System Tuner - Frequently Asked Questions

What is System Tuner?

System Tuner optimizes your computer's performance and helps protect your privacy on the Internet by removing unnecessary files and adjusting your system settings. It also backs up your current system settings before getting started, just in case you change your mind later about the changes made.
 

Which aspects of my computer does System Tuner enhance? 

System Tuner deletes unnecessary files to recover disk space, switches off unused startup programs, and cleans up the system registry. In addition, it can remove web browser cookies, chat histories, and other records generated during normal use of your computer to help protect your privacy.
 

What benefits does System Tuner provide? 

System Tuner can offer the following enhancements to your computer:

• Disk space - System Tuner checks for recoverable disk space in temporary folders, the Recycle Bin, and other locations. You can use the space recovered to store more programs and files.
• Startup programs - Most computers have several programs and services that start automatically when Windows™ opens. Many of these programs and services, including security software, must remain in memory for your benefit. However, computers with limited memory that run too many programs can slow down or become unresponsive. System Tuner can automatically find and delete autostart settings pointing at missing files to help prevent startup problems. If you thoroughly understand how Windows works, you can also choose to remove other autostart settings.
• System registry - The system registry contains all of your Windows and program settings. Unused, broken, or invalid entries cluttering the registry can affect your computer's stability and performance. Sometimes they can even prevent you from installing applications or starting Windows™. System Tuner can find and remove unneeded registry entries.
• Internet privacy - Websites use small text files called cookies to provide you with customized content or services. Your browser history lets you easily revisit websites. However, someone could also use this information to identify your computer and analyze what you view on the Internet. To help protect your privacy, System Tuner can delete cookies and browser history entries.
• Software histories - To help prevent spyware from gathering information about your computer, System Tuner can delete lists of files recently opened by Windows, Microsoft® Office software, media players, Windows search, and other programs. It can also delete the lists of files or programs recently opened from the Windows Start button menu.
• Instant messaging privacy - To help maintain your privacy online, System Tuner can remove chat histories, recent screen names, lists of files downloaded, transaction logs, and other information generated by using Windows Live (MSN) Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), and Yahoo! Messenger.
   

How does System Tuner recover disk space?

System Tuner finds recoverable disk space in the following places:

• Temporary Internet Files - Your web browser uses local copies of pages on the Internet to display websites more quickly.
• Recycle Bin - This desktop folder allows you to recover deleted files.
• Temporary Files - Windows and other programs may only use some files temporarily. While most programs automatically delete these temporary files, some do not, or else abandon them after encountering problems.
• Windows Update Temporary Files - Updates to your Microsoft operating system may leave some unnecessary files behind after finishing.
   

What is the system registry?

The system registry is a database of settings used by Windows and other programs. The registry often contains leftover entries from software already removed.
 

How does System Tuner make improvements to the registry? 

System Tuner checks for broken or invalid entries in the system registry, including the following:

• Shared DLL - If multiple programs share DLLs, then broken entries can affect them.
• Help File - Programs use these paths to find help files.
• HTML Help File - Programs use these paths to find HTML help files.
• App Paths - Broken application paths result from removing programs improperly so that shortcuts do not work.
• Uninstallation - Broken paths to uninstallers and removal programs can cause problems when getting rid of software using shortcuts or the Windows Add/Remove Programs feature.
• ARP Cache - This section of the registry contains information about programs for the Windows Add/Remove Programs feature, but can sometimes contain remnants referring to programs already removed.
• Current User Environment - These environment variables, such as the %Path% variable (which defines where the command interpreter can find files), apply to the person currently using the computer.
• Local Machine Environment - These environment variables, such as the %Path% variable (which defines where the command interpreter can find executable files), apply to everyone using the computer.
   

What are startup programs? 

Most computers have several programs and services that start automatically when Windows starts. Many of these programs and services, including security software, must remain in memory for your benefit. However, computers with limited memory that run too many programs can slow down or become unresponsive.
 

How does System Tuner change the autostart settings to improve computer performance?

Autostart settings allow different programs and services to start automatically when Windows starts. System Tuner checks these settings and can delete autostart settings that point to missing files to fix startup problems.

You can also select programs and services that should not start automatically with Windows. When you perform a tune-up, System Tuner will remove the autostart settings for these programs and services.
 

How does System Tuner enhance my privacy on the Internet? 

System Tuner can help protect your privacy on the Internet by deleting the following data:

• Cookies - Websites use these small text files to identify or authenticate your computer and provide personalized content.
• "Autocomplete" records - Your web browser can store passwords, user names, and other data needed to access websites.
• Google toolbar search history - Once installed, this toolbar keeps track of the searches you have conducted on the web.
• Web browser history - Your web browser keeps a record of websites that you have visited to make revisiting them easier.

During a tune-up, the System Tuner can delete all of this information to help prevent others from monitoring your activities on the Internet.
 

What changes can I undo after a tune-up?

You cannot completely undo all of the changes made by the System Tuner. For example, you cannot restore deleted files, cookies, or browser history entries. However, you can recover your former registry entries, environment variables, and autostart settings.

Always keep Windows System Restore enabled performing a tune-up in case you want to undo any changes made to your system settings.
 

How do I undo changes made during a tune-up? 

To recover system settings, use the restore point created during the tune-up.
 

Does disabling System Restore prevent me from undoing changes made by System Tuner? 

Yes, you must have System Restore enabled to undo changes to your system settings during the tune-up. System Tuner will prompt you to enable System Restore before performing the tune-up. If you do not enable System Restore or it fails, you can continue the tune-up, but you will not be able to undo any changes.
 

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