Security Essentials and System Mechanic help keep Windows running

It's Microsoft, after all, that's responsible for the frailties of Windows. Could I trust it to protect Windows when it can't design Windows properly to start with?

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Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983

Microsoft Security Essentials and Iolo System Mechanic help keep Windows running smoothly

Nov. 8, 2009

By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2009, Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2009, The Post-Standard

   Windows needs protection and constant vigilance. And, and every now and then, just like your car, Windows needs an "oil change" -- preventive maintenance through a fix-up utility.
   This week I want to tell you about software that handles both chores well. The programs are Security Essentials from Microsoft, a free suite of antivirus, intrusion-protection and antispyware programs, and System Mechanic 9 from Iolo Technologies, a Windows-fixup program which lists for $50 but is heavily discounted. For more information, go to www.microsoft.com/security/portal for Security Essentials and www.iolo.com for System Mechanic 9.
   Security Essentials had a hurdle to jump over before I could even consider using it. It's Microsoft, after all, that's responsible for the frailties of Windows. Could I trust it to protect Windows when it can't design Windows properly to start with?
   It turned out my worries were all baseless. Security Essentials is a first-rate anti-virus program with outstanding spyware protection built in. This is exactly the kind of protection Windows needs, 24-7.
   Readers of this column know that I've given high ratings to other antivirus and antispyware programs, and still consider those products highly. But I'm placing Security Essentials at the head of the class for two important reasons:
   -- Microsoft's suite of antivirus and antispyware programs is kept up-to-date and works very well behind the scenes. You never feel the impact of the software's real-time scans.
   -- All unnecessary decisions are kept away from the user. Security Essentials seems to have been programmed by software engineers who know how to leave you alone. Security Essentials just plain works.
   Iolo's System Mechanic 9 is the latest iteration of a veteran fix-it program, well respected among Windows users. Like Security Essentials, System Mechanic 9 respects the user's need for comprehensive action without pestering for approval at every step.
   In fact, the first time I ran System Mechanic I thought I was doing things wrong. There was no dialog box asking me to select something once System Mechanic had finished its Registry-repair scan. In essence, the Iolo software does the right thing all on its own.
   (I find this amazing. Software that doesn't pester you for choices? Iolo's programmers aren't playing by the rules!)
   The cost of System Mechanic 9 includes a year's subscription to data updates that help the software detect problems. You can renew the subscription at any time, but the software will continue to work, without any further helpful updates, after the first year is up. That sounds fair to me.