Written by Jouni Vuorio, a 20-year-old college student from Espoo, Finland, this pair of programs, as well as his others, has earned a large and loyal following. All of his programs are available from most major download sites, or direct from his website at www.jv16.org.
His most popular program is RegCleaner, a powerful but easy to use tool that works with most versions of Windows. While there are some limits to its functionality with Windows 95, it is fully functional with Windows versions 98 to XP. RegCleaner is designed for both the novice and the power user, being both very simple to use and powerful. RegCleaner removes old and obsolete registry entries created by software that had been previously installed, but deleted. It can also remove references to old and obsolete file types, old or obsolete software entries, useless entries on the Add/Remove list, unused DLL (dynamic link library) files that simply take up space and resources, automatically detects and deletes unused DLL files that are listed as “shared”, backs up critical entries before deletion, can be easily automated, and offers a multi-lingual user interface. In contemporary terms, this program is a remarkably small download, only about 500k. What may likely have been the final version of RegCleaner has recently been released, version 4.30.780.
The reason why the current version of RegCleaner is likely the latest is that Jouni Vuorio has recently written a successor program, JV16 PowerTools, version 1.1.0.155. This new program is a much larger download, about 2mb, and includes the latest version of RegCleaner as well as several other powerful and useful utilities. JV16PowerTools was designed as a comprehensive utility to improve computer performance, containing many utilities competitive with expensive commercial programs, but free for personal use (there is a nominal registration fee for commercial use). This utility allows the user to easily take more control of his computer, and significantly improve its performance. In addition to a registry cleaner (the registry is a file containing most of the information necessary for the computer and software to function together), it also can save significant hard drive space by identifying and deleting duplicate or redundant files, as well as controlling and deleting unnecessary “temp” (temporary) files. As with RegCleaner, PowerTools maintains the add/remove list, and modifies and removes unneeded file associations and shell extensions.
One major factor in computer performance degradation is having too many programs loaded when the computer is booted. While Windows has had a similar integral utility since Windows 98, many users find PowerTools an easier method to control what loads automatically. Like many other available programs, PowerTools can repair many common registry errors with its built-in “registry fixer”. For those not sure if what they do is correct, PowerTools always makes a backup before any changes are made, and saves a copy of any deleted files. Changes can be quickly undone, or deleted files restored, if desired.
In addition to deleting useless DLL and duplicate files, PowerTools can also delete “zero length” files from the hard drive; these “zero” files actually can consume substantial hard drive space. Another function is identifying and repairing or deleting broken shortcuts. This saves both space and time. Other interesting utilities included allow for the mass renaming of files, extracting information from music, image, and executable files, changing file attributes (such as “read only” or “hidden”), and finding and replacing text within text files. For an individual concerned about others possibly reading files on his hard drive, or reading intercepted email, PowerTools incorporates several of the popular encryption tools allowing encryption and decryption of files and data at will.
For those who can never seem to remember to perform routine computer maintenance tasks, PowerTools offers automated maintenance tasks, including the periodic cleaning of temporary files and directories, and the emptying of the recycle bin. Registry maintenance can also be automated to keep the registry clean and efficient. If there are multiple users using a computer, PowerTools allows selective implementation, restricting access to some utilities to specific users. The program is easy to keep up-to-date, as it includes an integral “Internet Update” feature, which can check for any new versions of the program.
As with RegCleaner, PowerTools can appear and function in several languages, allowing a multinational implementation of the single package. Power users will appreciate the ability to create custom keyboard shortcuts for frequently utilized functions and programs, as well as the ability to modify Windows’ menus.
Jouni Vuorio, the author of these utilities, is currently a computer major at a technical college in Finland, and is promoting these programs as a hobby and as a reputation builder, rather then as a method of generating personal wealth. His programs are free of any advertising, spyware, or other nefarious features that many users dislike, making RegCleaner and JV16PowerTools a pleasure to use. While free for personal use, Jouni Vuorio is soliciting purely voluntary donations to fund his continuing efforts to improve his existing titles, and to encourage the development of new titles. For commercial use, PowerTools requires a nominal license fee of $5 to $10 per user. Compared to its more expensive commercial rivals, PowerTools is a worthy competitor, and should be strongly considered by those desiring to enhance the performance of their computers.
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