14 DAY TRIAL // No matter if "last time" happened a month ago or yesterday, for me, too much time has passed. I am talking about the last time I got to review a system tweaking suite, not something else. This family has so many worthy members, that I don't need to remember their names, just a look at one's interface makes me think "I have seen this, but...look! Special features!" and so another story begins...
...WINner Tweak's story, to be more specific. The program's current version number is 3.6.2, I got its 15 days trial for this review here, but if you want to have it as a full software with all the benefits that come with it (updates, customer support), you have to pay 29.95$ for it. The setup package has 2.5MB in size and the application is very easy to install.
I got the program, installed it and then, I found myself facing a familiar looking interface. "I know that!" The program's main window looks similar to Tweak-XP or Tune Up Utilities. No, it doesn't look the same with some icons, text and colors replaced, but it's as eye candy and well organized interface as those two I've mentioned. Of course, using it should be as easy as it gets, the only abilities you need are a decent knowledge of the English language, fair mouse handling and that's all! The Welcome Screen has a menu to its left and an information area to the right, you can't miss them. Now, let's dig in, there's a long road ahead!
As usual, before you get to optimize, clean and personalize your computer's operating system, you have to know more about it and your hardware environment. Inside the Welcome Screen, there are four items that can be checked on the spot - CPU and Memory, BIOS, Drive(s) and Windows Information. Of course that what you get here is just basic information, but this is enough to get you started...the real thing starts once you choose one of the two big ones of this suite - System Tune-Up and Power Utilities.
The System Tune-Up tool opens up inside the Tune-Up Center, the fastest way to system tweaking. No doubt about it, when we talk about software suites of this kind, "the fastest way" is the wizard's way, and WINner Tweak complies with this rule.
There are two wizards that deserve all your attention here. The first one is called Windows Performance Booster, while the second's name is Security and Privacy Adjuster. Following wizards is a great pleasure for me each time I have to do it, but this time I chose to tell you about the most interesting and useful manual tweaking features(of course that some of them will be encountered while using the wizards, so you don't miss much).
There are six tweaks areas to be found inside the System Tune-Up window. The topics handled are shown by their names, as usual - Windows, Hardware, Security, Network, Software and Advanced. If you want to optimize a certain item, just type its name into the Tweak Search area and you'll see the results in an instant. If you want some highlights, here you go: fifteen Windows tweaks areas, from Desktop and Explorer to Windows Update, seven Hardware ones, eleven Security areas, three for Network and nine for Software. What can be done? Almost anything you can think of, that's for sure!
A very useful feature lets you import and export your program's configuration. How can you use this? Let's say you're a network administrator and you have twenty computers with the same hardware and software configuration and you want to tweak'em all. All you have to do is perform the required changes once, export your configuration, and then import it on the remaining computers. Of course that even when you are using a single computer, exchanging tweak setting with your friends or keeping them for later use can prove two good ideas.
Let's exit the Tune-Up Center and enter the program's Power Utilities area. Here, we have five interesting areas - Cleanup, Software, Internet, Security and System. The tasks that most people would look for when seeing this words are covered - registry, shortcut and drive cleaning, installed programs management or system backup. Even more, you can benefit from the services offered by the pop-up blocker, cache analyzer, file shredder or the excellent process explorer.
I am sure that what I've told you so far is enough to make you interested in this program, because I will jump to the conclusions now. If you don't get this for a quick trial, it's your loss, not mine...
The Good
WINner Tweak has an excellent interface, a large amount of useful features and should be easy enough to use for every computer user out there. The wizards are excellent for people who don't want to waste time tweaking their systems. Although this is not a free program, it has a good price, and you can test it for 15 days before deciding if it is worth your money.
The Bad
If I have to answer quickly, then this program has no weaknesses, and even if I go deeper, I can't find any major drawback. Oh...if you want some extra-ultra- features, like parental control monitoring or network logging, they are not here, but you can't get everything for WINner's price...
The Truth
This program is one of those that you must love or hate. I won't say it's perfect, but I can't find any major drawback, and I suggest you to pick it up and see what can be done with it. For me, WINner Tweak is a winner. What about you?
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
