There is no shortage of PC cleaner and maintenance apps for Windows.
Even if you are an older Windows user, you might remember apps like AVG Tuneup or CCleaner.
These apps helped you clear out unnecessary clutter and even improve the overall performance by a tiny bit.
Microsoft realized that Windows users could benefit from an official PC Manager app that could help maintain the PC.
And so, the Microsoft PC Manager was born.
PC Manager is an app that lets you perform 1-click system maintenance along with a bunch of useful features.
Heres how to install and set up Microsoft PC Manager on your Windows 11 PC.
What Is the Microsoft PC Manager?
Microsoft began testing a PC Manager app for Windows users in 2022.
Before that, CCleaner and a few other apps ruled the PC Cleaner app segments.
Microsoft always warned against the usage of third-party system management apps as they could damage the registry files.
Now, we have a full-fledged official app that competes with other such apps.
At the time of writing, Microsoft PC Manager is still in the beta testing phase.
The app acts as a central spot to access all the useful system management tools of Windows.
We will cover each of these tools later on in this post.
Then you should probably install it on your system.
Heres how to do it.
Make note that the app is still in a public beta.
So, it could act finicky on your system.
Moreover, accessing the official website is another sad story.
It is unresponsive most of the time and downloading a measly 4 MB installer file can take time.
We faced a server downtime issue while installing this app.
How To Configure and Use Microsoft PC Manager
We covered the installation method in the above section.
Microsoft PC Manager divides the tools into two sections.
The first one is Cleanup tools and the second one is Security tools.
When you launch the app, it always opens up the Cleanup tools list.
The app displays the total memory in use currently and the space occupied by Temp files.
tap on theBoostbutton to free up the memory and flush the temp files.
You cannot use the Boost feature repeatedly, though.
The app displays a message that Your PC is already running well.
However, you’re free to use the boost feature after a few minutes.
TheHealth Checktool presents a comprehensive roundup of problems that need attention.
It also lists out potential security issues and the Startup items that you could disable to decrease loading time.
choose theProceedbutton to perform all the actions listed by the Health Check tool.
Then choose theDonebutton to return to the home page of the PC Manager app.
TheStorage Managementsection contains four tools that help you improve the storage gear’s health and clean the junk.
It showcases the current stats of the C drive (used space and total size).
Below that, there are four tools.
choose theProceedbutton to perform Deep Cleanup.
TheManage large filestool helps you identify all the big files taking up space on the C drive.
you might adjust the file key in as well as the size you want to identify using this tool.
The only drawback is that it can only identify C-drive items.
choose theView in File Explorerbutton to allow the app to list all the files in an explorer Window.
you’re able to manually move or delete these files.
The other two tools are shortcuts to system apps present on Windows.
One is Storage Sense and the other opens up the Installed App list.
Check out our guide onHow to Use Storage Sense on Windows 11for more information.
Process Managementlists out the top apps in use that consume the most RAM on your system.
choose theEndbutton to close a process without opening up Task Manager every time.
Like process management,Startup Appsshowcases the list of apps that slow down system startup.
It performs a quick scan on the C drive only.
TheBrowser Protectiontool prevents malicious apps from changing the default surfing app.
It is part of Microsofts strategy to compel users to switch to Edge.
Theres no harm in doing that, but it all boils down to personal preference.
Click onChange the default browseroption and set it to your favorite web client.
ThePop-up Managementtool prevents Windows apps from showing unnecessary pop-up windows while using the app.
choose theEnable Pop-up blocktoggle, and it will list all the apps that indulge in this activity.
A Free, Official Tool to Manage Your Windows PC
Microsoft PC Manager is an impressive tool.
It frees up memory and storage and manages system security all within one app.
You will notice a few hiccups because it is the beta phase.
One such issue is that it doesnt switch to dark mode on Windows.
