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IObit: Advanced System Care PRO v3
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Today, we're taking a look at IObit's Advanced System Care. A sister program to their Security 360 software, IObit has done a very good job at ensuring that ASC follows along the same guidelines and suit that Security 360 follows. They focus on ease of use and efficiency. All of it rolled into one package to ensure that your system does have advanced care. As per the new FCC Regulation, I am oblidged to inform all of my readers that in exchange for this review, I've been granted a license key for one year. However, I do not want you to feel that I will be writing a biased review because of the key. I was offered the key so that I could review the full software, nothing more. All of my opinions will remain unbiased. Lets begin.
The screenshot below is a screenshot of the "Home" panel. We can see the "Home" button, "Maintain Windows" button, "Diagnose System" button, "Utilities" button, and "Care!" button. The home button will mark the starting point. We can see the overview and the latest news from IObit in the top tabs. Next, we find the program version, the last date the database was updated, the date of the last scan, the type of user account (free or professional), and Statistics. Then we find the "Exclusive Features" box. Within this box, you'll see all of the automated systems (care, update, sweep) and the Ultimate Speedup features. All will either be marked on or off.
Looking over the "Maintain Windows" button, we can find several useful features. One for Spyware Removal, a Registry Fix, Privacy Sweep, and a Junk Files Cleaner. Now, personally, if you've gotten your hands on Spybot Search & Destroy, then you're probably not going to need the Spyware Removal function. Testing the ASC versus Spybot S&D, I was unable to find any true difference. The differences that I did find were minor. Whereas Spybot S&D has continuous updates, they can be rather erradic at times. Checking the databases over a seven day period of time, I found that ASC updates twice as often as Spybot S&D does. Not a large deal, but the faster updates are nice. Another difference that I did find was that ASC does not come standard with any sort of "Immunization" feature to help protect your Internet Explorer or Firefox browsers from current known browser threats. That would be a con against ASC. However, if you were to purchase ASC (or even download the free version), you can still download Spybot S&D without either program interferring with the other and redundancy on checking for malware of any type is generally always a suggested thing. The next thing that we find is the Registry Fix. The registry fix isn't exactly as powerful as I'd hoped it was, but that's a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing is that it won't go changing the registry outside of removing obsolete keys (for software or other such things) and it does do an excellent job of clearing out your registry and freeing up some much need speed when moving from program to program. The bad thing is that it doesn't offer you a report of it's "abnormal findings" so that you can be your own judge as to what should go and what should not go. However, it's still powerful and still useful. The next thing we come across is a redundancy of the Privacy Sweeper that we found in Security 360. Unfortunately, it does the same thing that the Privacy Sweep in Security 360 does and there's nothing new on the floor. The fortunate thing is - like I said earlier - redundancy is a good thing. However, if you've closed your browser and saved the current tabs you've isolated, I wouldn't run this particular part of the sweep because it'll remove them. Next, we've got the Junk Files Cleaner, and this removes miscellaneous files (recycle bin, temp internet files, cookies, internet cache, etc) and dumps them completely from your system opening up disc space. Now, this just another redundancy program as Windows standard "Disc Cleaner" program.
Now, we're going to look at the "Diagnose System" button. We're looking at system optimization first. This setting - if checked - will completely and totally optimize Windows for the best possible system performance and top internet speeds. In short terms, the optimization behind this piece of the software reallocates memory to enhance or unenhance a particular feature. For instance, if you're a gamer, you can enhance your system for top performance. This will increase the amount of memory used to and the speed at which your battery dies (if you're running a laptop and it's not plugged in). Other than that, it helps Windows increase video graphics framerate, speed of connection, etc. You can also optimize it for just regular daily use which is a good balance of system allocation, or even business use, which is a slightly more powerful version of the of the daily use. All in all, this is a very handy dandy tool, but not exactly required. So, if you're just running your system as a regular user for emails and internet and that's about it, this option can be useful, but is not one that you need to have. The next thing we're looking at is the Security Defense. Do you remember earlier when I mentioned Spybot S&D's "Immunization" feature? This feature isn't the same thing. This feature is more like a malware catcher. Based upon the database that the Spyware Removal tool is using, this piece of the software will assist in eleminating any chance of new malware being installed or introduced to your system. Next is the disk defragmentation suit of the software. Unlike the standard disc defragmentor for Windows, this piece of the software does what is called a "Quick Optimization." It's not as powerful as IObit's Smart Defrag (which is one hundred percent free), but it does the quick job. Next, we find the Security Analyzer. This is a generated report for personal parusal. After the report is generated, ASC tells you what it thinks are some weaknesses within your system. This is an incredibly detailed report and only advanced users should leave it checked. Otherwise, Security 360's Security Analyzer will do the trick your average home based user will need.
Now, we're moving on to the Utilities button. Here, you'll find individual buttons on three different tabs. You'll find the "Tuneup" tab, "Security" tab, and "Admin Tools" tab. Briefly going over the Tuneup tab, you'll find yourself looking at "Disk Check" which is an advanced feature of Windows that can be run from the command line to check for abnormalities within your harddrive. It's a quick and simple tool, but much more efficient if you run it from the command line as an administrator. Next, we have the Windows Disk Cleaner which will open up Windows Disk Cleaner and allow you to do a much deeper clean for junk files. The game booster and Internet booster both enhance sections of your computer that will boost the performance of either type of software. However, neither is really necessary to the proper maintenance of your computer. Next, we're looking at the IObit Security 360 button which will open IObit Security 360 if you've got it on your computer, much like the ASC button does within Security 360. Next, we've got a button for Smart Defrag which will open IObit's Smart Defrag, and then an option for the IObit Registry Defrag (which is like your normal system defragmentation software, only it concentrates on your registry) software suite. Next, we've got a Shortcut Fixer which will locate all obsolete and duplicated shortcuts on your computer and remove them for you. Finally, we've got Smart Ram which is a unique program that I've found in ASC. What it does is shut down idle processes within your computer that are not in use so that it can free up virtual memory for faster computer usage. Now, virtual memory (just as a quick FYI, is the memory that your computer uses while it runs a program).
Take note: from here, you will notice that the rest of the screenshots are going to be in the included slideshow.
The Security Tab holds several useful pieces of software. First is the Driver Backup. IObit has gone to great lengths to ensure that all drivers on your computer are updated and then a backup is created for them for use at another time if it is ever needed. Next, we have the IE Security Assistant which is a useful option if you're using Internet Explorer. However, because Firefox offers far more powerful security settings, I would not suggest using this tool. Next, we have System Backup. The System Backup tool uses the built in Windows file backup feature in case it's ever needed for any reason. Finally, we're looking at the System File Checker. This is a very useful tool for those handy-dandy digital signatures that programs require to be validated accordingly and correctly from their developers. Now, you'll need your original operating system installation disc in the event that it finds invalidated signatures, but other than that, this is an extremely useful tool that will need to be run at least once every two months to ensure proper validation of all system software.
As we begin to come to our conclusion, we look over the "Admin Tools" tab where several useful tools can be found. First, we see our Auto Shutdown tool. It's name is self explanatory. Opening this tool, you can chose to shut down your computer completely or restart your computer. This is useful for those pesky security software updates that require a restart or shut down and don't get the command to restart from your operating system. Next, we find the Cloned Files Finder tool. This tool will search your entire computer for files that are "cloned," and by that respect, help you spot cloned security files that could be preventing your security software from running appropriately because the files are conflicting against each other. The Context Menu Manager tool is a mysterious tool, even to myself. And because of this, I can claim that it is for advanced users only who understand Microsoft context menu's. The Disk Explorer is an incredibly useful tool that scans and searches your entire computer for files and then catagorizes them from largest file to smallest file. With this tool, you can seek out and search for the files that are taking up the most space on your computer and then you have the option to remove the software via the Add/Remove programs feature or leave it be. The Restore Center tool is used in conjunction with the Windows System Restore function and is a redundant tool which utilizes a unique setting to restore changes before IObit ASC made changes to your system. The software uninstaller tool is a powerful tool that helps to remove programs in their entirety (much like Kasperky's unremovable virus specific cleaners) from your system. And it's also part of the Windows Manager tool. The Startup Manager is a tool much like the "msconfig" option known to run from the "Run" function of Microsoft Windows computers. The difference here is that you can add programs to the startup menu, whereas msconfig does not. Other differences are that this tool only focus' on Startup management. It does not include General, Boot, Services, or other "Tools" common to the msconfig. Next, we have another redundant tool, the "System Information" tool. Fortunately, this is a good redundant tool. Unlike going into the Control Panel, chosing System and Maintenance and then finally System, this tool is a one stop click. With the former option (through windows), all you're receiving is standard information. The manufacturer of your computer, the rating as far as the Windows Experience Index (WEI), Processor, Memory, system type (32 bit or 64 bit graphics), the name, domain and workgroup settings, and whether or not your system is "Windows activated" or not, this tool will look over all the information from your Operating System, Processor & Main Board, Memory Devices, Drives, Display, Network, and any other device with incredibly detailed settings. For instance, looking over the Operating System tab, you can find your OS version, your Service Pack version, your product ID, how long your system has been turned on, your Free Physical Memory, the maximum size of your registry, it's current size and whether or not your registry has been scanned and deemed ok. An interesting and useful tool, even if it is redundant. Finally, we come to the Windows Manager. A final tool for your system, we see that it manages processes, system services, tcp/udp connections, has the software uninstaller, and a manual tool for Cookie Management. Similar to the Ctrl+Alt+Del function for your computer opening your Task Manager, this tool is much more user friendly and easier to navigate. Though, it is suggested that unless your skill level falls within the advanced options, you probably should not use this option.
All in all, this set of software is good, but I'd only give it one thumb up because of the redundancy of tools offered. However, I would add half a thumb to the rating simply because redundancy is a good thing, and if someone can come up with a user friendly way to simply the complexity of Microsofts tools, then its a good thing. The wonderful thing about this software is that the tools used in Maintaining Windows and Diagnose System can all be run by pushing the very large "Care!" button in the center. Just click it and let it run. The other tools are used by more advanced users. I would recommend this software to go along with IObit's Security 360 software 5 out of 7 days of the week, which is still pretty good with all things considered. If you're looking for the software, you can find it here, for just one PC. Or, if you're looking for a three PC license, you can find it here. If you're looking for a refresher on my Security 360 article, you'll find that article here. And the slideshow below will give you a couple more screenshots from this immersive program.
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