Ashampoo StartUp Tuner 2 2.00

Ashampoo StartUp Tuner 2 is a a Windows startup manger designed to reduce your system's startup time and increase its performance. The program is freeware, but you will have to complete the free registration process in case you want to use it for an unlimited period of time and be eligible for free updates. You can use it unregistered during the trial period.

The program's exquisite interface makes it extremely easy to use. The different Windows sections appear as tabs on top of the window or you can access them using the list under the 'Introduction' tab. Using this program you can manage programs which start with windows (autostart entries), Windows Services, installed software and Internet Explorer Plugins (browser helper objects).

You can add or delete programs which start with Windows and run in the background in order to free memory. You can start, activate and deactivate Windows services, modify or delete installed software registry entries.

It is best if you read the program's 'Help' section if you are an unexperienced user and want to change or delete registry entries. For example, in case you remove entries in the 'Software' section, this doesn't uninstall the program; it will only remove the registry entry and the entry under the 'Add and Remove Programs' in the Control Panel. whenever an item is deleted, the program will automatically perform a backup so that you can undo the action.

Pluses:

Drawbacks / flaws: You cannot manage other browser add-ons such as ActiveX controls or browser extensions. You can't enable or disable add-ons, you can only remove them. The list of services is incomplete and the services have no description. No access to 'WIN.INI' or 'BOOT.INI' files.

In conclusion: In my opinion, this program is just another frontend for the 'msconfig' command. A nice interface, but not so many options.

version reviewed: 2