One of the types of programs that should never be missing on Windows computers is that of automatic optimizers for the PC. The fact is that Windows is set with an identical default configuration for all computers which becomes a good compromise, but never optimal.
During daily use of the computer, files and registry keys are created whose accumulation weighs down the system and brings greater slowness in uploads.
To optimize Windows there are numerous similar programs, some free and often limited, others very powerful paid.
The most famous that has the same power of a commercial program like TuneUP, while remaining usable for free is Glary Utilities Free, repeatedly mentioned in several articles, but never examined in depth in its options.
READ ALSO: Keep your PC tidy and clean with Glary Utilities Pro
The interface of Glary Utilities Free is compact, intuitive and simple to use, with different tools divided into 5 categories in the Modules section, each with its own optimization function.
1) Clean and Repair
- Disk Cleanup to remove data and files now useless or left over from previous program installations.
This is useful for saving disk space and works as it should, as Ccleaner would do, albeit with fewer custom options.
Pay attention only to the identification of empty zero byte files: they may be indispensable for the operation of some programs, therefore, if you are not experienced, it is better to leave them where they are since they do not take up much space.
- Registry Cleaner scans the registry to clean it and remove invalid keys and references.
In another article, I made an examination of the benefits and problems of registry cleaners and the debate always remains open.
Personally I think that cleaning the registry safely is still positive so I use Ccleaner once a month.
Glary Utilities is an excellent alternative to Ccleaner and works the same way.
Another article lists the best programs to clean the Windows registry and obsolete files
- Repairing broken links is used to fix the icons on the Start menu by eliminating those of programs that are no longer installed.
- Finally, uninstallation management is the tool to uninstall programs completely, without leaving traces.
On another page, the best programs to uninstall software on Windows.
2) The Optimize and Improve module includes the following tools:
- Automatic execution manager allows you to decide which programs should be started automatically when the computer is turned on.
Excellent and uncommon is the possibility to choose to delay some automatic executions and import a delay time.
In this way, Windows starts faster, without loading all the programs together and at the same time, which can easily create bottlenecks.
To know more about this topic, you can read the article on the best programs to manage Windows startup
- Memory Optimizer is used to monitor and optimize RAM memory, always keeping a certain amount free.
In the options you can activate the automatic optimization to empty the RAM when the computer remains clogged even if there are no processes running.
If you liked the function, you can activate the automatic start of the memory optimizer.
In another article it is explained in detail what it means to optimize the Ram memory to have a fast Windows PC
- Contextual Menu Management is another useful tool to manage the items that appear when you right-click on a file or folder.
Keeping these menus slim is very important in order not to overload Windows with unnecessary elements and make it faster but, in this case, the Glary Utilities tool has not satisfied me.
There are indeed more powerful specific programs to disable unnecessary options from the right click menus.
- Registry defragmentation allows you to defragment the Windows registry in order to compact it and allow the system to find the various references faster.
The advice is to use any registry defragmentation tool no more than once every 3 months.
For more information, read also: Advanced registry: key modification, backup, defrag
3) The Privacy and Security module includes 4 other tools:
- Eliminate tracks to delete all the files created while using Windows, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and other programs.
As Ccleaner does, it automatically detects installed applications and allows you to delete all traces of use.
- File Destruction allows you to delete files permanently, so that nobody can recover them.
- Deleted file recovery allows you to recover accidentally deleted files, even if the recycle bin has been emptied (it does not work if file destruction was used).
- File encryption and decryption is a tool to protect confidential files with passwords, so that those who are not authorized cannot open them.
4) Files and Folders Module :
- The disk analysis tool allows you to graphically see how the space is used in order to find out which programs and which folders are larger and to take action.
- Search for duplicate files would correct problems of wasted space.
When using this tool, you must ignore the duplicate files that are located in the Windows folder because they are system files you shouldn't touch.
Use this tool with caution because there are some files that must be present twice in different folders.
- Search for empty folders is used to find and, if necessary, remove the folders that have nothing inside them.
Personally I would not use this tool because some empty folders can still be important to the system.
See also the article on how to find and delete empty folders on Windows.
- File splitting and reassembly allows you to split large files into smaller files and bring them together.
5) System tools module
- Process management is similar to the task manager, to control the use of program resources that run on the PC in real time.
- Internet Explorer Assistant is a really good tool to manage Internet Explorer plugins and all extensions in order to make it faster and lighter.
- System information is a detailed card that collects all the information on hardware and software installed on your computer.
It also allows you to create a report and export data (from the File menu).
- In Standard Windows Tools there are links to various control tools such as Scandisk, defragmenter, backup, System restore and file verification.
1-click maintenance is the best part of Glary Utilities, because it allows you to automate all the tools in one go.
The computer is then cleaned and repaired in its main aspects, in a single fast process.
Glary Utilities Pro should meet all the needs of those who use the computer at home and do not need any of the advanced features offered by the paid Pro version.
Except for the memory optimizer, Glary Utilities free does not remain in the background and must therefore be used, manually, once every month to always keep the PC in shape and perform the necessary maintenance, without risking creating problems.
If you were looking for alternatives, in another article the best free programs to optimize the PC and speed up system performance
