TuneUp Utilities 2012 User manual

TuneUp Utilities

User Manual

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Table of Contents
1. Welcome to TuneUp Utilities 2012! 5
New features in TuneUp Utilities 2012 6
System Requirements 7
Help & Support 7
2. The Start Center 8
Changing TuneUp Utilities Settings 11
Turbo Mode 16
Economy Mode 22
The Optimization Status 27
3. Status & Recommendations 29
1-Click Maintenance and Automatic Maintenance 31
Increasing Performance 34
Fixing Problems - Details 37
Undoing Changes 38
4. Optimizing the System 41
Disabling Programs 42
Disabling Startup Programs 46
Displaying and Uninstalling Programs 50
Configuring Live Optimization 53
Cleaning the Registry 56
Defragmenting the Registry 63
Remove Broken Shortcuts 66
Optimizing System Startup and Shutdown 68
Defragmenting the Hard Disk 71
5. Gaining Disk Space 75
Cleaning the Hard Disk 76
Finding and Deleting Large Amounts of Data 80
Securely Deleting Data 87
6. Fixing Problems 90
Fixing common problems 90

Checking the Hard Disk for Errors 92
Managing Running Processes 95
Restoring Deleted Files 98
Showing System Information 102
7. Customizing Windows 104
Personalizing Options and Behaviors 105
Personalizing the Appearance of Windows 126
8. Overview of All Functions 143
Editing the Registry 147
Checking for Updates 149
Displaying the TuneUp Optimization Report 151
9. Rating Function for Programs 152
10. The TuneUp Utilities Gadget 154
11. TuneUp Utilities in Taskbar Notification Area 155
12. Index 156

1. Welcome to TuneUp Utilities 2012!

Congratulations on choosing TuneUp Utilities! You have just acquired a comprehensive collection of over 30 dif-

ferent tools to optimize your PC. Use this software to revitalize PCs, notebooks or netbooks with a minimum of

effort!

With TuneUp Utilities, you can restore the full performance capabilities of your operating system, games and

programs. TuneUp Utilities can also automatically run important maintenance tasks, such as cleaning up your

hard disk and registry for you, or you can run them yourself manually. A slow and untidy computer is now a

thing of the past for you. TuneUp Utilities recognizes whether there are any problems on your system and offers

simple solutions. You can also use TuneUp Utilities to customize the appearance of your Windows system to

your personal requirements.

This version's new feature is the TuneUp Economy Mode. You can use this to save energy on your home desk-

top PC and to extend the battery life of your laptop or netbook while you are away from home.

We hope you enjoy using TuneUp Utilities and your new, revitalized PC!

The TuneUp Team

TuneUp Utilities Manual 5

New features in TuneUp Utilities 2012

With TuneUp Utilities, you can make sure your PC, notebook or netbook is in the best of health - all without any

expensive upgrades! Below is an overview of the most important new features in this version:

TuneUp Economy Mode

Does your laptop battery go flat just before the end of a film? Is your desktop PC pushing up your electricity bill?

TuneUp Utilities is putting a stop to all greedy energy-guzzlers! The brand new TuneUp Economy Mode

improves the energy management on laptops and even helps desktop PCs to turn green.

The Improved TuneUp Program Deactivator™ with Automatic Function

With almost every program installation, a degree of performance and stability is lost – nearly every PC user is

familiar with this exasperating problem. The improved TuneUp Program Deactivator™ re-enables disabled pro-

grams while they are in use and then disables them again automatically so that the load on your PC is always

kept as low as possible.

The new TuneUp Utilities settings

TuneUp Utilities gives you full control over the key functions and modules of TuneUp Utilities with the new

central settings dialog, all in a single window.

The New-Look Start Center

The new-look interface makes TuneUp Utilities sleeker and easier to use than ever before. The new look brings

together effective optimization functions such as the Program Deactivator, Economy Mode and Automatic

Maintenance in a single location.

The Improved Overview of All Functions

The new version of TuneUp Utilities is characterized by a quick program startup and rapid access to over 30 opti-

mization tools.

TuneUp Utilities Manual 6

System Requirements

To be able to install and run TuneUp Utilities, your computer must meet the following requirements. These

requirements aren't high - most computers used today have these features:

l Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or higher), Windows Vista or Windows 7 (all 32-bit or 64-bit versions)

l Min. 300 MHz processor

l 256 MB RAM

l Screen resolution at least 1024x600 pixels

l Online version: at least 150 MB of free disk space

l CD version: at least 400 MB of free disk space (and CD-ROM or DVD drive)

l Internet Explorer 6 or higher

If you have bought the CD version of TuneUp Utilities, but your netbook doesn't have a CD-ROM drive, you can

download our trial version from www.tune-up.com and activate it using the product key given on the CD case.

Help & Support

TuneUp Utilities has been designed to be as user-friendly and intuitive as possible. This manual provides you

with an overview of TuneUp Utilities. Taking the layout of the Start Center as a guide, it explains what the many

different functions do and how to access and use them.

Online at www.tune-up.com/support, you will find more information, tips & tricks, the Program Help in PDF

format with lots of additional pictures, frequently asked questions about TuneUp Utilities and TuneUp Support.

You can reach TuneUp Support by calling +1 312 9629996 (Mon - Fri, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. CST) or via the TuneUp Sup-

port website. It will help support staff greatly if you know your TuneUp Utilities version number. You can find

this by going to the Help & Support menu in the Start Center and selecting About.

TuneUp Utilities Manual 7

2. The Start Center

The new TuneUp Utilities Start Center is the central access point for all functions and optimization options.

The five categories

The main area in the TuneUp Utilities Start Center comprises five categories, giving you fast access to the key

features of TuneUp Utilities sorted by topic.

Status & Recommendations

The Status & recommendations category shows you an overview of the current condition of your system and

gives you recommendations on how you can improve the system's health. On the far right, you can see the

status of your system protection.

(For more information, see Status & Recommendations, p. 29.)

Optimizing the System

Under Optimize system, you can disable or uninstall unwanted programs and clean up your system and your

data.

(For more information, see Optimizing the System, p. 41.)

Gaining Disk Space

Under Gain disk space, you can delete unnecessary data systematically from your system.

(For more information, see Gaining Disk Space, p. 75.)

Fixing Problems

Under Fix problems, you will find simple solutions for any problems that might occur.

(For more information, see Fixing Problems, p. 90.)

Customizing Windows

Under Customize Windows, you have many opportunities to customize your working environment to suit you.

(For more information, see Customizing Windows, p. 104.)

TuneUp Utilities Manual 8

Overview of All Functions

To the right of the categories, you will see the Overview of all functions. This lists all the functions that are avail-

able in TuneUp Utilities - clearly sorted by application area.

The three PC optimization modes

In the PC optimization mode area, you can decide which mode should be turned on for your Windows oper-

ating system. There are three switches here: one for Economy Mode, one for Standard Mode and one for Turbo

Mode. Click the relevant switch to turn a mode on. Following installation, Standard Mode is turned on by

default.

Economy Mode

You can use TuneUp Economy Mode at any time to save energy on your computer and reduce your electricity

costs.

TuneUp Economy Mode is an intelligent module of TuneUp Utilities for saving energy. TuneUp Economy

Mode provides immediate energy saving whenever you need it. When you switch your computer to Economy

Mode, it reduces the energy used by hardware and the tasks, programs and features that are running in the back-

ground and not strictly necessary. They are turned off, which can reduce energy consumption considerably.

For more information about this, see Economy Mode, p. 22

Standard Mode

In Standard Mode all functions of TuneUp Utilities are available without restriction.

Turbo Mode

You can use TuneUp Turbo Mode to give your system an additional performance boost at any time and adjust it

to suit you.

TuneUp Turbo Mode provides an immediate performance boost whenever you need it. When you put your com-

puter into Turbo Mode, an analysis is performed to see which of those programs and functions currently run-

ning in the background are not strictly necessary. These programs are stopped or slowed down, allowing the

additional processing power gained to be used exclusively by the programs you are actually running.

For more information about this, see Turbo Mode, p. 16

Optimization Status

The Optimization Status is your personal indicator of optimization progress, i.e. it shows you how well you are

already using TuneUp Utilities and where there is still potential to optimize your system further. The Opti-

mization Status shows you details of both the Completed optimizations and the potential you have exploited.

The Optimization Status also helps you to recognize the remaining Unused potential and make use of it.

TuneUp Utilities Manual 9

The Menu Bar

In the menu bar, you have access to the central settings dialog of TuneUp Utilities and to information about the

program and individual modules.

The "Settings" Menu

Clicking on Settings takes you to the central configuration dialog of TuneUp Utilities. Here you can adapt the

program to your requirements, apply maintenance settings and configure TuneUp Live Optimization, TuneUp

Turbo Mode, the update check and many other modules of TuneUp Utilities (for more information, see Chang-

ing TuneUp Utilities Settings, p. 11).

Clicking on Settings takes you to the central configuration dialog of TuneUp Utilities. Here you can customize

the program to suit your needs, apply maintenance settings, and configure TuneUp Live Optimization, TuneUp

Turbo Mode, the update check and many other modules of TuneUp Utilities.

The "Help & Support" Menu

The Help & Support menu provides you with access to the extensive program help with detailed instructions

and program information. You can also click the link there and go to the TuneUp website directly. Clicking on

Check for updates starts the TuneUp Update Wizard module, which checks whether there are any new updates

for your TuneUp Utilities.

If you are using a trial version of TuneUp Utilities and already have a product key, click here on Activate prod-

uct and enter your product key. If you do not yet have a product key, you can click Buy product to go directly

to the TuneUp Shop website and buy a full version.

If you want to register your product, click Register product after you have successfully activated it. Enter your

name and your e-mail address.

TuneUp Utilities Manual 10

Changing TuneUp Utilities Settings

The following chapters explain how you can adapt important settings and TuneUp Utilities modules to suit your

needs.

Introduction

The central settings dialog of TuneUp Utilities contains a convenient list of the most important settings and

modules of TuneUp Utilities and their associated configuration options.

You can use the settings dialog to specify, among other things, how TuneUp Utilities is integrated into your

Windows operating system, which notifications should be displayed automatically and whether TuneUp Util-

ities should automatically check for updates.

In addition, you can configure the various modules, such as Live Optimization and Automatic Maintenance

and change the settings for Turbo Mode and Program Deactivator.

TuneUp Utilities Manual 11

How to Configure your TuneUp Utilities

There is a menu bar at the top right of the Start Center. Clicking on Settings opens the central TuneUp Utilities

settings dialog, which contains a list of the key settings for TuneUp Utilities and their configuration options -

conveniently sorted by area.

Alternatively, you can open the settings dialog by going to Overview of all functions in the Start Center and

selecting the Settings entry under TuneUp Utilities.

Integration

Here you can specify which desktop icons and context menu entries for TuneUp Utilities should be displayed

and whether the Windows Task Manager should be replaced with the TuneUp Process Manager.

Notification area icon

Here you can specify when you want to be informed by the TuneUp Utilities icon in the notification area of the

taskbar.

Notifications

Here you can specify when notifications about TuneUp Program Deactivator™ and maintenance measures

should be displayed.

If the notification that appears once automatic maintenance is complete disturbs you, you can switch it off here.

Remove the tick from next to Notify me when Automatic Maintenance is complete.

Updates

Here you can specify when and whetherTuneUp Utilities should automatically search for available updates and

inform you about them.

For more information about this, see How to Check for Updates, p. 149

Rescue Center Protection

Here you can specify which modules should be protected by TuneUp Rescue Center, so that changes can be

easily undone.

For more information about this, see How to Undo Changes, p. 38

TuneUp Utilities Manual 12

Password protection

Here you can specify whether password protection should be enabled for TuneUp Utilities to protect your

TuneUp Utilities from being used by unauthorized users. You need to set your personal password for this.

You also have the option of setting a password hint.

TuneUp Utilities Manual 13

How to Configure TuneUp Utilities Modules

In this area of the central settings dialog, you can change the settings for the various modules of TuneUp Util-

ities. Click on a module name on the left of the navigation bar to open the page for the module concerned.

You can configure the following TuneUp Utilities modules here:

Live Optimization

In this area, you can change the settings for Live Optimization.

For more information about this, see How to Configure Live Optimization, p. 54

1-Click Maintenance

In this area, you can change the settings for 1-Click Maintenance.

For more information about this, see How to Change Maintenance Settings, p. 33

Automatic maintenance

In this area, you can change the settings for Automatic Maintenance.

For more information about this, see How to Change Maintenance Settings, p. 33

Turbo Mode

In this area, you can change the settings for Turbo Mode.

For more information about this, see How to Configure Your Own TuneUp Turbo Mode, p. 19

Disk Space Explorer

In this area, you can change the settings for Disk Space Explorer.

For more information about this, see How to Configure TuneUp Disk Space Explorer, p. 84

TuneUp Utilities Manual 14

Program Deactivator

Here you can make various settings for TuneUp Program Deactivator™.

Specify whether programs that have been re-enabled by starting them manually should be automatically dis-

abled again after they are closed. You can also specify for programs that are scheduled to be disabled the time at

which this should happen.

For more information about TuneUp Program Deactivator™, see Disabling Programs, p. 42

TuneUp Utilities Manual 15

Turbo Mode

In the following chapters, you will find out when it can be useful to do so and what exactly happens when you

turn on the TuneUp Turbo Mode. On top of that, you will receive instructions on how to switch on and con-

figure TuneUp Turbo Mode.

Introduction

TuneUp Turbo Mode provides an immediate performance boost whenever you need it. When you put your com-

puter into Turbo Mode, an analysis is performed to see which of those programs and functions currently run-

ning in the background are not strictly necessary. These programs are stopped or slowed down, allowing the

additional processing power gained to be used exclusively by the programs you are actually running.

When should I switch on Turbo Mode?

Using the Turbo Mode can, for example, speed up computer games, make it easier to work with performance-

sapping programs or prevent videos from flickering or freezing when they are played. Note however that when

you enable Turbo Mode, you also turn off some functionalities that will not be available again until you turn off

Turbo Mode.

How Does Turbo Mode Work?

The following graphics illustrate the internal workings of your PC with the programs that you are currently using

(green) and those running in the background (blue). Here you can see how your PC is assisted as soon as you

enable Turbo Mode:

The green circles represent those programs that you wish to accelerate using the Turbo Mode. The blue dia-

monds are all the programs and functions that are not required at all when Turbo Mode is on (see How to Con-

figure Your Own TuneUp Turbo Mode, p. 19). These are therefore turned off so that all of the PC's processing

power is available to the required programs.

In addition to those programs that you are currently using (green), many others are also running in the back-

ground that are really not that important for your work (blue). If such background processes suddenly start to

require a great deal of processing power, they are assigned a lower priority so that your other programs can con-

tinue to run smoothly.

TuneUp Utilities Manual 16

How to Put the Computer into Turbo Mode

On the bottom left, in the TuneUp Utilities Start Center, you will see the Turbo Mode switch. Once you click

this switch, the computer is put into Turbo Mode. The TuneUp icon then appears in the notification area of the

taskbar, notifying you that Turbo Mode is on.

Alternatively, you can access the switch for Turbo Mode directly via the TuneUp Utilities icon in the notification

area of the taskbar. Left-click on the icon. A flyout window opens, showing the Turbo Mode switch on the bot-

tom left.

When you start Turbo Mode for the first time, a wizard will appear to help you create your own customized

Turbo Mode. The Turbo Mode wizard is integrated into the new central configuration dialog of TuneUp

Utilities.

TuneUp Utilities Manual 17

How to Switch to Turbo Mode

At the bottom left of the TuneUp Utilities Start Center, in the PC opti-

mization mode area, there is a Turbo Mode switch. Clicking on this

switches your computer to Turbo Mode.

Alternatively, you can start Turbo Mode by going to Overview of all

functions in the Start Center and selecting the Turn on Turbo Mode

entry under Windows.

Another alternative for switching on Turbo Mode can be found in the Turbo Mode switch in the TuneUp Util-

ities Gadget.

How to find out if Turbo Mode is switched on

If Turbo Mode is switched on, a TuneUp Utilities icon appears in the taskbar notification area (in the bottom

right-hand corner beside the time), which tells you that Turbo Mode is switched on. You can also recognize this

from the switch in the Start Center.

TuneUp Utilities Manual 18

How to Configure Your Own TuneUp Turbo Mode

Start the wizard for configuring the TuneUp Turbo Mode by clicking on Settings in the menu bar of the Start

Center and selecting the Turbo Mode area. Alternatively, open the window for configuring TuneUp Turbo

Mode by going to the TuneUp Utilities Start Center and clicking on the small wrench icon at the bottom left in

the PC optimization mode area.

Set up your own Turbo Mode in six easy steps - simply select which tasks, programs and functions can be dis-

abled temporarily to give a performance boost while Turbo Mode is enabled. The more you allow to be switched

off, the better the gain in performance will be. You can always temporarily turn off all functions and tasks sug-

gested here. None of your software features for Internet security or virus protection will be turned off.

TuneUp Utilities Manual 19

More about Your Settings Options

Step 1:Postpone automatic maintenance tasks until later

Maintenance measures that start automatically in the background are important for the maintenance of your

computer, but are not usually urgent. They can be carried out at a later date to free up the resources needed for

your programs.

In this step, you can configure the following settings:

Postpone scheduled defragmentation: This will prevent the scheduled hard disk defragmentation by Microsoft

or other well-known manufacturers from starting when Turbo Mode is on.

Postpone scheduled maintenance tasks: This will prevent automatic maintenance tasks and scheduled tasks for

Microsoft and other manufacturers from being carried out when Turbo Mode is on. This includes TuneUp Auto-

matic Maintenance and the automatic creation of backups.

Postpone automatic updates: If you select this option, you will be notified that program updates are available

but these will not be automatically downloaded or installed while Turbo Mode is on.

Step 2:Limit connection with external devices.

Every computer has many services running in the background that detect connected devices and provide you

with the necessary functions to use these devices. You can limit this support and have more resources available

for your programs.

In this step, you can configure the following settings:

Turn off synchronization with mobile devices: This setting will prevent synchronization of addresses, e-mails,

music files, etc. with your cell phone or portable media player and the related program will not start auto-

matically when the device is connected while Turbo Mode is on.

Limit support for digital cameras and scanners: When Turbo Mode is on, you cannot import images from your

digital camera or scan images.

Step 3:Reduce visual effects

Visual effects provide a graphical display of Windows but take up valuable space in the memory. Particularly

with a low performance graphics card you can increase the computer's performance by turning off visual

effects.

Tip:This is a popular way of increasing the performance of netbooks on a sustained basis.

In this step, you can configure the following settings:

Turn off visual special effects: This setting turns off transparency effects and shadows of windows, the preview

window in the taskbar and three-dimensional navigation between windows when Turbo Mode is on.

Switch to classic window design:This setting uses the classic Windows design for the appearance of windows,

menus and buttons when Turbo Mode is on, and transparency effects and thumbnails of windows in the taskbar

are disabled.

Switch to classic window design:This setting uses the classic Windows design for the appearance of windows,

menus and buttons when Turbo Mode is on, and the colorful Windows XP interface is disabled.

TuneUp Utilities Manual 20

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TuneUp Utilities 2012 User manual

TuneUp Utilities 2012 User manual

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