The best programs to speed up your PC make it simple and easy to optimize windows and clear out junk files.
Windows 11 slowing down over time is common, but with the best free programs to speed up your PC, it doesn't need to be this way! This software can breathe new life into your computer and make it run as smoothly as butter.
Windows 11 come with numerous tools to help you optimize your system, and there are plenty of handy techniques you can use to speed up your computer - and get rid of junk files - but this can be time-consuming.
That's where the best free programs to speed up your PC come in. Free options can be just as good as their paid counterparts - and don't make your wallet sweat.
So, we've tested a variety of free third-party programs and compiled a list of the best for speeding up your PC right here. Our top pick right now is Fortect, which clears out junk files, provides performance tweaks, and repairs any malware damage your computer may have. If it's not for you, though, there are plenty of other great options on our list to consider.
The best free program to speed up your PC of 2024 in full:
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Best overall
Fortect tries to be more than just an app that aims to speed up your PC. Namely, aside from fixing your registry issues and system files, it focuses on junk files and damage caused by malware and provides performance tweaks. The developers clearly tried to focus on addressing all common issues that can cause a PC to run slow or even crash. Thanks to its blazing-fast scanning speed and in-depth repair, it manages to identify issues or missing DLLs and fix them in a matter of seconds.
A major benefit of Fortect is its capability to replace corrupted files cleanly, ensuring that your personal data and installed applications remain unaffected. Fortect also enhances your computer's performance substantially by eliminating unnecessary junk files and fine-tuning your system settings. Thanks to its extensive database of Windows components, it ensures each time it performs a repair, it uses the correct files. So whether it's a minor or a major glitch, Fortect can diagnose and potentially solve the issue without you losing days, weeks, and sometimes months of research and diagnostics.
The One-year plan covers a year of service. In contrast, the Multi-device plan includes extra functionalities such as disk defragmentation and automated updates. The Ultimate plan goes a step further by providing premium customer support and enhanced malware detection features.
Read our full Fortect review
Best affordable
IObit Advanced SystemCare takes a two-pronged approach, targeting general PC clutter and security threats.
The free version of the software covers the fundamentals, with quick system scanning, one-click protection from hacking, performance monitoring, and the ability to automatically capture the faces of potential intruders with FaceID.
These are all excellent tools – well-designed and simple to use – but to reap the full benefits, you need to invest in the software's premium edition. IObit Advanced SystemCare Pro is one of the most affordable cleanup tools around. A one-year license offers a raft of extra features, including startup optimization, automatic updates, and performance monitoring.
For only a little more, Advanced SystemCare Ultimate throws in a full security suite to protect your PC from malware and viruses. It includes protection from ransomware that detects unauthorized file changes in real time and blocks them before your data can be encrypted – even if it's a new threat that's never been encountered.
Some of IObit Advanced SystemCare's tools will have a negligible effect on system performance unless you're scraping by, but its deep scans will throw up lots of potential improvements that can make a tangible difference to system performance. We particularly appreciate the clear labeling of scan results so users can make an informed decision about what to keep and discard.
Read our full IObit Advanced SystemCare review
Best accessible
Ashampoo WinOptimizer (so-called because it cleans your PC 'like a shampoo') is one of the most accessible tools for speeding up your PC and is a great choice if you've never used a system optimization tool before.
Click 'Start search,' and this software scans your drives for potential issues and splits the results into three categories: clean up (junk files), optimize (internet settings), and protect (history and logs). You can fix these all with a single click or click the 'Details' button for more information.
This is where Ashampoo WinOptimizer really shines. Rather than just presenting you with an impenetrable list of file names, it walks you through each issue individually, offering a brief description, an explanation of how it might affect your PC's performance, and a recommended course of action. It's refreshing to see an interface so carefully designed with accessibility in mind.
There's also the usual bundle of defragging, uninstalling, and startup management tools (grouped under the 'Modules' tab), but the main scanner is the main highlight.
If you upgrade, the premium version of Ashampoo WinOptimizer includes an additional game booster, faster scans, Windows 10 privacy controls, and a wizard for tuning SSDs.
Read our full Ashampoo WinOptimizer review
Best paid for
Whether you opt for the free or premium edition, Iolo System Mechanic is one of the best tools for speeding up your PC and clearing unwanted files.
System Mechanic offers two types of scans: Quick and Deep. The first option identifies the most common issues (including temporary files, browser history, and registry entries). The Deep scan delves further and can turn up more results, but it takes several minutes. Your results may differ, but in our experience, both turned up a similar number of issues.
Clicking the 'Details' link provides plenty of information about the identified problems and why you might want to remove them, though it's not quite as straightforward as Ashampoo Winoptimizer.
Iolo System Mechanic Professional is the most expensive of the PC speed-up tools here but covers all the PCs in your home rather than just one. It's also much more than just a system optimizer; it includes dual-engine malware protection, data recovery, secure file deletion, and many more extras.
If you're considering buying an anti-malware tool to supplement your antivirus, it's well worth adding Iolo System Mechanic to your shortlist.
Note that you'll be asked to submit an email address during registration, but Iolo doesn't share it with third parties.
Read our full iolo System Mechanic review
Best for experts
Piriform CCleaner is incredibly thorough, scanning every scrap of your hard drive or SSD for unnecessary files that could slow it down. However, unlike some system speed-up tools, it's never overwhelming. Search results are organized into sensible categories (such as temporary files attached to web browsers and ones related to Windows), and any files you might want to keep are unchecked by default.
CCleaner doesn't offer a description of all file types before offering to purge them, but if you select any of the files under the 'Advanced' heading, it'll tell you why you should think twice before removing them. It would be nice if all the annotations were so clear, but we appreciate the effort.
CCleaner's registry scanner is superb; most system speed-up tools just give you a one-click option, but CCleaner lets you pick which entry types to search for. This is ideal if you're having trouble with something specific (for example, if you can't re-install a program because of an entry left over after uninstalling it).
You also get the usual defrag, drive wipe, and system restore tools, though these are all easily accessible through Windows 10's Control Panel.
When you install CCleaner Free, you're also offered a download of Avast Free Antivirus. It's one of the best free antivirus apps around and well worth a look if you're in the market for a new security suite, but otherwise, make sure you uncheck the box before proceeding.
A CCleaner Pro license gives you convenient real-time monitoring, scheduled cleaning, automatic updates, and premium support. The free cleaner is excellent, but the Pro version will save time and hassle in the long run.
Read our full Piriform CCleaner review
Best for speed
Glary Utilities free and premium versions promise to make your PC up to eight times faster. Its main attraction is its one-click cleanup, but there's also a bundle of extras, including a disk space analyzer, process manager, and context menu manager (an unusual but welcome addition).
Glary Utilities also provides a handy estimate of your PC's boot time, and the free edition includes automatic updates – a time-saving feature you'll normally have to pay for.
Its one-click maintenance option checks for all the usual system detritus, including broken and missing registry entries and temporary files. Some of its descriptions are a little odd. For example, its history cleanup tool is listed as Tracks Eraser – a strange term you won't encounter elsewhere. If Glary Utilities finds issues related to them, you can click 'show details' to find out what they are - otherwise, they'll remain a mystery.
On scan results, we'd like to see more information about what each problem identified actually is instead of just a list of file names and locations so that users can make an informed choice about what to keep.
One word of warning: when you install the free version of Glary Utilities, you're given the option to add a desktop icon for Maiagames – a developer of free puzzle and adventure games. The tickbox is unchecked by default, but it's worth paying attention if you want to avoid extras.
Read our full Glary Utilities review
FAQs
Which PC speedup program is best for you?
When deciding which PC speedup program to download and use, first consider what your actual needs are, as sometimes free platforms may only provide basic options, so if you need to use advanced tools, you may find a paid platform is much more worthwhile. Additionally, free and budget software options can sometimes prove limited when it comes to the variety of tools available, while higher-end software can cater all needs, so ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require.
How we test
To test for the best PC speedup programs, we first set up an account with the relevant software platform, whether as a download or an online service. We then tested the service to see how the software could be used for different purposes and in different situations. The aim was to push each software platform to see how useful its basic tools were and how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.
Read how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar.
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