Microsoft Made Its Own CCleaner
Summary
TLDRMicrosoft's PC Manager, released to all Windows users, aims to be a one-stop solution for PC maintenance, similar to CCleaner. It offers features like PC boost, which clears temporary files and terminates unnecessary processes, and a deep cleanup function to remove various types of unneeded files. The app also includes health check, startup program management, virus scanning, and system updates. While many of these tasks can be done through Windows' own tools, PC Manager simplifies the process, potentially helping novice users. However, concerns remain about Microsoft pushing its own services and the app's real motivations, as seen in earlier versions that prompted system repair for non-Bing search engines.
Takeaways
- 🚫 Microsoft has released its own PC cleaning utility called PC Manager, which is an alternative to CA Cleaner.
- 🛠️ PC Manager features a 'PC Boost' function that clears temporary files and terminates unnecessary processes to free up RAM.
- 🔧 There's a 'Smart Boost' option that automates the cleaning process when RAM usage or disk usage reaches certain thresholds.
- 🧹 A 'Deep Cleanup' function allows users to select and delete different types of unnecessary files, including cached data from non-Microsoft programs.
- 🔄 'Health Check' helps manage startup programs and clear space, while also providing options to terminate running programs.
- 🛡️ The 'Protection' tab offers specific options for virus scanning, system updates, controlling the default browser, and pop-up blocking.
- 🗂️ The 'Storage' tab helps identify and manage large files and duplicates, as well as providing access to the Storage Sense feature.
- 🔗 The 'Apps' section replicates functionality from the home menu and includes links to the Microsoft Store and Settings app.
- 📚 'Toolbox' provides shortcuts to programs like Notepad and Calculator, and encourages the use of Microsoft web tools like Bing Translator.
- 🎮 There have been issues with the 'Quick Access Toolbar' when playing full-screen games, as it tends to stay in the foreground.
- 🤔 While many of PC Manager's features can be found in Windows Task Manager or Settings, it aims to make these settings more accessible for novice users.
Q & A
Why should users consider stopping the use of CCleaner as suggested in a previous video?
-The video suggests stopping the use of CCleaner due to potential risks and downsides, though it does not specify what those risks are in the provided transcript.
What is Microsoft's PC Manager and how does it relate to CCleaner?
-PC Manager is Microsoft's own app that serves as an alternative to CCleaner and other PC cleaning utilities. It has features like PC boost, deep cleanup, and health check to optimize system performance and manage startup programs.
When was PC Manager first introduced and when was it released for all Windows users?
-PC Manager has been around since 2022, but it was only recently released for all Windows users, as per the transcript.
What are the main features of PC Manager's 'PC Boost'?
-PC Boost in PC Manager clears up space used by temporary files and terminates unnecessary processes to free up part of your RAM.
Can PC Manager perform automatic cleanups?
-Yes, PC Manager has a 'Smart Boost' feature that can automatically perform cleanup functions once your overall RAM usage or disk usage from temporary files reaches certain thresholds.
What is the purpose of the 'Deep Cleanup' function in PC Manager?
-The 'Deep Cleanup' function in PC Manager allows users to select and delete different kinds of unnecessary files, including cached data from non-Microsoft programs.
How does PC Manager assist with startup programs and running programs?
-PC Manager provides an easy way to manage startup programs and lets users see running programs, terminate them, and manage a more granular startup programs menu.
What specific options does the 'Protection' tab in PC Manager offer?
-The 'Protection' tab in PC Manager offers options for virus scanning, system updates, controlling the default browser and apps, pop-up blocking for certain applications, and taskbar repair.
What does the 'Storage' tab in PC Manager allow users to do?
-The 'Storage' tab lets users quickly display all large files on the system, set by default to mean anything larger than 10 megabytes, and purge unwanted files. It also provides functionality for duplicate files.
What is the purpose of the 'Apps' section in PC Manager?
-The 'Apps' section in PC Manager copies the functionality from the home menu and adds a couple of links to the Microsoft Store and the settings app.
What issues were there with the 'Quick Access Toolbar' in PC Manager during full-screen gaming?
-The 'Quick Access Toolbar' in PC Manager had issues staying in the foreground while playing full-screen games, which could be distracting or problematic for users.
What is the main criticism of PC Manager in terms of its functionality?
-The main criticism is that many of the tasks PC Manager performs can already be easily accomplished in either Task Manager or the Settings app, making it somewhat redundant.
Who is the target audience for PC Manager according to Microsoft's original description?
-Microsoft originally described PC Manager as a solution based on user pain points, aiming to help less experienced users who want a quick way to fix a sluggish PC or one running out of storage space.
What concerns were raised regarding PC Manager's earlier versions in relation to user control?
-Earlier versions of PC Manager were criticized for suggesting that a system needed repair when a user had a search engine other than Bing set as the default, raising concerns about Microsoft pushing its own services and reducing user control.
Would PC Manager be recommended for intermediate to advanced users?
-According to the transcript, PC Manager might not be very useful for intermediate to advanced users, as it largely replicates existing functionality and does not provide advanced diagnostic features.
What is the potential upside of using PC Manager mentioned in the video?
-One potential upside of using PC Manager is that it might reduce the number of questions a 'family IT person' has to field, making it a simpler solution for basic PC maintenance.
Outlines
🧹 Introduction to Microsoft's PC Manager
This paragraph introduces Microsoft's PC Manager, an application designed to replace third-party cleaning utilities like CCleaner. PC Manager, which has been available since 2022 but was recently released to all Windows users, offers a suite of features aimed at optimizing PC performance. The primary feature is 'PC Boost,' which clears temporary files and terminates unnecessary processes to free up RAM. There's also a 'Smart Boost' for automated optimization based on RAM usage thresholds. Additional features include a 'Deep Cleanup' function for deleting various unnecessary files, a 'Health Check' for managing startup programs, and options for virus scanning, system updates, and controlling default browser settings. The 'Storage' tab allows users to view and manage large files and duplicates, while 'Apps' replicates some home menu functions and promotes Microsoft Store and web tools. The 'Toolbox' provides shortcuts to common programs and features. Despite some overlap with existing Windows functionality, PC Manager aims to make these settings more accessible, particularly for novice users.
🤔 Evaluating the Utility of PC Manager
The second paragraph discusses the practical utility of PC Manager, comparing it to CCleaner and other similar tools. While PC Manager doesn't carry the same risks as CCleaner, such as the potential for breaking the system through registry cleanup, it doesn't offer significant advantages for intermediate to advanced users. The paragraph suggests that PC Manager's ease of use could be beneficial for less experienced users who might find the full versions of Windows tools overwhelming. It also touches on the cynical view that Microsoft may be trying to push its own services and exert more control over user customization. The paragraph mentions past controversies with PC Manager, such as promoting Bing as the default search engine and the 'Taskbar Repair' feature, which could be seen as an attempt to limit customization. The video concludes with a recommendation that PC Manager might be useful for reducing support queries for those who are the go-to tech person in their family, and encourages viewers to like, dislike, and subscribe for more tech-related content.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡PC Manager
💡CCleaner
💡System Optimization
💡RAM Usage
💡Startup Programs
💡Health Check
💡Taskbar Extensions
💡Storage Management
💡Microsoft Services
💡User Experience
💡System Repair
Highlights
Microsoft has released its own PC cleaning utility called PC Manager.
PC Manager is designed to be a multifunctional program.
It features a 'PC Boost' to clear temporary files and free up RAM.
A 'Smart Boost' function can automate these processes based on RAM usage thresholds.
The 'Deep Cleanup' allows users to delete various unnecessary files, including cached data.
Health Check helps manage startup programs and clear space.
Users can view and terminate running programs from the interface.
The 'Protection' tab offers virus scanning and system update options.
It also controls the default browser and pop-up blocking for applications.
The 'Storage' tab displays large files and offers duplicate file scanning.
The 'Apps' section replicates home menu functionality with additional Microsoft Store links.
The 'Toolbox' provides shortcuts to programs and encourages the use of Microsoft web tools.
PC Manager has a 'Quick Access Toolbar' with a shortcut to the PC Boost function.
There were issues with the toolbar appearing in the foreground during full-screen games.
Many tasks in PC Manager can already be done in Windows Task Manager or Settings.
PC Manager aims to make settings more accessible for novice users.
Microsoft described PC Manager as a one-stop problem-solving solution based on user pain points.
Previous versions of PC Manager were criticized for promoting Bing as the default search engine.
The 'Taskbar Repair' feature can be seen as an attempt to limit customizations.
PC Manager may not be as risky as CCleaner in terms of system stability.
It could be useful for intermediate to advanced users for certain tasks, despite its limitations.
The video suggests that PC Manager might reduce the number of tech support questions for family tech helpers.
Transcripts
we did a video a while back on why you
should probably stop using CA cleaner
and that's advice that we stand by but
did you know that now Microsoft has
widely distributed its own app simply
called PC manager and no this isn't a
soccer coach who's very concerned about
not offending anyone during press
interviews if I speak I am in in big
trouble PC manager is Microsoft's answer
to ca cleaner and other PC cleaning
utilities and although it's actually
been around since 2022 it was just
recently released for all windows users
so what are the main features and would
we recommend trying it out PC manager
attempts to be a many things in one type
of program the most prominently
displayed feature is PC boost which
clears up space used by temporary files
and terminates some unnecessary
processes to free up part of your RAM
there's also a smart boost feature you
can set that performs these functions
automatically once your overall RAM
usage or dis usage from temporary files
hit certain thresholds speaking of
freeing up space there's also a deep
cleanup function that lets you drill
down a bit more and choose different
kinds of unnecessary files to delete
including cached data from non-microsoft
programs you also get health check
another easy way to clear space and
manage your startup programs in case
unwanted crap keeps popping up when you
boot up your PC and another option that
lets you see running programs and easily
terminate them as well as a more
granular startup programs menu over on
the left side you'll see a protection
tab that gives you more specific options
for virus scanning system updates
controlling your default browser and
apps pop-up blocking for certain
applications and something called
taskbar repair which really just
disables any thirdparty taskbar
extensions you might have installed and
gives you options to reenable some
default Windows features you may have
turned off such as the search box the
storage tab lets you quickly display all
large files on your system set by
default to mean anything larger than 10
megabytes and Purge anything you don't
want while also providing similar
functionality for duplicate files there
are also shortcuts to your downloads
into the storage sense feature which
automatically deletes temporary files
apps basically just copies the same
functionality from the home menu and
adds a couple of links to the Microsoft
store and the settings app and toolbox
displays shortcuts to certain programs
like notepad and calculator and
annoyingly tries to encourage you to use
Microsoft web tools like Bing Translator
there's also an option for a quick
access toolbar that replicates his
functionality in a smaller window while
also providing a shortcut to that PC
boost function we mentioned earlier but
we actually had issues with it on our
own end when playing full screen games
as the system kept trying to keep that
toolbar in the foreground now are you
noticing a pattern here if not we'll
tell you what it is right after we thank
MSI for sponsoring this video hey you
know what would step up your gaming
sessions and look great doing it the MSI
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RTX 490 it's a Powerhouse of a machine
and the MSI Maestro chassis ties
everything together with a one piece
270° tempered glass panel that's nice
check out the MSI Vision Elite RS at the
link in the description now if you were
to ask as me can't you do most of this
stuff elsewhere in Windows
already I would say yes you're
absolutely right many of the tasks we
just discussed can be easily
accomplished in either task manager or
the settings app but we're not trying to
say PC manager is completely useless as
making these settings more easily
accessible especially large and
duplicate file scanners could be more
helpful for novice users who could be
quickly overwhelmed by all the options
present in the full fat versions of
those programs and indeed Microsoft
originally described this app as based
on user pain points and a One-Stop
problemsolving solution so it sounds
like they were fully aware that it
largely replicates functionality but
that the point was to lend a hand to
less experienced users who just want to
way to try and quickly fix a sluggish PC
or one that's running out of storage
space of course there's a more cynical
take that Microsoft is trying to push
its own services and take more control
out of the hands of users earlier
versions of the PC manager app came
under Fire for saying that your system
needed repair when you had a search
engine other than Bing set as your
default and while it appears that this
has been removed from the current
version it makes you wonder what
Microsoft's real motivation for creating
this app was you could also look at the
taskbar repair feature as another way
for Microsoft to try and stop you from
making too many customizations to your
PC although you could ostensively use it
to try and remove a thirdparty taskbar
widget you installed accidentally we all
make mistakes so would we recommend
actually using PC manager we will say it
doesn't seem to have the same downside
of C cleaner in that there's less risk
of accidentally breaking something as PC
manager doesn't do crap like cleanup
registry entries which have no
detrimental effect on your system it
does also make a couple of tasks a bit
easier as we previously discussed but
overall we don't think it'll be all that
useful for intermediate to Advanced
users especially as features like health
check don't tell you if something is
actually wrong with your computer but
one big upside it might reduce the
number of questions you have to field if
you're the family it person thanks for
watching the video guys like it if you
like it dislike it if you disliked it
check out our other video on C cleaner
comment with video suggestions and don't
forget to subscribe and follow Tech
quicki we talk about this kind of stuff
all the time okay
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