It does basically what ASC does. I'm wondering how it will play with what I already have.

Thank-you for this. I got it , installed it, and got the 6 month license absolutely free with no strings attached. It optimized my computer and I couldn't be happier. Everything is humming along flawlessly.       -- Ace --

Thanks...good eyes.

Seemed to help both my desktop and laptop noticeably. Thank you greatly.

Downloaded the downloader. Clicked it and it comes up...click run and nothing happens. Did it twice. Didn't even ask to save. Did a fresh dl and still nothing.

Waiting for the email. 

Fixed 11 problems, thanks! 

Never got the email.

Pretty good piece of software for free...........I prefer TuneUp which now has been taken over by AVG........We'll see if that is a good move for the consumer or not.

Finally got the email. Installed it, ran the main stuff, it asked me to reboot to finish the process. I did.

Upon reboot, the screen showed System Mechanic was making "repairs" to my C Drive.

Then, it rebooted again, only to see the Windows 8.1 repair screen. It said I needed to use startup repair, so I did. It failed.

OK, so it offered me system restore, which I opted for.

Thankfully, system restore removed System Mechanic and all is well.

Either the new System Mechanic isn't ready for Windows 8.1, or not ready for dual boot systems, or SSDs or something. It sure did mess with my system.

But it's gone now.

I'd set a restore point before trying this software. Word to the wise!

I deleted mine. I already have what works.

I was going to download, but I decided to read some reviews on Amazon first.

I can't confirm the validity of the negative reviews, but if you decide to download, I strongly suggest making a system back up/restore point first.

Actually? So pleased I bought the year extension...so that's 18 months, 2 computers for $14.95. Sweet deal, in my book. Found a bunch of stuff that I fixed with it.

As I write at the bottom of my software posts...making a backup/restore point is the smart thing to do.

Actually Jim, it supports XP, Vista, 7, and 8. 

W8.1 isn't on the list of supported OSs.

Microsoft isn't doing itself a favor with it's naming policies.

there probably are software companies around that would be stupid enough to promote a new version without support for the latest operating system. but iolo is not one of them. Windows 8.1 support is one of the main new features.

source: http://www.iolo.com/resources/articles/whats-new-in-system-mechanic-12/

NEW: Windows 8.1 Certified

Every new operating system presents its own optimization challenges and Windows 8.1 is no exception. New System Mechanic 12 has been specifically engineered to expand on the performance improvements in Windows 8.1 while at the same time eliminating issues it shares with earlier Windows versions all the way from Windows XP and Vista to Windows 7.

Well you have to make a judgement call about negative reviews. They don't entirely consists of people with a chip on their shoulder. Some of them are reasonable.

As I suspected, great minds think alike.

moshi...fascinating:

System requirements

• Windows® 8, 7, Vista, and XP
• 256 MB of RAM
• 130 MB of free hard drive space

Actually the site does confirm what Moshi wrote.

It has been fully designed to effectively fix, optimize, and maintain Windows 8.1 PCs based on extensive testing from iolo Labs. Some of the key areas of Windows 8 focus are:

• Startup Optimizer – Enhanced and engineered to leverage the already-improved start-up speeds of Windows 8.1 by removing unnecessary programs from start up. You not only start up faster, but PC response improves with less programs running in the background.
• Winspresso™ – Exclusive to Windows 8.1’s new tile interface, Winspresso is a new app that optimizes system memory by reclaiming RAM from background apps not in use. Easy access straight from a desktop tile makes it easy to give Windows a quick energy shot anytime you need it.
• PC Health Status App – Designed exclusively for the Windows 8.1 user interface, it lets you keep track of your system efficiency and health status at a glance.

ENHANCED: Tune-up Definitions™

Don't get me started on reviews. You read something on one site or forum and something totally different on another. All I can say is I have had issues with 8.1 before and after installing System Mechanic but the software is running fine on my 8.1 machine. 

Well, as we know, each system is different, and mine is definitely odd...lol..anyway, it was the disk repair part that hosed my rig, so maybe it's SSD related.

Nevertheless, it did cause me problems. I'm not against iolo or SM, just reporting what happened to me.

I'll stick with my Advanced System Care Ultimate. 

the service packs for Windows 7 or XP aren't mentioned as well.

that's why i mentioned Microsoft's naming policies. they confuse people. as it can be seen in this thread.

it is my firm belief that the more tuning and tweaking tools you install, the slower and wackier your system will become.

using such stuff might make you feel like an expert. that's a phase every Windows user will go through for a while, the sooner you realize that at least 95% of what they advertise is snake oil, the better.