There’s a new toy from Microsoft called PC Manager, an app that Windows 11 users (or indeed Windows 10 folks) can grab from the Microsoft Store.
PC Boost is the acceleration (Image credit: Microsoft)
PC Manager detected through Windows Latest and the tech site explains that it was first introduced in January 2024, but as of this month it has been rolled out more widely in other regions, including the US. In fact, it’s been in testing for a year or more, according to online reports. )
This app has come from the Microsoft China division – the initial version was in Mandarin as a result – and indeed the product blurb on the Microsoft Store does sound like a translation. For example, it talks about PC Manager being ‘pure without disturbance’ (presumably meaning streamlined).
The product description says:
“Based on users’ disorders, [Microsoft PC Manager] provides a comprehensive solution to solve computer problems, solving disorders such as malicious formula tampering, inadequate computer space, formula lag, and Exaggerated pop-up ads, thus creating a local Windows Formula experience for users.
Essentially, this is Microsoft’s edition of a CCleaner-style application and, based on the aforementioned reports and description, it’s most commonly about integrating existing Windows capability into a central location, with a few extra bits added as a clever measure.
For example, defenses against malicious tampering and antivirus features are built into Microsoft Defender (the built-in antivirus for Windows 11) only.
PC Manager also offers formula cleanup (disk cleanup, etc. ) and storage and memory freeing (PC Boost) capabilities, as well as troubleshooting scans and more.
It’s interesting to see the mention of getting rid of excessive pop-up ads (in the quote) which is more than a touch ironic seeing as Microsoft is very much heading down the direction of more adverts in Windows. (One of the latest initiatives, as spotted in testing, is ads for Copilot Pro in the Home page of the Settings app).
We’re told this feature is called Pop-up Management and it reduces harassment and pop-up classified ads in apps. We wonder if this includes the massive three-panel factor for upgrading to Windows 11 that was recently imposed (again) on Windows 10 users, following the most recent cumulative update (the January Preview).
Let’s rush to install PC Manager now? Not likely. We’ll go ahead and troubleshoot our PCs ourselves, but that said, for more novice Windows users, it’s a convenient enough app to pack a ton of features into one convenient hub.
To be fair to Microsoft, the reviews seem generally positive, with the former (at the time of writing) noting that the app is easy to use and streamlined, just as the propaganda claims. Therefore, it could be valuable for the less tech-savvy.
In other recent Windows 11 news, Microsoft would possibly be over NVIDIA’s shoulder, as Team Green may soon have another version of Auto HDR for PC gaming, bigger than the Redmond-based company’s own efforts. We’ll see. . . .
Darren has been writing for magazines and internet sites in the tech world for about 30 years, adding TechRadar, PC Gamer, Eurogamer, Computeractive and many more. He worked on his first magazine (PC Home) long before Google and most of the rest. In his spare time, he can be discovered playing, going to the gym, and writing books (his first novel, “I Know What You Did at the Last Supper,” was published through Hachette UK in 2013).
Related news
© 1999-2024 Tweak Town Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. TweakTown® and its are registered trademarks.