I had notes on System Mechanic in 3 different places and was repeating most of the same information so I moved it all here so I only have one place to update.
Iolo System Mechanic is a good all around tool for keeping your computer healthy. Most of it's functions can be done with other programs but this brings them all together on one spot. On my high end computer, I could not notice the difference, but on my inexpensive (cheep) laptop, it was a significant help. A subscription is good for all the computers in your house (10 max).
The program nominally costs $49.95 but was selling for $29.95 on their web site when I checked. You can use it on multiple machines in your house with one license. The maximum is apparently 10. It is not obvious how to remove one when you get toward the limit.
You can also use the
full version free for a short time but getting to that point is a little tricky.
The first point to note is do NOT run a free scan by downloading the program
from their web site in the normal way. Once you have done that, you
no longer have the option to get the time limited fully functional version.
Visit http://sm.iolo.com to begin downloading the installer, a file called
sm_dm.exe
Save the installer on your computer.
Then run it.
It will install the main program. You will then be given the option of registering
it, or installing a full version for a short period of time as a trial. I
have not actually done this yet so I may be missing something.
Here are some of the things it does:
Clean up your junk files and and check the registry for errors.
CCleaner does this probably
better and for free but not a lot of other stuff.
Checks for outdated Drivers: (This option was removed in the
version released in the summer of 2016, hopefully it will be added back later,
not back by late 2017) Not as good at this as
DriverMax but DriverMax only does one
thing. The function to check for outdated drivers is called DESIGNATED DRIVERS
and
is a bit hard to find. To find it select TOOLBOX then MANAGE then DESIGNATED DRIEVERS. Maybe
they find less drivers to install because they only install drivers certified by
Microsoft but they may be just slower at getting the updates into their system.
Boosts system responsiveness through real-time calibration of CPU, RAM and Drive.
Optimizes file write speed and internet connection
Checks for stability threats
Reviews all the programs you have running at startup. Gives you the option of not starting them automatically thus speeding up startup and making it so your computer does not have so many background programs running. It tells you approximately how much the program is slowing startup, what the program does and what percent of the people drop the program. You will have to do an internet search on a number of the programs it highlights to help you decide if you need them or not so work on your part is definitely required. You will be surprised at the number of programs that get started.
It will continue to run in the background looking for problems.
Return to General Computer Notes, mostly maintenance related