• Without proper system maintenance your personal computer may begin to run slow, get sluggish or stop working. Using the best system utilities to manage the operating system and optimize performance lets you avoid those hair-pulling worries. These utility programs let you edit and streamline the Windows Registry, manage the start-up applications, organize the desktop better and tweak other computer settings.
  
  

SystemSuite Professional

• Use SystemSuite Professional by Avanquest Software if you want an all-in-one PC bundle that gives you security protection and tune-up enhancements and can repair system problems. With this software package you also receive one year of anti-virus and anti-spyware alert updates, giving you greater protection against malicious files. One of the best features is one-step tune-up wizard for easy maintenance. Most importantly, SystemSuite helps you eliminate PC crashes, freezes and slowdowns. The program is not free, however, the company gives you a 60-day money back guarantee.
  
  

Registry Mechanic

• Download Registry Mechanic if you need a top-notch Windows Registry editing and optimization program. The program works on Windows XP, Vista and 7. This system utility software is designed to perform quick and deep scans to find troublesome Registry entries. Some of these defects, which the program will fix, include references to uninstalled applications, broken shortcuts, missing configuration files and much more. The program is ranked No. 10 on CNET's System Utilities list. You can repair up to six sections for free; after that you will have to buy Registry Mechanic for full use.
  
  

Smart Defrag

• Download and install Smart Defrag if you want a free program that goes beyond the Windows built-in defragmentation feature. This tiny program eats up little system memory and offers you a quick scan and analysis of your computer hard drives. The added benefit of using this utility over the Windows Disk Defragmenter is that Smart Defrag boasts it continually defrags the files you use most. It does this without draining your system of memory or resources. Otherwise, the standalone application provides you a simple and streamlined user interface.