A decent system cleaner and optimizer can make a big difference in your PC’s performance by tossing out junk files and tightening the Registry. A really good tool would also help you tune and tweak your system by disabling unnecessary features and settings. Ashampoo’s WinOptimizer Free is one of the best such tools we’ve tried.

We started WinOptimizer with a Full Scan, which completed quickly. WinOptimizer made 15 recommendations over five categories, including three unnecessary startup entries in the StartUp-Tuner, seven superfluous system settings in the Tweaking tool, and 97MB of junk files flagged by the Drive Cleaner (a lot of space, even with today’s drives). We reviewed each recommendation, which WinOptimizer explains in detail under each category, with the opportunity to deselect any item from the cleaning and optimizing process. We saw no red flags in WinOptimizer’s selections, so we clicked Start Optimization. WinOptimizer tracked each process and marked its completion with a green check mark; the whole process took less than a minute. Having run the Full Scan and Optimization, we could run the Quick Scan for fast, regular touch-ups. But we could also run any of WinOptimizer’s tools individually from the Modules tab, which groups the program’s capabilities by need, such as Clean up system, Optimize performance, and Tune system settings. WinOptimizer’s Backup feature lets you undo any critical changes that might affect your system’s stability or security. The Favorites tab lets you select the tools you run most often for quick access. WinOptimizer’s Scheduled Tasks tool programs the One-Click Optimizer and Hard Disk Defragmenter to run on a regular basis. An extensive Help file is available, too.

We’ve tried a lot of tools like Ashampoo WinOptimizer Free, and it stands among the best of them, not just because its cleaning tools and system tweaks proved safe and effective, but also because of the clear and extensive explanations the software offers at various steps. We were impressed with WinOptimizer’s ability to wring further performance-enhancing tweaks from our test system. It’s good to understand changes to your system before you make them, and Ashampoo WinOptimizer Free excels at providing them. Definitely recommended.

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Ashampoo Photo Commander 12 offers good value as an all-in-one photo editor and manager for Windows. It can repair, resize, and optimize digital snapshots, add effects, create albums and slideshows, organize and share images and folders, and a lot more. Photo Commander 12 is more affordable than many of the big-name image editors it competes with.

Pros

Extended trial option: You can try Ashampoo Photo Commander 12 for free for 10 days. It’s also free to extend the trial period for 30 days, with support.

Setup: We imported bookmarks, backups, albums, and more with help from Photo Commander 12’s thorough setup wizards, user guides, and tutorials.

Different works: Photo Commander’s three-part interface shows a tree view in the Folder Area, folders and thumbnails in the Content Area, and a Preview Area. It also has useful elements like semitransparent folders, app-like controls, and a slider for resizing thumbnails.

Cons

Ad interruptions: Although “No, thank you” is selected by default, Photo Commander’s installer hung when offering additional downloads. We had to restart the installation, which worked on the second pass. But premium software shouldn’t freeze on installation because of an ad.

Busy layout: Photo Commander 12 packs a lot into its layout, and it’s a bit overwhelming at first, though the program’s different way of doing things makes sense with practice.

Bottom Line

Ashampoo Photo Commander 12 does a lot and works well for a reasonable sum, especially compared to some better-known image editors. While it may not challenge Photoshop as a pro graphics solution, it’s as much as most users could ask for or need in a photo suite.

Editors’ note: This is a review of the full version of Ashampoo Photo Commander 12. The trial version is limited to 40 days.

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Ashampoo Snap lets users take screenshots of Web pages, specific selections, or even entire desktops using its simple capture bar. Once captures are created, you can make changes such as adding elements, resizing, or rotating through an image editor. Snap 6 also allows for video and audio recording (via microphone), making production of video screencasts a cinch. Time-lapse video and interval snapshot features are other useful tools in creating video tutorials.

The latest edition of Ashampoo Snap, version 6, has added a multitude of features that have flesh out the screenshot program, but there are still some unaddressed issues from the last version–the overabundant pop-ups are still too much. Meant to “guide” new users, they end up feeling like a forced tutorial, especially if you already know what you are doing. For first-time users, the huge sets of instruction will no doubt be overwhelming.

There are also several positive changes: the capture bar can now be placed at a less obtrusive Top-Right position of the screen to prevent accidental captures; the new Color Picker feature is a welcome addition for image editors–you can now select color on your screenshot or anywhere on you desktop for editing or export to use on other editors like Adobe Photoshop; and MultiShot lets you take multiple screen caps in a row before editing–a great feature if you need to take shots of different windows.

The addition of instant uploading onto YouTube/Facebook and email is a boon to users working heavily with social media. Screenshots and videos can be directly uploaded to said sharing sites with a button click. However, be warned that there is no confirmation after the Share button is clicked, and the Save-to-File icon is right next to the Facebook/Youtube icon. One click that misses by a few inches could result in possibly embarrassing oversharing.

Ashampoo Snap 6 is available as 10-day trial and can be bumped to 40 days if you request a promotional code. The full version sells for $19.99. We recommend it to any users with who want to create and customize images and videos from their desktop.

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Ashampoo HDD Control 3 keeps tabs on your computer’s hard drive, including solid-state drives, logical drives, and removable and network drives. It cleans and defragments drives, erases online tracks, securely deletes files, and even undeletes some files. It monitors power-on count, disk temperature, and other conditions and issues alerts at specified thresholds. It’s compatible with S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology), Automatic Acoustic Management, and Advanced Power Management.

Pros

Tests: HDD Control 3 can run benchmarking tests, regular and extended S.M.A.R.T. tests, and disk surface tests.

SSD wizard: HDD Control 3’s SSD optimization wizard tweaks everything from TRIM to disabling boot-time defragmentation.

Duplicate finder: The built-in Duplicate Finder is a great addition. The Disk Space Explorer, File Wiper, and Undeleter also earn their keep.

Cons

Layout options: The disk tabs are satisfactory, but we’d like the option of a more traditional list view, especially in shareware.

Not a disk or partition manager: While HDD Control 3 can analyze and maintain your disks, it isn’t a partition manager or a total disk backup solution — nor does it pretend to be.

Bottom Line

Ashampoo’s HDD Control 3 doesn’t reformat disks or move partitions, but it provides decent protection. We’d like to see customizable views, but that’s a minor point. HDD Control 3 earns it keep by helping prevent catastrophic (and far more expensive) disk failure and data loss.

Editors’ note: This is a review of the full version of Ashampoo HDD Control 3. The trial version is limited to 10 days.

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From burning music and images to copying data and creating cover art, Ashampo Burning Studio 15 manages to offer enough features and options to make more experienced users happy while keeping it all accessible.

Pros

Clean layout: Ashampoo Burning Studio’s initial window presents the eight main options clearly under four categories, such as Burn or Design & Print. There are also links to buy the software or see others by the same publisher under Service. A new window opens for each of the options, and they all have the same basic file menu at the top, over the main window.

Flexible process: For the most part, novice users will need to make few if any changes to the default settings for projects like ripping a music CD. Ashampoo Burning Studio uses a wizard-like approach, so you aren’t overwhelmed with choices in multistep processes. Advanced settings are easily accessed, but they don’t get in the way.

Functional output files: From music files to image files, the duplicates worked just as well as the originals.

Extensive Help files: If you get stuck or don’t understand a specific feature, the Help files are well-written and very helpful.

Cons

Cross-selling: It’s a minor issue, but during the installation, you’re offered another software to check your drivers. Fortunately, the default setting is “No, thanks,” so there’s nothing you need to watch out for. And other than links to buy this and other software in the main window, there are no other product pushes.

Bottom Line

Ashampoo Burning Studio 15 gets high marks for its ease of use and features. It’s not a free application, and there are some decent freeware alternatives available, but its overall approach and flexibility make it well worth the cost.

Editors’ note: This is a review of the full version of Ashampoo Burning Studio 15. The trial version is limited to 30 days.

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Ashampoo’s all-new WinOptimizer 11 packs more tools for cleaning, optimizing, and protecting your Windows PC than its freeware competitors, including WinOptimizer Free. And it has a sophisticated yet easy-to-manage layout with support options that the free system utilities can’t match. In addition to regularly scheduled system maintenance and tweaks, WinOptimizer 11 has a One-Click Optimizer, extras like anti-spy protection, and a host of modules. Recent upgrades include Live Tuner 2.0, Game Booster, and User Rights Management.

Pros

Does it all: WinOptimizer 11 has an impressive array of tools and features — more than other software of its type. It can analyze, maintain, boost, protect, repair, and manage Windows features, system options, and programs.

SSD-friendly: WinOptimizer 11’s setup wizard asks if Windows is installed on an SSD instead of a conventional hard drive, since some disk utilities don’t apply to SSDs. It’s an important distinction that determines WinOptimizer 11’s operations.

Modules: WinOptimizer 11’s many modules cover everything from the Registry to backups to spyware. They can analyze and benchmark your system, schedule tasks, split and join files, and much more.

Cons

Freeware competition: While it’s hardly overpriced, WinOptimizer 11 faces stiff competition from some capable freeware, including a free version of itself.

Bottom Line

WinOptimizer 11 more than matches its purchase price with value and performance. Yes, free tools (or a collection of them) can do much of what it does, but not better and not as conveniently. We’ve had good experiences with Ashampoo’s system tools, both free and premium, and wouldn’t hesitate to trust WinOptimizer 11 as the cornerstone of system support, maintenance, and optimization.

Editors’ note: This is a review of the full version of Ashampoo WinOptimizer 11. The trial version is limited to 40 days.

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Ashampoo’s Photo Optimizer 6 is more powerful and efficient yet uses fewer system resources than earlier versions. An updated user interface with a side-by-side comparison window makes it easy to edit and optimize digital images. Features like One-Click Optimization, batch processing and file conversion, watermarking, red eye and other correction tools, and a bevy of filters and effects make Photo Optimizer 6 a bargain at just under $15 with an extended free trial available.

Pros

Extended free trial: You can try Ashampoo Photo Optimizer 6 for free for 10 days, but a 30-day extension is available via email.

Logical layout: Photo Optimizer 6’s updated interface has an intuitive layout dominated by a split window that displays before-and-after views of filters and effects in real time. Standouts include an Explorer-style tree view, slider resizing, and large thumbnails.

Help and Settings: Clicking a context-sensitive Help button in any window opens Photo Optimizer 6’s user manual in the relevant section. The user-configurable Service Channel lets you choose which notifications you receive, and a local database option backs up images to your disk.

Cons

Stiff competition from freeware: While Ashampoo Photo Optimizer 6 is easy to use and a bargain among premium photo editors, similar freeware rivals its features and options.

Bottom Line

With a clear, attractive layout and easy-to-use features and tools, Ashampoo Photo Optimizer 6 competes favorably with much more expensive photo software. It faces pressure from capable freeware offering similar features and performance, but a 40-day trial eases the decision.

Editors’ note: This is a review of the full version of Ashampoo Photo Optimizer 6. The trial version is limited to 40 days.

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Ashampoo Burning Studio Free is a no-nonsense performer that not only burns data, music, and video discs but also copies and rips discs, backs up and restores data, creates disc images, and erases rewritable discs. New features in version 1.14.5 include more powerful tools, multidisc file backup and restore, an integrated Audio CD ripper that creates high-quality WMA or WAV files, and verification without ejecting the disc in supported drives.

Pros

Startup splash screen: New software shouldn’t leave you guessing, and Burning Studio Free’s splash screen helped us learn about, recommend, and register the product (registration is free).

Clean and plain: Burning Studio Free’s plain Explorer-style layouts are a refreshing change from disc tools that pretend to be a recording studio console, and the program’s menu lists its features in plain language: Burn Data, Backup & Restore, Music, Movie, and so on.

Backup: Burning Studio Free can create and restore compressed, password-protected archives of your discs and data. It also creates and burns disc images from data files and stores file backups on CD, DVD, or Blu-ray discs — or to your hard drive, USB drive, or other storage device.

Cons

Not a full backup: Don’t get us wrong; Burning Studio Free’s backup feature is most welcome, but it’s not a replacement for a solution that can back up and restore your entire system or discs when (not if) catastrophe strikes.

Bottom Line

Ashampoo’s products have often impressed us with their performance — not flashy style. Burning Studio Free certainly reinforces the impression.

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We update the app regularly so we can make it better for you. Get the latest version for all of the available Ashampoo Anti-Virus features. This version includes several bug fixes and performance improvements.

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We update the app regularly so we can make it better for you. Get the latest version for all of the available Ashampoo UnInstaller 10 features. This version includes several bug fixes and performance improvements.

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