Ashampoo WinOptimizer is an adjustment utility that should be on your radar. As in the past years, WinOptimizer improves the performance of your PC, defragging your hard drive, deleting junk files and performing other beneficial tasks. The latest version improves and maintains optimized features, while adding a fresh and attractive interface and new tuning tools.
Pricing and Licenses
Like AVG TuneUp, Ashampoo WinOptimizer 17 comes in both free and premium varieties. Ashampoo's free tool, however, does more than AVG's, as it really allows you to adjust your PC; AVG TuneUp simply checks your computer for problems and then prompts you to upgrade to the premium version.
The unsigned WinOptimizer, $ 39.99 ($10 if upgrading from a previous version) adds superior tools that I will explore later. Like many utility companies, Ashampoo has deep discounts, so don't expect to pay the full price (at the time of this writing, WinOptimizer costs just $ 20). For comparison, AVG TuneUp and the award-winning Iolo System Mechanic cost $ 49.99 and $ 49.95 a year, respectively. WinOptimizer is definitely easier on the wallet.
As with previous releases, the newest WinOptimizer includes three licenses. AVG TuneUp and the Iolo System offer unlimited licenses. The tuning package is compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10 operating systems.
The included tools
Like many other tuning utilities, Ashampoo WinOptimizer is a digital toolbox that contains many applications that increase performance. The features are numerous, so you will mention just a few here. you will focus on the new features exclusive to the paid version.
The new task scheduler allows you to define the System Maintenance tool or a click optimizer (an icon that you click to run all programs) so that it runs automatically at defined intervals. You can set it up to work daily, weekly or monthly,
ADS Scanner, another new feature, analyzes your PC's files for alternative data streams, information points that can make your PC a victim of browser hijackers. It is a potentially good addition to your overall PC security package.
On the security theme, Ashampoo WinOptimizer includes Windows 10 Privacy Control and Antispy, tools that give you control over the data Windows collects. Both applications allow you to decide which passwords, telemetry data or photos should be kept private.
Performance Improvements and Comparisons
You can test Ashampoo WinOptimizer's ability to clean a deformed Windows PC by performing two tests: You ran the Geekbench system performance tool and measured boot times - before and after running the tuning utility - to measure speed improvements. you did each test three times, and then you averag the numbers.
Before running WinOptimizer to clean the system, my testbed - which has an Intel Core i5 CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti graphics card, 8GB of RAM, 2TB hard drive and the Windows 10 operating system - booted in 2 minutes and 32 seconds. The platform obtained 1,301 points in the Geekbench Single-Core test, 5,960 in the Multi-Core test and 182,137 in the Computational Scoring test.
As expected, you saw significant improvements in the test score after running WinOptimizer. My tester's boot time dropped to 1 minute and 10 seconds, while the Single-Core, Multi-Core and Compute Score numbers rose to 1,397, 5,973 and 182,394, respectively. The new boot time was just 2 seconds behind the 1 minute mark and 8 seconds for Iolo System Mechanic. WinOptimizer didn't win a top spot in any of the four test categories, but it did put decent numbers across the board. In fact, you experienced a snappier performance when using heavy resource apps like iTunes and Steam.
Obviously, Ashampoo WinOptimizer positively impacts your PC, but you may wonder how its improvements compare to those that come from the Windows 10 tuning apps themselves. WinOptimizer outperformed Windows 10 in just one area: boot time (1 minute and 10 seconds against 1 minute and 14 seconds). However, this does not mean that Ashampoo is not a worthy purchase.
To start, WinOptimizer has all of your system enhancement tools in one convenient place. With Windows 10, you have a Disk Defragmenter, Storage Sense and De Startup apps, but they are all located in different places within the operating system. There is no button - or even an interface - that activates them all.
In addition, Ashampoo includes File Wiper (permanently deletes files for security), file handler (divides files into several parts to send emails or copy to media), Disk Doctor (searches the hard drive for errors) and Duplicate Finder (finds and deletes duplicate files). Admittedly, Windows 10 has a feature that replaces deleted data, Cipher, but it does require launching Windows Powershell and messing with the command line. You probably don't want to do this every time you want to safely delete a file.
A solid tuning utility
Ashampoo WinOptimizer did a good job to improve the performance of my test subject. The tuning utility did not provide the same category-leading numbers as the award-winning editor Iolo System Mechanic, or the standard Windows 10 tools, but WinOptimizer is still worth buying for its ease of use and packaged tools.
If you just want basic PC cleaning, free Windows 10 tools are also a decent option. However, don't expect the same centralized user interface or extra features.