If you'd like to blow the cobwebs out of a lethargic PC, a tune-up utility suite such as the free Comodo System Cleaner can do the job well by deleting unused files and fixing the registry—the common source for PC problems. Comodo System Cleaner also packs a few other neat utilities (such as file restoration and disk wiping) that put it on par with the likes of paid tune-up utilities such as AVG PC Tuneup PC 2011 and PC Tools Performance Toolkit 2011, but its overall performance isn't quite as potent.
System Requirements and Interface
Like other tune-up utilities, Comodo System Cleaner has meager system requirements. It demands just 32MB of RAM and 20 MB of hard drive space, and there are also 32- and 64-bit versions for the Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2000 operating systems.
After downloading, installing, and launching Comodo System Cleaner, you're presented with a clean white-and-blue interface that has transparency effects along its top border. It's a surprisingly nice touch for a type of application that doesn't typically feature eye-candy—and a free one, at that. The interface is divided into two sections: a sidebar on the left filled with a variety of system-cleaning options (Registry Cleaner, Disk Cleaner, Privacy Cleaner), which, when clicked, you can activate in the main content area. Unlike AVG PC Tools 2011 ($29.99, 4.5 stars), Comodo System Cleaner lacks a "back" button which lets you easily move between screens. That proved a bit frustrating at times when I simply wanted to return to a previous screen—instead I had to home to the home screen and then re-enter the section I had wanted to visit.
The Clean-Up Process
I began the clean-up process by working my way through the various options. Registry Cleaner discovered 287 errors, Disk Cleaner found 1,260 errors, Privacy Cleaner (which scans cookies, cache, browsing history, and more) sniffed out 968 errors. The 2,515 detected problems were a hair short of AVG PC Tuneup 2011's 2,705 problems detected, but the difference can be attributed to different definitions of what constitutes an error. Between the three repair jobs, Comodo System Cleaner fixed all but eight problems. Comodo wisely includes a one-click "Clean My Computer" button for those that don't want to cycle between the different utilities.
Performance Improvements
I tested Comodo System Cleaner's ability to clean up a PC by performing three tests—running the Geekbench system performance tool, measuring boot times, and transferring a 1GB folder of mixed media to external storage—before and after running the Comodo app. Each test was run three times and the results averaged.
Before Comodo scrubbed the system, the 2-GHz Intel Core i7 X990 Style-Note notebook with 4GB of RAM, and 80GB Intel SSD booted achieved a 5,903 Geekbench score, booted in 50.3 seconds, and transferred the 1GB folder in 40.5 seconds.
After using Comodo System Cleaner, the GeekBench score improved to 5,991. That's a tad better than PC Tools Performance Toolkit 2011's ($39.95, 3.5 stars) 5,969, but behind AVG PC Tuneup 2011's 6,009. The notebook boot time decreased slightly to 48.7 seconds. AVG PC Tuneup 2011 measured 43.1 seconds, while PC Tools Performance Toolkit 2010 notched 46.1 seconds. Comodo's tweaked file-transfer performance lagged behind the others', with a 44.2 seconds transfer time. PC Tools Toolkit 2011 bested its rivals with 39.3 seconds, and AVG PC Tuneup 2011 with 43.3 seconds. Comodo System Cleaner gives you the option to run scans on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, but it lacks real time monitoring that gives you up to the minute system health information—a useful feature found in PC Tools Performance Toolkit 2011.
In addition to running formal tests, I also spend some time using the cleaned up system to see what the experience is like. Overall post-Comodo system performance felt snappier, but not quite as fast as it did after I ran AVG PC Tuneup 2011, which produced a more dramatic change. Still, Comodo was effective in cleaning out the innards of a well-worn laptop.
Other Features
Comodo System Cleaner includes a number of other features besides the repair functionality. There's also a "Wiper" that will delete your drive clean—a useful addition for those concerned with security when selling, or giving away, the used PC. The "Pend Delete" option gives you the ability to delete files that are locked for use by another program or person (adding a file to this log will cause it to be deleted on the computer's next restart). "Registry Protection" and "Safe Delete" automatically recover any files that were deleted in error and restore your system to its previous state should any problems occur—a welcomes addition that let me recover files with ease. You can optionally install the "Live Help" add-on by clicking the representative icon in the lower-left portion of the interface. It's an attractive option on paper, but it costs $39.00 for a year's service—$10 more than the annual charge for the entire AVG PC Tuneup 2011 suite, which does a better job of sweeping out laptops.
"Autorun Manager" lets you select which programs you want to launch at startup, as deactivating programs that you don't use very often can decrease a PC's boot time. Comodo detected a dozen programs; I deactivated many, but there were a few obscure ones such as NvCplDaemon that I didn't recognize—some research revealed that it's related to Nvidia graphics drivers. The average user may need to show discipline and tread lightly so as not to delete something vital to other software and hardware. You can also add programs to the Autrorun Manager lists so you can give them launch instructions.
Should You Use Comodo System Cleaner?
Comodo System Cleaner is by no means a bad performer—it definitely improved the performance of our testbed. The Editors' Choice award-winning AVG PC Tuneup 2011 is the best all-around tune-up utility, but it will cost you at least $29.99 per year. Comodo's no-cost price tag make it attractive to those willing to settle for less than supreme system cleaning in exchange for a little extra cash in the pocket.
• Comodo System Cleaner
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