Function

• PC Pitstop Optimizer, like many similar programs, goes through Windows and deletes unneeded files that can effect system performance. These files are typically cache files for Internet browsing, temporary files created for installations and the files in the Recycle Bin. It also will go through the registry, which is a database that stores various settings and options in Windows, and remove broken entries and errors there.
  
  

Additional Functions

• PC Pitstop Optimize also changes several system settings that can adversely effect Internet speed. It can adjust the maximum packet size that is allowed over an Internet connect, change the time limit before a process times out and adjust recovery time settings if a connection is broken. These settings are changed automatically by the program or manually by the user.
  
  

Reception

• Reviews of PC Pitstop Optimize have been mixed. Joel Durham Jr. at ExtremeTech said the program did improve Internet speed slightly, but overall system performance was unaffected. He also said that many of the features of the program can be done without the need of a program like PC Pitstop Optimize. Tracy Baker echoed the same sentiments, and said that while it doesn't do anything harmful to a computer, it doesn't do much to help it either.
  
  

PC Pitstop Programs

• PC Pitstop Optimize is developed and distributed by PC Pit Stop and is one of many programs by the company that claim to improve PC performance. Other programs include Driver Alert, which alerts users when they need to update their drivers, the anti-spyware software Exterminate, and Erase, which is a permanent file erasing program.
  
  

Similar Programs

• There are other programs similar to PC Pitstop Optimize, some of which are free. CCleaner is a critically-lauded PC tweaking tool that can delete useless computer files and clean Windows registry--two of the main features of PC Pitstop Optimize. WinUtilities, Smoker and Ashampoo are other similar programs. Before using any program that changes system settings it is advised that a user back up important files, just in case something goes wrong.