Microsoft already has its own CCleaner . It’s called PC Manager for Windows and it’s in beta. If you want to know better everything that this tool can do for you, keep reading. We tell you everything in this complete guide.
Index of contents
- How to download and install Microsoft PC Manager
- How to use PC Manager on your Windows 11 computer
- Statistics reading
- quick cleaner
- Additional features for performance
- Security tools included in PC Manager for Windows
- Is PC Manager recommended for Windows?
How to download and install Microsoft PC Manager
How could it be otherwise, the first thing you should do to start using PC Manager is to download it from its website. Open your browser and enter the following URL:
- https://pcmanager.microsoft.com/
It is good to remember that this application is still in an early stage of development . In fact, as you browse through its website and installer, you will see messages that indicate this. We suspect that something similar is happening with its official site, which apparently is still not well finished and does not adapt well to our browser window. With a bit of skill, click Download Free .
We have been a little surprised that the screenshots on this site appear in Chinese , something that also happens when you open the app and grant the execute permission. Despite this, reviewing the certificates, everything seems to be in order. The installation is really simple and it is enough to follow the steps of the wizard.
As the installation progresses, we realize that this is really a beta. Text appears pixelated and we feel like we’ve downloaded one of those disreputable cleanup tools. But no, it is a program released by Microsoft.
The last step of the installer is to click on the Launch Now button . PC Manager will run on your computer.
How to use PC Manager on your Windows 11 computer
Our tests have been carried out from a Windows 11 computer . All in all, you should know that this app can technically be installed on Windows 10 as well . With PC Manager for Windows running on your computer, it’s time to test its capabilities. What can this tool do for you? Let’s see.
Statistics reading
Quickly, it is noticeable that PC Manager for Windows is displayed on top of other applications indefinitely. That is, when you click on its icon located in the system tray, it appears on the screen and does not disappear until you click on the close button. We assume that this is used to be able to visualize the two statistics in real time that it offers. Or is it a bug that they will fix as the app gets updated.
On the one hand, it includes a viewer with the percentage of RAM used . Also, next to this indicator, there is another one for temporary system files.
If you click on them, you will see that nothing happens. Both are informative elements, which do not act as a link to any function.
quick cleaner
The Boost button that appears next to the RAM memory and temporary files indicators is for a quick cleanup. The truth is that, as soon as you open the application, we have managed to reduce the use of RAM (from more than 60% to 53%, approximately) and delete up to 800 MB of temporary files. The truth is that, to have done it with a single click, it is not bad at all.
Additional features for performance
The rest of the functions offered by PC Manager for Windows are as follows:
- Health check. This is a device health checker. Evaluates if there are temporary files that can be deleted and suggests disabling startup applications. But, be very careful. The Reset default browser to Edge option resets Microsoft Edge as the default browser. We are not sure that this parameter has to do strictly with the health of the PC.
- StorageManager. It comes with a tool for deep cleaning, a large file locator, and shortcuts to storage sensor settings and installed apps .
- Process management. This is a simple process manager. It’s not like the Windows 11 task manager , which shows all active executions. Rather, it only offers a list of applications opened by the user that can be stopped without risk of compromising the operating system. In our case, Google Chrome, Todoist, Google Drive and some other program appeared here. Next to each one, there is an indicator of RAM memory used by each application.
- Startupapps. Section from which you can manage startup applications in Windows 11 .
You will find the previous entries in the Cleanup section . But, if you look closely, at the bottom right there is another section called Security . What will you find in it?
Security tools included in PC Manager for Windows
In the security zone of PC Manager for Windows , the following utilities are integrated:
- Quick scan button. It is used to quickly scan your computer for security issues. Just click the Scan button to get started. The sections you search include some interesting ones, such as browser extensions (we assume only in Edge), the most frequent applications or background services. When it is finished, you will receive a notification from Microsoft Defender, which is actually in charge of the entire process.
- Windows Update. It allows you to see pending updates and install them without going to the system configuration.
- Browser Protection. A useful tool to change the default browser in Windows 11. In case you were wondering, yes, all the browsers installed on the computer appear. That is, it is not only used to reset Edge as the default browser. Additionally, it includes a blocker so that no malicious application changes this value.
- Pop up management. Finally, PC Manager for Windows has a pop-up blocker for applications. When we activated it, we received a message confirming that no software installed on our computer was compatible.
Is PC Manager recommended for Windows?
PC Manager for Windows has some interesting tools. From our point of view, the fast optimizer that frees up RAM memory and removes temporary files is very useful. Sometimes it has allowed us to have up to 13% more free RAM on the computer.
On the contrary, the rest of the options, such as managing startup applications or updating the system, are nothing more than shortcuts to tools that are already present in the system . Obviously, it is a utility in beta phase that still has a long way to go.
And you, will you install PC Manager for Windows on your computer? Leave us your opinion in the comments and participate in our community.
