Swift boot times and speedy operations are among the greatest joys of unboxing and firing up a new PC. After all, we want our PCs to run at peak performance, regardless of whether we have a budget laptop or a beast gaming desktop. Inevitably, that out-of-the-box performance fades away. If you want to restore that snappy system performance, check out these system-enhancing tune-up utilities.
Overview
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![Iolo System Mechanic 15.5]()
Best for Multi-PC HouseholdsIolo System Mechanic 15.5
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![Ashampoo WinOptimizer]()
Best for an Effective Free VersionAshampoo WinOptimizer
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![AVG TuneUp]()
Best for Driver-Updating SoftwareAVG TuneUp
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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![Iolo System Mechanic 15.5]()
Best for Multi-PC HouseholdsIolo System Mechanic 15.5
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom Line:
Iolo System Mechanic's many tools let you clean up a lethargic PC, securely delete files, and perform other computer-related system tasks (depending on your subscription tier). That said, you can replicate many of its basic tune-up benefits by exploring Windows 10's free options.Learn More Iolo System Mechanic Review -
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![Ashampoo WinOptimizer]()
Best for an Effective Free VersionAshampoo WinOptimizer
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom Line:
Ashampoo WinOptimizer is an effective tune-up utility that gives your Windows PC a shot of new life. However, Windows 10's built-in options offer tools that replicate many of its basic, tune-up benefits.Learn More Ashampoo WinOptimizer Review -
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![AVG TuneUp]()
Best for Driver-Updating SoftwareAVG TuneUp
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom Line:
AVG TuneUp is a digital toolbox that improves your PC's performance and tosses in some handy bonus apps, too. Still, Windows 10 duplicates many of its most basic tune-up functions.Learn More AVG TuneUp Review -
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3.5 Good |
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3.0 Average |
Best For | Best for Multi-PC Households | Best for an Effective Free Version | Best for Driver-Updating Software | Best for Multi-PC Households | Best for an Effective Free Version | Best for Driver-Updating Software |
Buying Guide: The Best Tune-Up Utilities
When our machines become so impaired through use and neglect that we can no longer use Microsoft Word or play PC games with the same speed and efficiency to which we have become accustomed, we often ponder buying new computers. But that's a drastic solution, and one that's frequently unnecessary. Instead, you can often get that fresh-out-the-box performance for tens of dollars—instead of hundreds or even thousands—thanks to a relatively inexpensive tool: the PC tune-up utility.
(Credit: Iolo/PCMag)What Is a Tune-Up Utility?
A PC tune-up utility is an application that digs deep into your computer and fixes trouble areas. It performs several functions, including defragmenting your PC's hard drive, repairing the incredibly problematic Windows Registry, and freeing up disk space by deleting useless and duplicate files. Some tune-up utilities perform just those basic functions, while more elaborate ones add numerous features that improve your computer in interesting ways. For example, Iolo System Mechanic cleans gunked-up PCs with its real-time system monitoring; Ashampoo offers a file-deletion tool and backup app; and AVG offers a driver updater.
We tested all the tune-up utilities in this story on a junked-up Windows 10 test bed. Note that Microsoft's operating system has many built-in tools for improving your PC's performance, though they're scattered throughout the OS (unlike the third-party tune-up utilities mentioned here).
Please note that while tune-up utilities were valuable tools in the Windows 8/7/XP eras, we find them harder to recommend in the Windows 10 era, as the operating system lets you effectively tune up your PC for free.
(Credit: Ashampoo/PCMag)Tune-Up Utility Pricing
You won't spend a small fortune to begin the PC clean-up process. Expect to spend roughly $20 to $50 for a standalone tune-up utility purchase or a monthly subscription. Starting prices for tune-up utilities grant between three and 10 licenses per purchase, which means you're allowed to install the software on three PCs. If you live in a household with more than three computers that you'd like to freshen up, buying licenses may cost a pretty penny. To be fair, many companies offer multi-license packages, but they can prove pricey, too. That's why you should look for a paid tune-up utility with either a high license allowance or no installation limitations; Ashampoo and AVG's offerings have generous 10-PC licenses, while Iolo lets you install its System Mechanic on as many PCs as you'd like (for non-business purposes).
Many companies offer free versions of their tune-up utilities, but how that's executed varies. For example, AVG TuneUp's free version lets you tune up your PC for 30 days before needing to whip out your bank card. That's rare. Many tune-up utilities have free versions that tell you what's wrong with your PC but won't let you perform a clean-up until you make a purchase.
(Credit: AVG/PCMag)Extra Tune-Up Features
Tune-up utilities frequently include other software that sweetens the purchasing deal. Some come bundled with file shredders that permanently delete your unwanted data, though there are plenty of free and paid file shredders that perform the same action. Antivirus suites, program uninstallers, and driver updaters, which sometimes come bundled in tune-up utilities, can also be purchased as standalone software from Ashampoo, AVG, and other companies. Windows 10 has file-deletion programs, but they're hidden in the system. Again, third-party tune-up utilities have the benefit of gathering everything into one central location.
Clean Up Your PC
This tune-up utility collection doesn't highlight every single system-enhancing tool on the market—these are our favorite tune-up utilities, after all. You can trust that they'll help your PC run in an orderly fashion.
Click the links below to read full reviews of these PC tune-up tools. If you have an experience you'd like to share with one of the tune-up utilities we've reviewed or if you have one you like better than the ones we've reviewed here, let us know in the comments.