Over the years I’ve used many “computer speed up” and “registry cleaner” software packages like WiseFixer. Some of them lived up to the expectations, and some of them haven’t. Wonder where WiseFixer falls? Read on for my unrestricted, unbiased review. I’ve included in this WiseFixer review all the essential information you need to know before making a decision.

So what exactly is “WiseFixer”?

It’s a software tool, a Windows application, written with the goal of fixing errors and speeding up your PC. It does this primarily by checking the Windows registry for errors, and repairing them. Because of this, it’s part of the group of software called “registry cleaners”.

This is a review site: Click here to visit the Official WiseFixer Website

What is this “registry” thing then?

The registry is a chunk of hidden data that’s stored on your computer. It contains all the vital configuration information Windows needs for normal operation. For more on the registry, read the first article on this WiseFixer Review site, titled “Do you need a registry cleaner such as WiseFixer?”

Great. So why does the registry need “cleaning”?

Software on your PC writes to the registry all the time. Over time, junk and invalid entries accumulate. These slow down the PC because Windows takes longer to find “real” data. Further, incorrect information in the registry causes Windows errors.

Looking back and current situation

The Windows registry, as such, has been around since the release of Windows ’95. This “black box” of configuration information has been causing performance issues and problems for the PC user ever since. (Read part 1 of my WiseFixer review for a peek into the registry.)
Early registry cleaners were not very good at fixing PC errors. Using them was like running with scissors: disaster was always imminent. Those were frustrating times, and many experts kept to hand-editing the registry instead of using “registry cleaners”. I remember doing this well into the 2000’s. Other than being time-consuming, this method left me with nothing to recommend to end users.
Things have moved on since then, thankfully. These days, generally speaking, you can expect a registry cleaner to be safe. In other words, it shouldn’t break your system or cause more errors. That doesn’t mean they’re created equal, though.

Review criteria

What makes the difference then, between one and the other?
These are the main parameters I look for when checking out a PC optimizer.

-          Ease of Use

-          Speed

-          Number of REAL errors found and fixed

-          Number of problems caused, if any

-          Value: price vs. performance

How does WiseFixer measure up?

• Ease of Use
  Usage is fairly obvious. You won’t need to be a rocket scientist.

• Speed
  It’s fast, even on older computers. The videos I’ve done were made on a 4 year old laptop I rarely use anymore. Even with the video recording running in the background, it was snappy. This tool will work OK even on older computers.

• Number of REAL errors found and fixed
  Errors were fixed as expected. No issues.

• Number of errors caused
  None.

• Value: Price vs. Performance
  Considering all features, I think it’s good value even at full price. Other than fixing registry errors, it’s also capable of fixing many other errors that I didn’t even mention. If it saves you a trip to the shop it’s already worth it, isn’t it. Then there’s the 50% online discount which makes it a no-brainer. Obviously my advice is to buy online, not in a software shop. They have a deal on a 3, 5 and even 10 computer licenses.

All in all, no issues. It’s a clear pass.

What are the BAD things about WiseFixer?

• I find the wording on the Official WiseFixer Website a little confusing. You do have to download first, then scan. No biggie though; the download is easy to find.

• „Evidence” labeling is scan results could use a little explanation. Watch my second video in the article below to discover what it really is.

And how about the GOOD things about WiseFixer?

• Fast. Its speed stands out from the crowd. Installation is snappy and compact. You won’t be asking yourself “why does a registry software need such a huge amount of disk space?” I, for one, can’t help but wonder what ELSE some other software do, when taking up much larger real estate than reasonable. Spying, maybe?

• Comprehensive: It fixes registry errors, file association errors, has security features such as clearing browser cache and protecting from malicious scripts. Fixes some annoyances such as disapearing icons and such. There are so many features that I haven’t even gone into yet.

• Effective: No fuss in fixing errors. Works like a charm.

• Convenient: 50% online discount. Just download, install, purchase a license, and you’re good to go. Makes going to the shop redundant. Also comes with full 60-day money back guarantee. Which you’ll very much appreciate if you’ve ever tried to return opened software to a retail store.

Overall, what do I think?

I find that WiseFixer brings a refreshing, no-fluff no-nonsense “just get it sorted” attitude to the table. It does this without the big bundles or large price tag that come with some other offers.

Watching how WiseFixer works I’ve learned a few things myself about what to look out for when fixing the registry. (And that’s after 15+ years of experience in the field.)

If you’re currently have a slow PC, or experiencing registry errors, I definitely feel you should pick up WiseFixer and give your PC a through rinse! It may very well save you a trip to the shop.

I also recommend WiseFixer if you want to get the most out of your current PC. Having it run at optimal speed will save you time and frustration. If your PC is aging it may also allow you to put off buying a new one a bit longer.

You won’t regret trying this software out. Use download button above to get a free scan & health report on your PC.

Hope my review page has helped you,

Adam

If a picture tells a thousand words, what about a video?

To get to the point quickly, and avoid misunderstandings, I’ve made two quick screen capture videos:

1. How to Download, Install, and Run WiseFixer

2 minute video shows how. Don’t expect anything groundbreaking, it’s fairly standard fare. The download button has a funny name though. Watch to find out. It’s worth a mention that WiseFixer.exe, the actual download package is only 3,6 megabytes. A quick download even on a slow internet connection.

If you’re experienced with downloading and installing applications on your PC you can safely skip this one.

2. How to Scan Your PC for Errors and Understanding Results

Decoding “techie-speak” can be daunting sometimes, so I’ve added a bit of an explanation on what the search result categories mean. What to look out for, and what not to worry about. Watch and take notes. There’s also a bit at the end on how to get WiseFixer license at 50% discount.

Now that we’ve looked at the nuts and bolts it’s time summarize with a full review post. Coming soon!

• slow reaction to clicks
• unexplained delays
• jerky video playback
• abysmal game performance
• busy cursor all the time
• excessive hard disk activity

Surveys show as little as a 2 second delay upsets users.

What’s causing this?

Windows PCs do indeed get slower over time. It’s usually a mixture of ever-increasing amount installed software, more applications running concurrently, less free memory and a “dirty” registry (see explanation below). Worst case viruses and malware may be involved too.

Tips for speeding up your PC

1. Run a full scan with your antivirus software

If any issues, sort those first. Then run a registry cleaner, such as WiseFixer.exe to get more speed out of the registry. It’s important to scan for viruses and run a registry cleaner on a regular basis. Once a week, at least. (Small tip: If you have multiple computers at home or in the office, purchase the licenses for all at the same time. You’ll get a better deal. For one, WiseFixer license is discounted in bulk.)

2. Free up hard disk space

There should be at least a few gigabytes free under all circumstances, whatever the hard disk size is. Windows itself is very hard disk dependent, and “panics” if it’s running out of disk space. This means constant hard disk activity, which is not good for speed. The hard disk is the slowest part of the PC. (Well, the slowest part that’s always in use, anyway.)

3. De-fragment the hard disk

This is a way of putting things in order so Windows can find them faster. Kind of like tidying the wardrobe – you find things faster if everything’s in its set place, don’t you? Google for more info. Do this after tips 1 and 2, ideally.

4. Check resources in use

Start “Task Manager” by pressing Ctrl, Alt and Del at the same time. Check the entries under “Applications” and see if there’s anything you can close. Also check if there’s anything you don’t recognize. Close them.
Check the “Performance” tab for pretty graphs. If memory and CPU usage is often close to the maximum, consider closing more Applications (and points 5-7 below).

5. Consider a “clean” re-installation of Windows.

Still slow? “Clean install” is geek lingo for putting Windows on a completely blank hard disk, while wiping all the old data and old settings. This ensures a fresh start and a new, clean registry. You’re PC will be as fast as the day you bought it (or faster, if it came with bundled software pre-installed, see below).
Ideally you want a stock Windows CD or DVD. A “restore” media from your PC’s manufacturer will often auto-install bundled software, which defeats the whole idea.
You want to back up your data beforehand, obviously. Use CDs, DVDs, thumb drives, network connection to other PC or an external hard drive.

6. Have Windows Vista? Get rid of it.

Shops have made a killing out of removing Vista.. and rightly so

Be it an upgrade to Windows 7 or a downgrade to Windows XP, you’ll be better off. Think of Vista as a unfinished version of Windows 7, or a bad joke, whichever you prefer. It’s bloated with new and unpolished features that are always on by default. A memory hog, Windows Vista is the epitome of “slow” and an epic failure of Microsoft. It’s done more to boost the Apple Mac’s user base than anything Apple CEO Steve Jobs has come up with. Both Windows XP and Windows 7 are significantly faster and will give you more life out of your current hardware.
If you have at least 2GB RAM memory and a dual core CPU, go for 7. If not, go for XP, or upgrade RAM and CPU if possible. Usually it is, even on a laptop. Consult a pro, or drop me a mail if in any doubt. (If you have a Vista PC with 1GB ram – an unworkable configuration, but a lot were sold in the early days of Vista – upgrade the memory to 2GB or more and put Windows 7 on it. It’ll work fine.)

7. The Ultimate Solution: No More Registry Repair

For your next PC, why not dispose of registry errors altogether? Get an Apple Mac running OS X, or a PC with Linux  – they use configuration files instead of a registry, eliminating the issue completely. Yes, a new system takes a while to get used to, but I firmly believe it pays off. Go for Mac over Linux if you’re not technical. (All Apple Mac computers can run Windows software so there’s an escape route.)

Do you even need one?

Let’s find out.

You may have heard the word “registry” before, maybe as part of a geek-speak assault by a PC tech. Possibly in association with a rather large bill.

Ever wondered what is this mystical part of the PC, and why would you want to “clean” it? Does it get “dirty”? Do you need a software such as WiseFixer to repair the registry at all?

The registry is just a chunk of data, really. It’s not a physical part, but a chain of information stored on the PC. What makes it special is this: it contains all the vital information Windows needs for normal operation. Various settings for software, hardware and network connections are all there. Which makes it a delicate item to fiddle with. For this reason it’s hidden from your eyes. You won’t find it under “My Computer”.

What’s the problem then? That it’s only hidden from you, but not the software on your PC. Matter of fact every application you install will add it’s own bits to the registry, increasing its size and complexity. Windows writes to the registry all the time. The bigger it is, the slower your PC will become. And it only gets bigger and bigger. Never smaller. Even if you uninstall a program the registry won’t revert to it’s previous size. It can’t, because many other changes have been made since. Uninstalling creates “holes”, leaving size the same and increasing complexity. Some software will leave “dead” references. Strange error messages may start to appear. The registry does, in fact, “get dirty”.

Uh-oh. Not good. All this results in an experience you may be familiar with: in normal use, the PC gets slower and slower over time.

It’s not the hardware’s fault. Your PC manufacturer hasn’t swindled you. It’s a Windows “feature”, there by design.

Spyware, viruses, hack tools, “implants” from malicious websites also love to target the registry. One can pretty much take over the PC once in there. (Always use an up-to-date antivirus software as first line of defense.)

The registry requires maintenance for optimum PC performance. Over the longer term, the PC’s usability is at stake.

This “cleaning” can be done manually, as I used to do it in the olden days (10+ years ago). It’s not an obvious thing, and has its pitfalls. Try this:

For Windows XP and before: Click the “Start” button. Click “Run…”. Type “regedit” in the box. Press Enter.

For Windows Vista & 7: Click the round Windows logo button that replaced the “Start” button. Type “regedit” in the search box. Press Enter. Click “Yes” on the security popup.

The Windows Registry Editor will appear.

If you like what you see, and think you can get a handle on it, dig in, by all means. Google is your friend, all the technical information is out there.

If it looks Greek, and you’d rather save time, leave it to a professional. Or, the next best thing, a software made by professionals.

Adam here.

Now testing “Wisefixer”, a new and increasingly popular PC speed-up tool & registry cleaner.

Review coming soon!