When you buy a new computer with Windows preinstalled, it is often bursting with bloatware, ie redundant software. But even when you download programs, unwanted tools can sneak into your PC without you even realizing it. With SlimComputer you can clean your system.
SmartComputer
Language
English
OS
Windows XP/Vista/7/8
Website
www.slimcomputer.com
8 Score 80- Pros
- Recovery function
- Clear
- Negatives
- Not all rated software
SlimComputer literally means 'slim computer' and that immediately indicates what this program is intended for: identifying and, if desired, eliminating unwanted software. When you start the tool for the first time, it asks how thorough the scanning process should be. You can choose between passive, Default and Aggressive and your choice determines how much of the detected software is seen as potentially unwanted. This is done on the basis of a 'community rating', in other words the judgment of fellow users. You can always change that choice later.
Semi-automatic
You also decide on which type of software SlimComputer should scan. There are four categories: Applications (programs that are often pre-installed in new computers), Browsers (extensions and toolbars), Startup Items (programs that start with Windows) and Shortcuts (shortcuts on your desktop). Such a scanning process only takes a minute or so, after which you get a nice overview of the detected software that meets the set criteria. You can then remove it with the push of a button. When in doubt, you can always press the button More Info impressions; you usually get more detailed feedback about the associated item, again based on your fellow users. Did you accidentally remove one or more items that you wanted to keep? Don't worry: SlimComputer has a handy restore function with which you can retrieve them.
SlimComputer scans for four software categories by default.
Manually
However, you do not necessarily have to rely on the scanning round (and the set thoroughness with which that scanning is done). SlimComputer has separate buttons (Optimize, Uninstaller and Browsers), which gives you a list of all blackheads, services, applications, toolbars, browser helper objects and ActiveX components found on your PC, neatly provided with a community rating and with the button More Info. Based on this overview, you can then decide for yourself which of those items you would rather not see on your system. Fortunately, the built-in recovery function is also active here, so that you can quickly undo mistakes.
You can also tie the knot yourself.
