The better utility software products address a wide range of issues and focus on helping you manage, diagnose, repair, recover and optimize your computer. Some of the specific key features of the software include the following: Optimization – Computers get slower over time, but it usually isn’t because of age. It’s most likely the result of system clutter, fragmentation and corruption issues that occur from everyday use. Utility software addresses these performance concerns with techniques such as defragging the hard drive and the registry, the control center of the computer’s operating system. This software detects and cleans out temporary files and finds and removes junk files. It also can optimize computer memory, Internet settings, and Windows startup programs. Repair and Recovery – Random and confusing computer error messages, programs running slower and locking up, and crashes are a few
symptoms that require repair. Utility software is designed to repair registry problems, fix broken shortcuts, and find and resolve hard drive issues. Management/Diagnostics – Utility software manages and controls the sequences that start when the operating system loads, manages running programs, monitors hard drive status, and provides an uninstaller feature that allows the user to remove installed programs that clog the computer in order to boost performance. System Mechanic by iolo Technologies is the utility software I use on my desktop and laptop computer. Professional and business versions of this software are also available. The current affordable prices for System Mechanic can be found on the iolo website at www.iolo.com. The license fee provides one-year coverage and can be extended after the initial purchase usually at a discounted price. I have found this software very user-friendly and helpful in keeping my computer running
smoothly. Their software updates keep System Mechanic current, making it a seamless process for the user. Other utility software vendors include: Advanced System Optimizer, WinZip System Utilities Suite, MAGIX PC Check and Tuning, TuneUp Utilities, Spotmau Power Suite, Auslogics BoostSpeed, WinUtilities and more. Some of these utility software features are often pre-installed on the computer. However, I find that using commercially-available utility software to monitor my computer and keep it running efficiently is cost effective and provides the technical expertise for these issues. Even if you are not experiencing any productivity issues with your computer, it is still a good idea to run utility software on your computer to keep it running at top form. AZ CPA Ken Askelson, CPA, CITP, CGMA, is chair of the IT Steering Committee. He can be reached at morrobay@cox.net.
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BERATUNG 12 AZ CPA y OCTOBER 2013