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Clean-up software round up
Product reviews > Software > Clean-up software

An unfortunate consequence of surfing the web is the amount of junk it places on your PC. From temporary internet files and your browser History, to cookies and chat logs, it doesn't take long to amass quite a collection of internet clutter. Besides taking up valuable disk space, storing all of these files and fragments can compromise your privacy. Anyone can find out exactly which websites you've visited, what you've said to your messaging buddies, and what the passwords you use for logging into secure sites are, simply by searching your hard drive. And in this age of remote access they don't even need to be sat at your computer to do so.

Fortunately, there is plenty of software available that will clear your system of unnecessary programs and files, and erase your online tracks. We've rounded up five popular clean-up tools to find out what each has to offer in terms of features, performance, ease of use and value for money.

Product Price Reviewed Rating
Iolo System Mechanic 8 £29. Licence for three computers Jul 2008

Iolo System Mechanic 8 Iolo's program claims to do for your PC what a reliable mechanic will do for your motor. Web User puts it to the test... more..

System Checkup Free Jul 2008

System Checkup This tool checks for various problems including security vulnerabilities, fragmentation, internet clutter, Registry problems, spyware, invalid uninstallers, and more. more..

Symantec Norton 360 Version 2.0 £60 per year Apr 2008

Symantec Norton 360 Version 2.0 A year after releasing Norton 360, Symantec has added some useful, new features in Version 2.0, to make your computer even more resilient to attack. more..

Microsoft Windows Live OneCare 2.0 £37.99 inc VAT per year Mar 2008

Microsoft Windows Live OneCare 2.0 Microsoft is often criticised for the security of its operating systems – can this safety software make amends? Web User finds out... more..

Norton SystemWorks (Premier Edition) £59.99 Feb 2008

Norton SystemWorks (Premier Edition) This suite contains five distinct tools – Norton AntiVirus, Norton Utilities, Norton Cleanup, Norton GoBack, and Norton Save & Restore. more..

System Mechanic 7 £25.67 Feb 2008

System Mechanic 7 System Mechanic is a very straightforward tool that scans your computer for problems and then fixes any it finds. You can choose a Quick Analysis or a Deep Analysis. more..

Fix It Utilities 8 £29.99 Feb 2008

Fix It Utilities 8 Like SystemWorks, this application offers real-time spyware and anti-virus protection. It also lets you choose from a comprehensive selection of on-demand scans... more..

PC Tools Registry Mechanic £29.99 Feb 2008

PC Tools Registry Mechanic Problems with the Windows Registry file can cause your PC to run sluggishly or crash. Registry Mechanic can identify and repair these errors... more..

Advanced WindowsCare 2 Professional £15.39 Feb 2008

Advanced WindowsCare 2 Professional This program has seven modules: Spyware Removal, Security Defence, Registry Fix, System Optimization, Startup Manage, Privacy Sweep and Junk Files Clean. more..

CCleaner Free Jan 2008

CCleaner CCleaner has been a Web User favourite for years but is it still the best free PC cleaning program?
more..

nCleaner Free Dec 2007

nCleaner This system cleaner is very meticulous and can remove all kinds of unwanted files from your hard disk. more..

ToniArts EasyCleaner Free Dec 2007

ToniArts EasyCleaner This application has a beautifully simple interface with all the features you require laid out as buttons on a single screen. more..

Windows Live OneCare £37.99 inc VAT for one year for three PCs Mar 2007

Windows Live OneCare Microsoft's all-in-one entry into the home security business is here – Web User puts it to the test... more..

System Cleaner 5 $34.95 (around £18) Jan 2007

System Cleaner 5 System Cleaner breaks down cleaning into five main categories, each of which has a number of sub-categories. more..

Window Washer 6.0 £24.95 Jan 2007

Window Washer 6.0 Window Washer, as the name suggests, is capable of cleaning up after Windows and a number of other well-known programs. more..

SuperCleaner 2.95 $29.95 (around £15) Jan 2007

SuperCleaner 2.95 SuperCleaner sits half-way between 4Diskclean and Window Washer in terms of features. The Garbage Finder is a simple means of detecting unnecessary files... more..

Windows XP Disk Cleanup Wizard Free Jan 2007

Windows XP Disk Cleanup Wizard The clean-up tool included with Windows XP may be free and pre-installed, but that's just about all it has in its favour. more..

4Diskclean 3.3 $19.95 (around £10) Jan 2007

4Diskclean 3.3 The most striking thing about 4Diskclean is its incredibly dated appearance; closely followed by the amazing lack of options. more..

Disk Cleaner 1.5 Free Jan 2006

Disk Cleaner 1.5 Fast, free and extremely user-friendly, Disk Cleaner is a tiny clean-up utility offering big performance. more..

Webroot Internet Essentials £49.99 inc VAT Apr 2005

Webroot Internet Essentials Webroot has combined four of its top internet security programs into one pack at a discount price. Although you'll still need the usual firewall and anti-virus software in place... more..

Internet Cleanup 4.0 £20 inc VAT Aug 2004

Internet Cleanup 4.0 The internet can fill up your hard disk with useless detritus – so get rid of it safely and easily with Internet Cleanup more..

Steganos Internet Anonym Pro 6 £27 Mar 2004

Steganos Internet Anonym Pro 6 more..

McAfee QuickClean 4 £18 Mar 2004

McAfee QuickClean 4 more..

Norton CleanSweep £65 (as part of Norton SystemWorks 2004) Mar 2004

Norton CleanSweep more..



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Welcome to Web User magazine's online home, where you'll find news, reviews and a buzzing forum. For the best websites, practical advice and the latest music and film downloads every fortnight, get Web User, the UK’s best selling internet magazine.
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