If there's one thing we've all experienced as Windows PC users, it's the inevitable degradation of our computers.
Our machines get bogged down with junk files, registry issues, fragmented hard drives, and other computer-related ills.
Fortunately, a utility like AVG TuneUp can deal with these issues and give your PC a jolt of new life.
Certainly, several AVG TuneUp features duplicate some of Windows 10's built-in tune-up tools, but the application is worth a purchase for those who want a simpler way to improve how their PCs operate.
Prices and Licenses
AVG TuneUp is nominally available in free and premium varieties.
However, the free version is just a teaser that lets you can run the system maintenance tools and see a list of your PC's problematic areas; you cannot use it to actually fix any of the issues.
The premium version, on the other hand, is a fully operational, $49.99-per-year application that, like Iolo System Mechanic, you can install on any number of devices.
That's a sweet touch in multi-PC homes and small businesses.
Unusually, the premium version has a 60-day trial that lets you use the full AVG toolset.
You have to hand over your credit card information, but you can at least try before you buy.
For $79.99 per year, AVG blesses you with TuneUp and tosses in a 10-device license for AVG Internet Security for Windows, AVG Antivirus for Mac, and AVG AntiVirus Pro for Android.
Just for comparison, Iolo also offers System Mechanic Professional, a $69.95-per-year Windows suite that bundles antivirus, anti-spyware, and anti-malware tools with the standard tune-up package.
Ashampoo WinOptimizer is one of the few tune-up utilities that isn't subscription based; it's a one-time $39.99 purchase that doesn't come with an option for a security add-on plan.
Please note that Windows 10 includes a handful of tune-up utilities that you should investigate if you don't want to spend money on third-party software.
Despite being free, Windows 10's tune-up software is surprisingly effective, as I'll explain later in this review.
Like Iolo System Mechanic and many other tune-up utilities, AVG TuneUp contains a digital toolbox containing many performance-boosting applications.
There are far too many to list here, but I'll highlight a few standout features.
One of AVG TuneUp's numerous features is Sleep Mode.
It works by identifying software that has lots of startup items or processes running in the background and puts them to sleep until you need them.
It's designed to alleviate the resource strain put on your PC and keep things moving at a brisk pace.
Browser Cleaner and Disk Cleaner have been a part of AVG TuneUp for some time now, but they're now improved to better clean up your hard drive.
You see, as you use your computer, the machine can build up leftover temporary data files that can impact browser and general computer effectiveness.
These two apps, between them, delete those useless files.
New to AVG TuneUp is Software Uninstaller, an app that removes bloatware, toolbars, and other unnecessary programs.
Like Slimware Utilities SlimCleaner, Software Uninstaller leverages a cloud-based rating system—made up of black lists, white lists, heuristic algorithms, and user ratings—to recommend apps to ditch.
This is valuable for freeing up hard drive space, and it might help you screen out sketchy software, too.
Like any tune-up utility worth its salt, AVG TuneUp includes a few extras that round out the package.
One of my favorites is Software Updater, which lets you download any available app updates with a button click.
Software Updater support more than 50 popular apps, including Firefox, Skype, and VLC Media Player.
In my testing, AVG TuneUp detected that Shrew Soft Lightweight Filter was not working correctly due to an outdated driver.
Clicking the Open icon launched AVG Driver Updater (an app installed as part of the AVG TuneUp download), which found and installed the latest driver for me.
Performance Improvements and Comparisons
I tested AVG TuneUp's ability to tune up a Windows PC by performing two tests—running the Geekbench system performance tool and measuring boot times—before and after running the tune-up utility to compare the computer's speed.
I ran each test three times, and then averaged the numbers.
Before I ran AVG TuneUp to clean up the system, my testbed—which has an Intel Core i5 CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti graphics card, 8GB of RAM, 2TB hard drive, all running Windows 10—booted in a lengthy 2 minutes and 32 seconds.
The rig scored 1,301, 5,960, and 182,137 on Geekbench's Single-Core, Multi-Core, and Compute Score tests, respectively.
As expected, I saw significant test score improvements after running AVG TuneUp.
My testbed's boot time dropped to a respectable 1 minute and 11 seconds, while the Single-Core, Multi-Core, and Compute Score numbers rose to 1,385, 5,967, and 183,102, respectively.
In fact, the new boot time placed just three seconds behind Iolo System Mechanic's 1 minute and 8 seconds category-leading mark.
AVG TuneUp didn't claim a top spot in any of the four testing categories, but it put up solid numbers across the board.
Raw numbers, however, do not tell the complete picture.
As I began using the PC again, I noticed snappier performance when using source-heavy applications, such as iTunes and Steam.
Clearly, AVG TuneUp positively impacts your PC, but you may be wondering how its improvements compare to the ones that come from Windows 10's own tune-up apps.
AVG TuneUp topped Windows 10 in one area: boot time (1 minute and 11 seconds versus 1 minute and 14 secs).
However, that doesn't mean AVG TuneUp isn't worth a purchase.
AVG TuneUp has all of its valuable tools in one convenient location.
With Windows 10, you have a Disk Defragmenter, Storage Sense, and Startup applications, but all are located in different places within the operating system.
There's no one button—or even one interface—that controls them all.
Plus, you get the Fire Shredder app that Iolo claims permanently deletes unwanted, sensitive files.
Windows 10 also has a feature that overwrites deleted data, Cipher, but it requires firing up Windows Powershell and tinkering with the command line.
I think it's safe to say that most people aren't willing or even able to do that.
Likewise, AVG TuneUp's Rescue Center simplifies the process of backing up Windows 10's shortcuts and registry, which comes in handy when disaster strikes.
It Does the Job
AVG TuneUp dramatically improved my junked-up testbed's performance in testing.
The tune-up utility may not have delivered the same category-leading numbers as the Editors' Choice award-winning Iolo System Mechanic, or Windows 10's default tools, but AVG TuneUp is still a worthy purchase due to its ease of use, unlimited licenses, and software updater.
If you want just the basic PC tune-up experience, Windows 10's free tools are a decent option, too.
Don't, however, expect the same simplicity or bonus features.
Pros
Unlimited licenses.
Improves system performance.
Comprehensive driver update software.
Includes a secure file shredder.
Smart cloud-based software uninstaller.
View More
Cons
Performance improvement not as large as some competing utilities.
Free version only displays problems, doesn't let you fix them.
The Bottom Line
AVG TuneUp is a digital toolbox that improves your PC's performance and tosses in some handy bonus apps, too.
Its pure speed enhancements rank aren't the very highest in our testing, but its benefits go beyond raw numbers.
If there's one thing we've all experienced as Windows PC users, it's the inevitable degradation of our computers.
Our machines get bogged down with junk files, registry issues, fragmented hard drives, and other computer-related ills.
Fortunately, a utility like AVG TuneUp can deal with these issues and give your PC a jolt of new life.
Certainly, several AVG TuneUp features duplicate some of Windows 10's built-in tune-up tools, but the application is worth a purchase for those who want a simpler way to improve how their PCs operate.
Prices and Licenses
AVG TuneUp is nominally available in free and premium varieties.
However, the free version is just a teaser that lets you can run the system maintenance tools and see a list of your PC's problematic areas; you cannot use it to actually fix any of the issues.
The premium version, on the other hand, is a fully operational, $49.99-per-year application that, like Iolo System Mechanic, you can install on any number of devices.
That's a sweet touch in multi-PC homes and small businesses.
Unusually, the premium version has a 60-day trial that lets you use the full AVG toolset.
You have to hand over your credit card information, but you can at least try before you buy.
For $79.99 per year, AVG blesses you with TuneUp and tosses in a 10-device license for AVG Internet Security for Windows, AVG Antivirus for Mac, and AVG AntiVirus Pro for Android.
Just for comparison, Iolo also offers System Mechanic Professional, a $69.95-per-year Windows suite that bundles antivirus, anti-spyware, and anti-malware tools with the standard tune-up package.
Ashampoo WinOptimizer is one of the few tune-up utilities that isn't subscription based; it's a one-time $39.99 purchase that doesn't come with an option for a security add-on plan.
Please note that Windows 10 includes a handful of tune-up utilities that you should investigate if you don't want to spend money on third-party software.
Despite being free, Windows 10's tune-up software is surprisingly effective, as I'll explain later in this review.
Like Iolo System Mechanic and many other tune-up utilities, AVG TuneUp contains a digital toolbox containing many performance-boosting applications.
There are far too many to list here, but I'll highlight a few standout features.
One of AVG TuneUp's numerous features is Sleep Mode.
It works by identifying software that has lots of startup items or processes running in the background and puts them to sleep until you need them.
It's designed to alleviate the resource strain put on your PC and keep things moving at a brisk pace.
Browser Cleaner and Disk Cleaner have been a part of AVG TuneUp for some time now, but they're now improved to better clean up your hard drive.
You see, as you use your computer, the machine can build up leftover temporary data files that can impact browser and general computer effectiveness.
These two apps, between them, delete those useless files.
New to AVG TuneUp is Software Uninstaller, an app that removes bloatware, toolbars, and other unnecessary programs.
Like Slimware Utilities SlimCleaner, Software Uninstaller leverages a cloud-based rating system—made up of black lists, white lists, heuristic algorithms, and user ratings—to recommend apps to ditch.
This is valuable for freeing up hard drive space, and it might help you screen out sketchy software, too.
Like any tune-up utility worth its salt, AVG TuneUp includes a few extras that round out the package.
One of my favorites is Software Updater, which lets you download any available app updates with a button click.
Software Updater support more than 50 popular apps, including Firefox, Skype, and VLC Media Player.
In my testing, AVG TuneUp detected that Shrew Soft Lightweight Filter was not working correctly due to an outdated driver.
Clicking the Open icon launched AVG Driver Updater (an app installed as part of the AVG TuneUp download), which found and installed the latest driver for me.
Performance Improvements and Comparisons
I tested AVG TuneUp's ability to tune up a Windows PC by performing two tests—running the Geekbench system performance tool and measuring boot times—before and after running the tune-up utility to compare the computer's speed.
I ran each test three times, and then averaged the numbers.
Before I ran AVG TuneUp to clean up the system, my testbed—which has an Intel Core i5 CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti graphics card, 8GB of RAM, 2TB hard drive, all running Windows 10—booted in a lengthy 2 minutes and 32 seconds.
The rig scored 1,301, 5,960, and 182,137 on Geekbench's Single-Core, Multi-Core, and Compute Score tests, respectively.
As expected, I saw significant test score improvements after running AVG TuneUp.
My testbed's boot time dropped to a respectable 1 minute and 11 seconds, while the Single-Core, Multi-Core, and Compute Score numbers rose to 1,385, 5,967, and 183,102, respectively.
In fact, the new boot time placed just three seconds behind Iolo System Mechanic's 1 minute and 8 seconds category-leading mark.
AVG TuneUp didn't claim a top spot in any of the four testing categories, but it put up solid numbers across the board.
Raw numbers, however, do not tell the complete picture.
As I began using the PC again, I noticed snappier performance when using source-heavy applications, such as iTunes and Steam.
Clearly, AVG TuneUp positively impacts your PC, but you may be wondering how its improvements compare to the ones that come from Windows 10's own tune-up apps.
AVG TuneUp topped Windows 10 in one area: boot time (1 minute and 11 seconds versus 1 minute and 14 secs).
However, that doesn't mean AVG TuneUp isn't worth a purchase.
AVG TuneUp has all of its valuable tools in one convenient location.
With Windows 10, you have a Disk Defragmenter, Storage Sense, and Startup applications, but all are located in different places within the operating system.
There's no one button—or even one interface—that controls them all.
Plus, you get the Fire Shredder app that Iolo claims permanently deletes unwanted, sensitive files.
Windows 10 also has a feature that overwrites deleted data, Cipher, but it requires firing up Windows Powershell and tinkering with the command line.
I think it's safe to say that most people aren't willing or even able to do that.
Likewise, AVG TuneUp's Rescue Center simplifies the process of backing up Windows 10's shortcuts and registry, which comes in handy when disaster strikes.
It Does the Job
AVG TuneUp dramatically improved my junked-up testbed's performance in testing.
The tune-up utility may not have delivered the same category-leading numbers as the Editors' Choice award-winning Iolo System Mechanic, or Windows 10's default tools, but AVG TuneUp is still a worthy purchase due to its ease of use, unlimited licenses, and software updater.
If you want just the basic PC tune-up experience, Windows 10's free tools are a decent option, too.
Don't, however, expect the same simplicity or bonus features.
Pros
Unlimited licenses.
Improves system performance.
Comprehensive driver update software.
Includes a secure file shredder.
Smart cloud-based software uninstaller.
View More
Cons
Performance improvement not as large as some competing utilities.
Free version only displays problems, doesn't let you fix them.
The Bottom Line
AVG TuneUp is a digital toolbox that improves your PC's performance and tosses in some handy bonus apps, too.
Its pure speed enhancements rank aren't the very highest in our testing, but its benefits go beyond raw numbers.
