Windows computers accumulate a wealth of system data over time—hardware specifications, software configurations, startup processes, and more. Knowing the right system information is crucial for troubleshooting, performance tuning, and security. While Windows comes with built-in tools like Task Manager and System Information (msinfo32), users can benefit from more comprehensive solutions. Glary Utilities is a standout option, offering powerful features designed to simplify and enhance system information management. This article explores five Glary Utilities features you should use for better control and insight into your Windows PC, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user.
Why Manage System Information?
Understanding your system’s details helps you resolve issues faster, optimize performance, and prevent potential failures. For IT professionals, accurate system information aids in audits and remote support. For everyday users, it leads to smarter decisions about upgrades or repairs.
Feature 1: System Information Overview
For Beginners:
The System Information module in Glary Utilities provides a snapshot of your PC’s hardware and software. It displays details like CPU, memory, motherboard, operating system version, and available disk space—all in one place.
Practical Example:
Suppose your computer starts running slowly. Open Glary Utilities, select System Information, and review your RAM and CPU usage. If you see that your RAM is nearly maxed out, you’ll know it might be time for an upgrade or to close unused applications.
For Advanced Users:
You can export this system summary as a text or HTML file, making it easier to share with technical support or to document setups for future upgrades.
Feature 2: Process Manager
For Beginners:
Many times, a sluggish computer is caused by background applications. Glary Utilities’ Process Manager gives an enhanced view over Windows Task Manager, letting you see all running processes, their resource consumption, and quickly end unresponsive tasks.
Step-by-Step:
1. Open Glary Utilities.
2. Navigate to Process Manager.
3. Sort by CPU or memory usage to identify resource hogs.
4. Right-click any suspicious process and choose “End Process” or “Search Online” to learn more about it.
For Advanced Users:
You can view additional process details, such as the file path and parent process, helping you identify malware or unnecessary startup items. This is particularly useful for troubleshooting performance or security issues.
Feature 3: Startup Manager
For Beginners:
Too many startup programs can slow down boot time. Glary Utilities’ Startup Manager simplifies the process of identifying and disabling unnecessary startup items.
How-to Guide:
1. Launch Glary Utilities and go to Startup Manager.
2. Review the list of programs set to launch at startup.
3. Uncheck or disable any you recognize as unnecessary (for example, chat apps or updaters).
4. Reboot and notice faster startup times.
For Advanced Users:
Startup Manager allows editing, delaying, or completely removing entries. You can also check scheduled tasks and application services that aren’t obvious in Windows’ own msconfig tool.
Feature 4: Disk Space Analyzer
For Beginners:
Running out of disk space leads to slowdowns and errors. The Disk Space Analyzer in Glary Utilities visually maps drive usage, making it easy to spot large files or folders.
Practical Use:
Scan your C: drive and discover that the Downloads folder is taking up several gigabytes. Delete or move old files to free up space instantly.
For Advanced Users:
You can drill down into subfolders, identify hidden space hogs, and export usage reports for further analysis or backup planning.
Feature 5: Driver Backup
For Beginners:
Drivers are essential for hardware like printers and graphics cards. Before making system changes, use Glary Utilities’ Driver Backup tool to safeguard your current driver configurations.
Step-by-Step:
1. Open Glary Utilities and select Driver Backup.
2. Click “Scan” to list all installed drivers.
3. Select all or individual drivers and click “Backup”.
4. Save the backup to an external drive or cloud storage.
For Advanced Users:
When troubleshooting or migrating to a new system, restore drivers quickly from your backup. This reduces downtime and compatibility headaches, especially after reinstalling Windows.
Conclusion
Managing Windows system information doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Glary Utilities offers a suite of intuitive features that streamline everything from basic system checks to advanced diagnostics and maintenance. Beginners will appreciate the user-friendly interfaces and one-click actions, while advanced users benefit from detailed insights and customization. With tools like System Information, Process Manager, Startup Manager, Disk Space Analyzer, and Driver Backup, Glary Utilities stands out as a comprehensive solution for anyone looking to master their Windows PC’s system tools.