp Utilities 2009 useful would drastically understate the situation”, said Seth Rosenblatt, an associate editor with CNET. He assessed TuneUp Utilities as a powerful and easy-to-use set of tools, with its disk cleanup and registry cleaner the “bread-and-butter” of the entire set.[22]

PC World's Preston Gralla reviewed the 2010 version and commented that TuneUp Utilities is a comprehensive suite that “includes everything from a startup optimizer to a driver [sic] defragmenter, from an overall speed optimizer to a Windows Registry cleaner, and more.” However, he said that the high price of the entire suite ($50) might make the purchase decision more difficult.[5] Preston had also previously reviewed TuneUp Utilities 2009 for PC Advisor and gave it 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.[23]

PC Magazine reviewed TuneUp Utilities 2011 and gave it a score of 4 out of 5. “Overall, the software does a fine job of revitalizing a worn PC," commented Jeffrey L. Wilson, PC Magazine software analyst. He appreciated the product's one-click repair feature and the subsequent reduction in his test PC's boot-time. However, Wilson criticized the software license that only permits installation on three PCs, contrasting it with Iolo System Mechanic 10, a competing product that allows an unlimited number of installations in the same household.[4]

TuneUp Utilities also received a Softpedia Pick award from Softpedia.[24] Although Alex Muradin, Softpedia editor, expressed concern over the lack of proper technical support for TuneUp Utilities 2006, he gave this product a final score of 5 out of 5. However, it is notable that he gave this product a subscore of 3 out of 5 for Pricing/value.[25]

Christian Immler characterizes TuneUp Utilities as a classic amongst tuning tools.[26]

Notes

  1. ^ ^ Only Windows XP Home Edition, Professional Edition and Media Center Edition are supported.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "About us". TuneUp Corporation. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  2. ^ a b "TuneUp Utilities 2004". MajorGeeks.com. 5 April 2004.
  3. ^ "Unternehmen". TuneUp Deutschland. TuneUp Distribution GmbH. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d Wilson, Jeffrey L. (27 October 2010). "TuneUp Utilities 2011". PC Magazine. Ziff Davis, Inc. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  5. ^ a b c Gralla, Preston (3 December 2009). "TuneUp Utilities 2010 Replaces Many Other Utilities". PC World. PCWorld Communications, Inc. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  6. ^ a b c "TuneUp Utilities 2003". cnet download.com. 14 July 2003. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  7. ^ a b c "TuneUp Utilities 2007". cnet download.com. 13 July 2007. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  8. ^ a b c "Table of operating systems supported by TuneUp Utilities". TuneUp Corporation. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Williams, Mike (29 October 2010). "Review: TuneUp Utilities 2011". Softwarecrew. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i "TuneUp Utilities Download Archive". TuneUp Corporation. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  11. ^ Condo, Jean-Charles (24 July 2003). "TuneUp Utilities 2003 (optimisation Windows et PC)". BRANCHEZ-VOUS!. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  12. ^ Price, Mike (12 January 2004). "TuneUp Utilities 2003 review". Expert Reviews. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  13. ^ "Customize Windows". TuneUp Utilities website. TuneUp Corporation. Retrieved 16 January 2011. Improves the appearance of your Windows interface with TuneUp Styler
  14. ^ "TuneUp Utilities 2006". Online-Bestellung. Digital River GmbH. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  15. ^ Muradin, Alex (13 December 2005). "TuneUp Utilities 2006 Rocks!". Softpedia. SoftNews NET SRL. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  16. ^ a b Copestake, Stephen (9 January 2007). "Review: Tuneup Utilities 2007 Windows optimiser". PersonalComputerWorld. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  17. ^ a b Wilson, Jeffrey L. (24 April 2009). "TuneUp Utilities 2009". LAPTOP Magazine – Online (www.laptopmag.com). Bedford Communications, Inc. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  18. ^ a b McKinnon, David (24 January 2010). "TuneUp Utilities 2010 review". Expert Reviews. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  19. ^ "TuneUp - Utilities 2010 review". IT Reviews. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2010. The wealth of tools available is impressive and most are well structured enough for anyone to get involved, and the improvements on offer build nicely on the core benefits of the suite.
  20. ^ "TuneUp Utilities 2009". Computer Shopper. SX2 Media Labs, LLC. 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  21. ^ Anderson, Sarah E.; Burek, John A.; Haselton, Lauren; Jerome, Will; Krawczyk, Konrad; Rougeot, Jonathan; Safford, Matt; Smith, Catharine (2009). "Best Utilities Suite: TuneUp Utilities 2009". Computer Shopper. SX2 Media Labs, LLC. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  22. ^ Rosenblatt, Seth (25 November 2008). "TuneUp Utilities 2010 9.0.4300.7 — CNET Editors' review". Download.com. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  23. ^ Gralla, Preston (20 January 2009). "TuneUp Utilities 2009 review". PC Advisor magazine – Online (www.pcadvisor.co.uk). International Data Group (IDG). Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  24. ^ "TuneUp Utilities 2011". Softpedia. SoftNews NET SRL. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  25. ^ Muradin, Alex (13 December 2005). "TuneUp Utilities 2006 Rocks!". Softpedia. SoftNews NET SRL. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  26. ^ Immler, Christian. Das PC-Handbuch (in German). Pearson Education. p. 690. ISBN 9783827244642. Retrieved 5 December 2010. Die TuneUp Utilities (www.tuneup.de) sind ein Klassiker unter den Tuning-Tools. [TuneUp Utilities represent a classic amongst tuning tools.] {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
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