Advanced Registry Optimizer 2010

This program, like many others, promises to clean your Registry, make your computer run faster, and, if you're lucky, do your dishes, too. At least when it comes to cleaning your Registry, Advanced Registry Optimizer seems to do a pretty good job.

The scan process was easy to initiate and was done in about 3 minutes, although don't forget that the scan time depends on the computer system. A smart-looking row of five tabs and their labels makes navigating the program options stress-free, and the lack of lag on the system was much appreciated. The user interface has quite a bit of white space, which makes options easy to see. New features include advanced tweaking options for power use, faster performance on NTFS systems, selective CPU priority, so you can set specific programs to get more CPU attention than others, and a start-up accelerator.

There's also a scheduler and tools for scanning, optimizing, and backup, and an exclusion list to prevent certain Registry entries from accidentally being altered. For beginning and intermediate users, this should be enough. Keep in mind that the trial version of the program is severely limited and can be difficult to evaluate for the home user. Advanced Registry Optimizer will clean your computer's clock and keep it ticking. Just don't expect it to do your household chores.