Is Your PC "Back to School" Ready?

D'IBERVILLE, Miss., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A PC can be a student's most important ally when it's time to head back to school. Whether you're sending your student to college with a brand new PC, or helping your high schooler get the most out of the "old but reliable" family machine, you need a computer that runs smoothly and efficiently, without downtime or slow-loading pages.

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Just in time for back-to-school, SlimWare Utilities (www.slimwareutilities.com) has unveiled a new version of its award-winning SlimComputer software, featuring new "browser" cleaning and management functions. SlimComputer's new browser section displays all the browsers installed on a PC, including the add-ons, plug-ins, toolbars and extensions associated with each one. In addition, the new version lets users see if malware may be lurking in their browser, as well as easily select their preferred search engine and gain back control of their home page.

"You want students to have the advantage of a fast, reliable computer," said Bob Bryant, chief technology officer at SlimWare Utilities. "You don't want a bloated machine that stalls or crashes the night before an assignment is due. SlimComputer can help keep a student's PC humming all semester."

Originally launched last fall, SlimComputer is free software that removes bloat and unneeded programs from brand-new computers. Aimed at getting computers up and running faster, SlimComputer removes the trialware, adware, toolbars, unwanted start-up entries and other unnecessary programs that come pre-installed on a new PC – and the bloatware clogging older PCs.

Here are three simple steps that Bryant said every student should take to help ensure their "back to school" PC is in tip-top shape:

1. De-Clutter it: If you're sending your student to college with a new laptop, make sure you remove the unnecessary applications that come pre-loaded, such as advertising links, trial offers, promotional software and unwanted toolbars, start-up items and shortcuts. Removing bloatware improves a PC's start-up time and overall performance.
2. Clean it: You can speed up your PC with cleaning software that removes temporary files, logs, histories and other excess data that take up space and slow down a machine. Also, a virus scan will identify malware that's lurking and compromising your machine's performance and privacy.
3. Connect it: Make sure your PC's drivers are up-to-date to ensure that your operating system and hardware are communicating properly.  The correct, most up-to-date drivers will help your peripherals – such as printers, scanners, sound cards, video cards, Bluetooth devices and other components – remain in top working condition.

Free Software for a Better-Running PC

SlimWare Utilities offers free software to keep student's PC running in top form.  

SlimComputer removes the trialware, adware, toolbars, unwanted start-up entries and other unnecessary programs that come pre-installed on brand-new PCs.

SlimCleaner, a community-powered cleaner, uses social networking and crowdsourcing to clean, repair and optimize PCs.

SlimDrivers automatically updates a PC's drivers with real-time scanning and cloud technology – making sure that an operating system and its peripherals, such as printers, sound cards, Bluetooth devices, etc., are working properly and in sync.

About SlimWare Utilities

SlimWare Utilities automates the solutions to the world's computer problems. Our free software applications, SlimCleaner, SlimComputer and SlimDrivers, use cloud technology and community feedback to clean, speed up and optimize personal computers. Headquartered near Biloxi, Mississippi, SlimWare Utilities' cloud-based, crowd-sourced software provides consumers with personalized applications developed from the community input of IT users everywhere. For more information, please visit www.slimwareutilities.com.

SOURCE SlimWare Utilities