utilities

Browsing and installing all of the free software we offer at Download.com can potentially bog down your computer over time. It can be hard to resist installing something just because it is new, looks useful, or simply, is free. It is a good idea to do a house cleanup and getting rid of junk that you don't need once in a while to improve the performance of your computer. But how do you know what to remove?

It can be easy to forget which program does what and why you have it installed, making PC cleanup a nightmare. … Read more

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which I answer Mac-related questions e-mailed in by our readers.

This week, readers wrote in with questions on how to read older AppleWorks documents in newer versions of OS X, how to get files to all open in a specific application, recovering a Mac Mini's files from a system that will not boot, and whether or not cleaning utilities are useful. I welcome views from readers, so if you have any suggestions or alternative approaches to these problems, please post them in the comments!

Question: Managing old AppleWorks documents MacFixIt reader Don asks:… Read more

When you install memory in most Mac systems, provided everything went well, the computer will simply boot with a new memory capacity. However, on the Mac Pro you might see a tool called Apple Memory Utility launch to indicate a new memory configuration has been detected.

This tool should show only once and state whether or not the installed memory is in the recommended slot configuration for optimal performance. In some cases, however, this tool may load every time you boot the system after upgrading. While it can be dismissed by pressing the OK button, having it load each time … Read more

For most computer users, the idea of having malware or adware creeping onto your machine has become an accepted fate that comes with being online. More-tech-savvy users can manage to stay clean for a while but, like the flu, everybody gets it eventually. Whether it was through a questionable e-mail sent by a friend or from a moment of weakness when you clicked on that video link promising playful kittens, suddenly you find your beloved computer starting to behave strangely. It might be a quick process; it might not happen right away, but you will know right away something is … Read more

Uber is headed toward another obstacle from city officials, and this time it's in Denver, Colo.

The state's Public Utilities Commission is proposing changes to the rules that regulate motor vehicle transportation, which could essentially shut UberDenver down.

The transportation startup announced today that it's going to fight to keep its service in the state. Uber has created a petition for Colorado residents to sign in support of Uber. The company is also urging locals to e-mail the state's governor, John Hickenlooper, and the chairman and director of the Public Utilities Commission.

"Since our launch … Read more

Feeling the storage crunch on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad? A free utility may be able to help.

Last summer, CNET's Matthew Elliott took iMobie's PhoneClean for a test drive. The utility provides a "digital colonic" (Matt's words), cleansing any iOS device of useless and unnecessary files that might be consuming valuable space.

However, Matt wasn't willing to subject his iPhone 4S to PhoneClean's mysterious ministrations, only his iPad.

Wuss.

As the braver, dumber, blogger, I decided to let the newly updated PhoneClean 2.0 do its thing on my iPhone 4S. … Read more

Looking at multiple image files at once can tax your system's resources and be downright confusing. Image to PDF converter will turn a batch of image files into a scrollable PDF so you can see them all in one window. It converts quickly, but its boring layout and limited features will make you wonder if it was really worth downloading.

This software organizes the pictures you add in a spreadsheet for easy sorting, but it's definitely an eyesore. The overly simplistic interface makes the program's lack of features painfully obvious too. When you're adding 10 or … Read more

As is the case with any machine, computers require regular maintenance to keep them running their best. Tuneup Utilities 2013 is a suite of tools for fixing, tidying, and optimizing your computer. With a straightforward interface and plenty of options, it's worth checking out if you're not sure how to keep your machine in top condition.

Tuneup Utilities 2013 has a 1-Click Maintenance tool for users who want to get everything taken care of at once, as well as several other options that give you more control over what the program does. Tuneup Utilities started by performing an … Read more

With the integration of touch technology into Windows, you might have expected Microsoft to have basic gesture commands built into its native video players, especially when touting the surface tablet. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Not to worry, however, as Invisible Controls Video Player is here to save the day!

Supporting most major file formats, Invisible Control lets you configure commands to the action of your choice. This will allow you to easily control your device, including rewinding, fast forwarding, adjusting the volume, or jumping to the next video on the playlist. The average user probably wouldn't find … Read more