Have your way with Windows

If your computer handles a heavy load of programs, deleted files, and temporary downloads, asking Windows to do your bidding is akin to disciplining a two-year-old child. You'll get your way in the end, but only after some resistance. Here are six top-rated, perfectly legal performance enhancers for Windows XP and Vista that help you regain control.

Easy Vista ManagerLaying out a smorgasbord of tweaks for all your computer's categories, this premium, easy-to-use performance-perfecter has Vista's particular traits in mind. Each of Easy Vista Manager's categories, ranging from hardware and software to network and security, is chockablock with detailed information about your computer and what you can tweak, including a few surprises that might help you save on energy overall--your own and the computer's. While the 20 use trial period isn't the most generous we've seen, Easy Vista Manager's thorough view into Vista's ins and outs makes it well worth the download


RAMBooster
While most of the all-in-one optimizing applications include a tool to rev performance by freeing up choked RAM, you can do that on your own with a freeware program like RAMBooster. The small application may register as a little old-school, but it has what it takes to give your PC some extra fire. RAMBooster includes a few program defaults for those still new to the process, but you can modify them to your liking. An icon in the system tray serves as your memory conscience, gleaming red and black if all's well. As your quotient of available memory falls, the icon switches to yellow, a sure sign it's time to do some tweaking.



Glary Utilities

A brawny freeware application, Glary Utilities will helpfully put the squeeze on inefficient settings without charging you a cent. The good-looking optimization suite includes a Registry cleaner, and a privacy minder that sweeps away Internet Explorer tracks. In addition are tools to cut out junk files, remove invalid and dead-end shortcuts, and manage start-up programs. A file-shredder is also included, to securely reduce deleted files to ribbons. While you'll be able to perform many of the same actions from Windows' various maintenance folders, Glary Utilities and its optimizing kin conveniently centralize the tools and streamline the process.



Auslogics BoostSpeedBoostSpeed supersizes Auslogics' freeware disk defragmenter and Registry defrag into a strong package that includes some services unique to this all-in-one premium download. If you're already a fan of Auslogics' applications, its free-to-try suite will not disappoint. Optimizing the program's RAM, disk space, and Registry are Auslogics BoostSpeed's top tools, along with the file shredder and performance monitor. In addition, the application features a decent uninstall manager, start-up manager, browser tweaker, and manager for customizing Windows' interface and routines.



PerfectDisk

A defragmenter at its core, PerfectDisk tops robust performance-tending features with an attractive, logical interface. Its defragger comes equipped with a tool to analyze your data patterns and to use that information to more efficiently store your data in the future. This tack introduces a preventative element that helps lubricate your PC's internal gears. Offline defragmenting is another key feature of this free-to-try application that can optimize parts of your drive that can't be touched while Windows is going.



Tune-Up Utilities
TuneUp Utilities 2009 earns high praise for its capability to get to the heart of Windows' maintenance tools in a faster, prettier, and easier-to-use format. The modules tackle temporary files, superfluous registry entries, and start-up routines, and do so in a way that gets you maximum speed. In addition, the free-to-try application also packs on a host of performance accelerators, enhancers, and tweaks. There's also a file shredder, file recovery tools, and a tool to quickly analyze your problem areas. A button programmed with general presets gives those new to the optimizing game a one-click option for boosting performance.