User:TaraSwimms/sandbox

Auslogics BoostSpeed is a software application presented as a bundle of software utilities intended to speed up, optimize and clean the user's computer, fix registry errors, improve Internet performance, remove unneeded files and entries, and defragment the disks and the registry. The program can also adjust Windows settings to match a specific computer configuration with the intent to improve Internet speed and reduce computer startup and shutdown time. The program is intended for use on computers that run the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Publisher
The program is published by Auslogics Software Pty Ltd, an Australian-based company that specializes in maintenance software for computers that run the Microsoft Windows operating system. Started in 2008, the company gained recognition for its two most highly rated products – Auslogics BoostSpeed and Auslogics Disk Defrag. In 2009 the company partnered with Sony Vaio to develop part of the Sony Vaio Care software installed on the Vaio laptops and desktop PC’s. As of 2011, Auslogics has the Premier Elite Partner status in the Intel Software Partner Program.

History
Auslogics BoostSpeed 3 was the first official release of the program, as prior versions were deemed by their developers as requiring more work to be done. It started out with limited computer optimization options and expanded to include 18 utilities combined into one computer maintenance suite in version 5.2.0.0. The publisher also made the program available in different languages, with more languages being added from version to version. ZOTAC, a Hong Kong-based hardware manufacturer, included Auslogics BoostSpeed in its ZOTAC Boost XL software bundle, which is supplied with ZOTAC's mini-computers.

Product Components
Auslogics BoostSpeed 5.2.0.0, the latest version as of the date of this article, comes as a bundle of the following tools :
 * Disk Doctor - a tool that checks a hard drive for bad sectors, lost clusters, directory errors and other problems.
 * Disk Defrag – a hard drive defragmenter, which is also available as a separate freeware application.
 * Disk Cleaner – a tool that deletes temporary files and other unused/unneeded files from the hard drive.
 * Internet Optimizer – a tool intended to optimize the internet connection. It tests the existing internet connection settings on a user’s computer and makes the adjustments with the purpose of speeding up the connection.
 * Track Eraser – a utility that deletes traces of a user’s activity on the computer, like cookies, history of visited websites, viewed images, opened documents, etc.
 * File Shredder – a tool that is intended to permanently delete files without a possibility to restore them.
 * Startup Manager – provides a list of programs that automatically start when Windows boots or a user logs on, allowing modifying this list by disabling or enabling items.
 * Service Manager – provides a list of services running on a user’s computer with descriptions and recommendations on which services can be disabled to reduce the load on system resources.
 * System Information – gathers technical details for the system, including hardware specs, operating system details, information on installed software, and allows saving this information in a report.
 * File Recovery – a tool that is intended to recover files that were deleted by accident or by a virus attack. Allows to preview files before restoring them.
 * Disk Explorer – a tool that provides information on which files and folders take up the most space on a disk, intended to help the user clear disk space by deleting or moving the largest files.
 * Registry Defrag – a tool to defragment the Windows registry.
 * Registry Cleaner - a tool to scan the Windows registry for errors and repair such errors. The tool backs up changes to allow restoring the registry to its previous state in case the cleanup causes any problems.
 * Tweak Manager – provides a list of settings that can be adjusted to customize Windows, web browsers, email clients and instant messaging applications, along with descriptions of what each setting does and what effect it may have on system performance.
 * Duplicate File Finder – intended to locate and remove file duplicates with the intent of freeing up disk space.
 * Disk Wiper – wipes free space on a hard drive with the intent of removing all traces of deleted files.
 * Uninstall Manager – shows a list of all installed programs describing their level of trustworthiness and frequency of use; allows uninstalling programs in the standard mode, in the background or by force.
 * Task Manager – similar to the Windows Task Manager, this tool shows all running applications and processes, and allows to stop the ones that are not needed.
 * Rescue Center – allows to back up the system state before performing any tasks with the intent to help undo any changes the program makes, if the user is not satisfied with the result.

Independent tests
Auslogics BoostSpeed software received the Editor’s Pick award from several software distributing and reviewing websites, including Brothersoft, Software.Informer , Free Downloads Center. It has been reviewed by computer experts from a number of industry magazines and websites, such as the online CNet, PC World, SoftwareCrew, as well as printed editions – Windows Vista: the Official Magazine , Computer Buyer , PC Advisor , Computer Shopper , Micro Mart. Most give it their highest mark pointing out the program’s following advantages:
 * large number of computer system optimization tools included in one suite
 * effectiveness of the optimization techniques utilized in the program
 * program’s small size
 * high speed of scans and various other operations performed by the program
 * ease of use for an inexperienced customer

Among the disadvantages mentioned in online reviews are the limited functionality of the application’s trial version and, again, the large number of tools, which requires a user to spend some time familiarizing with the application.

The Ultimate Guide to Windows Vista book published in 2008 recommends using Auslogics BoostSpeed to optimize Windows-based systems saying that "Tests showed an impressive performance improvement on a 4-year old laptop and its optimization techniques should work for a much newer computer, too."

In the independent tests performed by Asiasoft Online, an Asian publisher of Massively Multiplayer Online Games, Auslogics BoostSpeed improved the gaming experience on test systems by speeding up game launching, eliminating lags and increasing frame rate.