Use Microsoft PC Manager to Clean up (and Speed Up) a Slow Computer
We generally disapprove of PC cleaning apps like CCleaner because they tend to do little more than help you find the same cleaning options that are already built into your computer (sometimes for a fee). However, we can make an exception for PC Manager because it is made by Microsoft itself and works very well.
PC Manager is currently in beta testing, but you can test it ahead of time to see if it’s right for your computer. It works on Windows 10 1809 and newer versions of the operating system. Fair warning: itsdownload page is in Chinese, but the default installer and app automatically use English. The app seems to be aimed at the PC market in China, but it works great no matter where you are and it’s actually legal.
PC Manager offers a simple user interface that will help you find and fix common problems slowing down your computer. For example: Click the Launch Applications button to prevent certain applications from launching when you turn on your computer. The Process Control option allows you to check the memory usage of running applications and allows you to close these applications with a single click.
The most useful option is Boost , which immediately frees up RAM and removes temporary files from your computer. In our test, RAM usage decreased from 62% to 45% after clicking this button, while Firefox’s memory usage increased from 1.9GB to 412MB. This is a good, albeit temporary, solution to speed up your computer.
The app also has a “Storage Manager” option that lets you find and delete large files or junk files by referencing the built-in Windows uninstaller and Storage Sense features , while a “Security” tab lets you quickly check for Windows updates and run malware scans. Yes, these options are available elsewhere in Windows, but PC Manager makes it easy to find them all at once.
The app isn’t perfect – it can take advantage of a few extra features, such as the ability to delete leftover files that remain even after you’ve uninstalled certain apps. However, it’s a good (free) way to speed up your slow computer or help troubleshoot a family member’s computer. Most importantly, it comes from a developer you can trust, which means they are unlikely to download ads and malware onto your computer.