Software can’t solve obsolescence – if your computer is struggling to meet the system requirements for your OS or apps that need more RAM or the addition of an SSD – but if the slowdown is software-related, it can really help.
It’s worth noting that you can do much of what these apps do yourself using Windows’ built-in system maintenance tools, but that’s time consuming; what’s really being sold here is convenience.

The free edition is excellent, but the premium version is well worth considering if you find yourself using it regularly. It also includes a file recovery tool.

Whichever edition you choose, the interface is well designed, easy to use and unlikely to frighten even the newest PC user. Like most of the tools here, it cleans up files and folders you don’t need, neatens up the Windows registry and corrects errors on your hard drive – all via a simple, slick dashboard.

There’s a paid-for version that adds real time protection and cleanup scheduling, but the free version covers the important stuff such as removing temporary files, getting rid of browser caches, removing unwanted cookies while keeping the useful ones and so on.

If your PC just feels sluggish then this is the app to try first. It doesn’t have all the advanced features of apps like System Mechanic, but the stuff it does clear is famous for slowing down PCs.

If you tend to the latter then then this free app is well worth a look. It analyses your system, shows you the apps it thinks you should get rid of – based not just on its developers’ opinions but on other users’ feedback – and then removes the ones you choose. It’s so focused on cleaning PCs, it doesn’t even install itself.

It’s available for Windows 7, 8 and 10, and while the differences won’t make you jump up and down in astonishment – for most people the results will mean slightly smoother visuals rather than astonishing performance improvements – it does automate the fiddly process of turning off unnecessary software and services when it’s time to play.