Advanced WindowsCare

[Lisandro]

I'm beta testing the Advanced WindowsCare V2 Beta 3.5.
I'm very surprised with the hability of WindowsCare immunization feature. Similar - but larger - that the Spybot one.

There is one more issue I've found too: they 'recommend' disabling Security Center service of Windows. But you can add it to the ignore list.
I'll post screenshots of it to show it's very good features.

http://www.iobit.com/AdvancedWindowsCarePersonal/index.html

[Lisandro]

Main window:
1. Computer Type: tweaks acording with the use of the computer.
2. Network Connection: tweaks acording with the Internet connection.
3. AutoCare: the scanning interface (with Spyware Defense, Security Defense or Immunization, Registry Scan, System Analysis, Startup items, Privacy Sweep, Temporary files cleaning, free on-line virus scanning).
4. Auto Update.

[Lisandro]

General settings and features:
1. You can mininize the application to the System Tray.
2. Load it automatically (and prevent it to be disabled as well).
3. Scheduling updates through Windows Tasks (so, very flexible, even more the Professional version of avast scheduling).

[Lisandro]

Auto-care settings:
1. Sweep system for privacy with some flexibility... there are better programs that allow more tweaks and plugins. After the scanning you can see more options.
2. Scheduling for the sweeping.

[Lisandro]

Interface configuration:
1. Language interface.
2. Themes 

[Lisandro]

Ignore List:
Flexibility to Registry keys, System analysis (services for instance) and Startup list.
Good for advanced users and the ones who loves configurability 

[Lisandro]

Scanning Interface:
1. Spyware and Adweare Scanning and removal.

2. Security or Immunization (see picture). Right now:
   27591 spyware items could be immunizated. Compare with Spybot only: 14362.
   1575 infected websites are access-blocked.
   529 tracing cookies are monitored.
   One minor handicap: the enabling procedure is very time consuming compared to SpyBot and even IE-Spyad (adding protection to Windows Registry).
   Prevention is the solution! 

3. Registry Scan: cleaning the registry for invalid items. There is a white list (ignore list). It's not the 'best' registry cleaner we can found. But, as a lot of users like, safer than powerful...

4. System Analysis: recommend tweak settings and 'false' empty registry keys solution.

5. Startup items: with 'trust it' feature. You can manage all your startup items and/or Registry keys (for advanced users).

6. Privacy Sweep: could be improved... few plugins and programs target. Oh, a handicap: does not allow cookie management... I can loggoff of avast forums 

7. Temporary files cleaning: Temporary Files from Windows, Internet Explorer and/or Recycle bin. Allow some configurability. Miss the 'timed' features of IEPrivacy cleaner (that allow you to delete temporary files after some 'days' of safety).

8. The on-line scanning? http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp
    Well, it takes you to TrendMicro 

[TedNelly]

Yes Tech not a bad program however must be used with a little care
or Advanced Windows Care can be careless 
Care oops I didn't do that?? did I?

[Lisandro]

Care oops I didn't do that?? did I?

Except for the 'Security Center' disabling service, I'm testing it without problem.
Even this, is questionable: what protects you is the 'real' protection of the firewall and antivirus and not only if the system is 'monitoring' it by Security Center.
Vista added antispyware monitoring to Security Center.

Besides this, Advanced WindowsCare has a wonderful Restore Center if you make any mistake 

[TedNelly]

Oh that restore center I hadn't looked at that     thanks Tech.
I'll have to have a better look in the future. Must be my old age
I look but I don't see:

[Lisandro]

I'll have to have a better look in the future.

Why not right now?
It's a freeware...
You can only 'scan' without messing your system (if possible) and ask your questions about them 

Really recommend this piece of software 

[Jarmo P]

We are not loosing you Tech on the microsoft league, hehe?
It is only antispyware you are talking about?
I just usually, run ccleaner and be quite happy I am "relatively" clean.

[Lisandro]

We are not loosing you Tech on the microsoft league, hehe?

In fact I'm closer and closer of Linux world...
I'm not convinced on Vista at the very deep 

It is only antispyware you are talking about?

Not... just another layered defense. If I can immunize the system against antivirus I won't doubt it... 

I just usually, run ccleaner and be quite happy I am "relatively" clean.

In fact, a more powerfull option to temporary files and registry cleaning... Yet? Will Advanced WindowsCare be better? 

[Jarmo P]

Sounds good Tech. I am very wary of installing security software, so I put this link to my faves. After serious consideration I might then install and remember  you were the first one to recommend it
Takes me weeks of course to be convinced as I am slow.

[Lisandro]

Takes me weeks of course to be convinced as I am slow.

Prudence 
Anyway, I'm using only the freeware version and the Pro (USD$29.95/year/3 PC) one has more features. There isn't a trial version as far I found...
It's a Suite for 'common' users: all-in-one, buttom-only click.
But it allows configuration for advanced users.