Sarah Balaz
Updated on: December 22, 2023
Short on time? Here’s the best PC repair software in 2024:
- 🥇 TotalAV. TotalAV provides simple-to-use PC repair software with great optimization options. It has advanced malware detection and quick cleanup tools. On top of that, it includes useful extra features like a VPN and a password manager.
There’s nothing worse than having a slow PC and not knowing what’s wrong. I’d been experiencing a lot of slowdowns, so I tested a bunch of PC repair programs to see which ones really do improve your PC’s performance. My main aim was to find programs that offer a complete package of system repair and optimization features like fixing registry errors, sorting out fragmented files, updating drivers, and getting rid of malware threats.
It turns out that the best PC repair tools are usually bundled with antivirus suites. Not only do these suites come with handy system repair features, but they also bring some serious malware scanning and removal powers to the table. That means they can tackle issues like malware infections, pesky adware, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and anything else that’s dragging your PC’s performance down.
TotalAV quickly became my top choice for PC repair software. It’s an all-in-one internet security solution that does a great job of repairing and protecting your system.
Quick summary of the best PC repair software:
- 🥇 1. TotalAV — Best overall kit for repairing and optimizing PCs (frees up space and improves speed).
- 🥈 2. Norton — Excellent antivirus suite with the quickest clean-up and optimization tools.
- 🥉 3. Bitdefender — Easiest way to optimize and repair out-of-shape computers (works with one click).
- 4. Avira — Solid antivirus for diagnosing and repairing problems on Windows computers.
- 5. Kaspersky — Good range of effective optimization tools with an intuitive interface.
- Comparison of the best PC repair software in 2024.
🥇 1. TotalAV — The Overall Best PC Repair Software
Approved by our experts
TotalAV is my top choice for PC repair software. I found it was the most comprehensive and reliable solution for optimizing and repairing my PC.
TotalAV’s System Tune Up is an all-in-one approach to PC repair and optimization. It offers a wide range of features designed to address various issues and improve system performance. For example, TotalAV covers all the essential aspects of PC repair in one place, including junk file cleanup and disk optimization.
TotalAV’s cleanup tools were super efficient in identifying and eliminating unnecessary files. The Junk Cleaner found 3.99 GB of junk on my computer — 3.37 GB in my Recycle Bin and an additional 628 MB of cached Windows Updates. By freeing up valuable disk space on my PC, I noticed a decent increase in my operating speed. TotalAV’s disk cleaner and registry cleaner successfully optimized my system too — resulting in a noticeable improvement in performance and responsiveness.
TotalAV’s malware scanning and removal capabilities are also impressive. The software boasts advanced algorithms that can detect and eliminate various types of malware, including viruses, spyware, adware, and ransomware. TotalAV removed over 99% of my test malware files, which is really impressive (but not quite as impressive as Norton’s flawless rate).
Another noteworthy aspect of TotalAV is its user-friendly interface. Navigating through the software is intuitive and straightforward — even for users with limited technical expertise. TotalAV’s clean and well-organized interface provides easy access to all the essential tools and features, allowing users to optimize their PC with just a few clicks.
TotalAV goes beyond PC repair and has additional features that enhance overall system performance and security. Its web browsing protection helps block malicious websites and phishing attempts, keeping users safe while browsing the internet. While testing, I noticed that TotalAV detected more phishing sites than Firefox or Chrome. The software also includes a system boost feature, which optimizes system resources for improved gaming performance.
TotalAV’s paid plans start at $19.00 / year, and they all include excellent clean-up tools. My favorite is the Internet Security plan, which includes a really good VPN (the best antivirus-bundled VPN in 2024), system tune up, and real-time malware detection for up to 5 devices, all for $39.00 / year. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
TotalAV’s user-friendly System Tune Up delivers impressive results, significantly improving PC performance. Combined with its strong real-time anti-malware protection, TotalAV is a top-notch PC repair software offering an excellent value.
🥈 2. Norton — Most Speedy Clean-Up and Optimization
Norton includes powerful PC cleanup and optimization tools. It excels at identifying and removing unnecessary files, temporary data, and other clutter that can slow down system performance.
Using Norton’s cleanup tools significantly improved my PC’s speed and responsiveness, making everyday tasks much smoother and more efficient. For example, the RAM Releaser closed background processes I wasn’t using — such as my Plex Media Server — which made my applications boot more quickly. I was honestly surprised that when I loaded my web browser, it responded in just a few seconds (it normally takes a good minute!).
Users that want to fully optimize their PC should consider the Utilities Ultimate add-on. It has everything to keep your computer in tip-top shape, like a junk remover and application uninstaller — but I did notice that some of its features came as standard with TotalAV.
Norton’s malware scanning capabilities are also excellent (it’s our favorite antivirus in 2024). It has one of the strongest anti-malware engines on the market, which keeps your computer from getting nasty infections that can impact its performance. Utilizing an extensive malware database, employing heuristic analysis, and harnessing the power of machine learning, Norton detects a wide range of threats. It removed 100% of test malware files during my tests.
What also sets Norton apart is its comprehensive approach to PC repair. In addition to its cleanup and malware scanning features, the software offers additional tools such as disk defragmentation. It has rescue tools, too, that will help restore your PC to working order if it’s so infected that it won’t start.
I really like Norton’s startup manager. It highlighted unnecessary programs that were starting when I turned my computer on — I could easily disable them and noticed an increase in my startup speeds.
Norton offers various subscription plans to cater to different needs and budgets, but my top pick is Norton 360 Deluxe, which starts at $49.99 / year*. It includes great PC repair software, an advanced antivirus, and other useful features like parental controls and cloud storage. Every Norton plan includes a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Overall, Norton 360 is a solid choice for PC repair software. Its powerful cleanup and optimization tools and robust malware scanning capabilities make it a good choice for PC repair in 2024. With Norton, I experienced noticeable improvements in my PC’s speed, security, and overall performance.
Read the full Norton 360 review
🥉 3. Bitdefender — Easy 1-Click Optimization
Bitdefender offers good PC repair software for tech novices with its OneClick Optimizer. This straightforward cleanup and repair tool proved highly efficient in my tests, successfully eliminating junk like temporary system files and broken registry items.
Bitdefender’s OneClick Optimizer excels in cleanup, but it lacks certain additional optimization tools found in competing products like TotalAV and Norton, such as a startup manager and a duplicate file finder. It would be great to see Bitdefender expand its feature set in the future.
That said, I really appreciate Bitdefender’s cloud-based malware scanner. It won’t slow down your computer while it runs, and it combines machine learning and traditional signature-based scanning to provide robust protection against various malware threats, including spyware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).
To access the OneClick Optimizer, users need to subscribe to Bitdefender’s premium plans, such as Total Security and Premium Security. Total Security, priced at $49.99 / year, covers up to 5 devices and offers a comprehensive set of additional security features. Premium Security provides all of Bitdefender’s features, including an unlimited-data VPN, and covers up to 10 devices at the cost of $79.99 / year.
Bottom Line:
Bitdefender is a good PC repair software for beginners. Its powerful OneClick Optimizer makes cleaning your PC a breeze, and it has robust malware scanning capabilities that found all the malware on my PC.
Read the full Bitdefender review
4. Avira — Decent Suite of Tools for PC Improvement
Avira has an advanced diagnostics tool, which provided detailed metrics about my computer’s performance. I liked being able to see the improvements made in each area after Avira’s cleanup process.
Avira’s cleanup tools are also highly efficient in identifying and removing various types of junk files and redundant data. The software excels at scanning and eliminating unnecessary clutter — in my tests, it removed 1.3 GB of junk files.
I like how easy Avira is to navigate. The software is designed to be intuitive and accessible to users of all skill levels. Navigating through Avira’s features is a breeze, and it provides easy access to all the key functionalities without overwhelming technical jargon. I also liked how I could easily select how frequently I wanted Avira to run scans. But I did find TotalAV even easier to navigate.
I was excited to see that Avira offers a free plan. The free plan includes real-time malware protection and basic optimization tools. That said, I would still recommend Avira Prime. It costs $36.99 / year and lets you access the full suite of clean-up and optimization tools on up to 5 devices. Avira also stands behind its product with a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Overall, Avira is a good choice for PC repair. It provides a holistic solution for optimizing and securing your PC with its effective cleanup tools, advanced diagnostics features, malware scanning capabilities, and user-friendly interface.
5. Kaspersky — Good Range of Optimization Tools
Kaspersky provides a comprehensive suite of system cleanup tools that can help solve your PC’s problems. For example, there’s a PC cleaner, startup management tool, privacy cleaner, hard drive health monitoring tool, and an unused data cleaner.
During my tests, Kaspersky’s cleaner only took a few minutes to analyze my system — allowing me to choose whether to delete, ignore, or seek more information on flagged files. This ensured cautious and informed decision-making when removing files. The hard drive health checker proved particularly useful, but it would be nice if it provided more guidance on resolving identified issues like TotalAV does.
Kaspersky’s robust virus scanner utilizes an extensive database and cloud-based machine learning to detect various types of malware, including PUPs, spyware, and adware, which can significantly impact device performance. The software offers flexibility by allowing users to postpone scheduled scans during CPU-intensive tasks and to disable automatic scans — which is a nice bonus. It also gives you an estimate of how long a scan will take, which is handy.
Kaspersky has 3 plans that all incorporate the system cleanup tool. The Kaspersky Plus plan, which starts at $52.99 / year, offers an excellent value, covering up to 10 devices and featuring additional perks like an unlimited-data VPN and a password manager. All Kaspersky plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Kaspersky is a decent choice for a quick and straightforward PC tune-up. Kaspersky effectively removes unwanted applications and files, addressing specific system issues. Additionally, its malware scanner provides protection against malicious applications that can hamper device speed.
Read the full Kaspersky review
Comparison of the Best PC Repair Software in 2024
How to Choose the Best PC Repair Software in 2024
- Check for efficient system cleanup features. Trustworthy PC repair software should have efficient cleanup tools to warrant your investment. All the items on my list can deliver comprehensive PC cleaning.
- Look for PC optimization features. Ensure that the PC repair software you choose offers optimization tools to enhance your computer’s performance. Disk defragmenters available in software like Norton 360 and Bitdefender are particularly useful for improving system efficiency.
- Check for a built-in malware scanner. Opt for software that includes a malware scanner alongside its cleanup functionalities. Effective malware detection and removal are crucial for maintaining the security and optimal performance of your PC. Top antiviruses like TotalAV also have advanced malware scanners.
- Choose software with a file manager. The best PC repair software offers file management capabilities, allowing you to organize and analyze individual files as well as your entire system.
- Opt for user-friendly software. Select PC repair software that is intuitive and accessible to users of all skill levels. The products I recommend feature user-friendly interfaces and provide easy access to key features. TotalAV, in particular, offers a clean and beginner-friendly interface.
- Look for additional features. For optimal PC protection and performance, consider investing in a full internet security suite instead of relying solely on standalone PC repair software. All of the recommended PC repair software options on my list are bundled within comprehensive antivirus packages, offering not only PC cleaning capabilities but also robust antivirus protection.
- Consider value for money. With numerous PC repair software products available, it’s essential to choose one that offers a good value. All the recommended products on my list provide an excellent quality-price ratio and come with a minimum 30-day money-back guarantee (Norton and Avira even offer a 60-day money-back guarantee).
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Intego. Intego provides excellent optimization features for Mac; however, its PC version currently lacks optimization tools.
- Panda Dome. Panda provides a range of cleanup tools for Windows PCs, but their functionality is relatively limited compared to the offerings from other brands on this list. While Panda’s tools are not flawed, they lack advanced features.
- Ashampoo. While Ashampoo offers some good PC repair features, it has limited functionality and lacks comprehensive optimization tools, making it less effective than other leading options in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PC repair software?
PC repair software is a set of tools that can find and fix various issues that can impact the performance of your PC. It is a comprehensive solution to diagnose and fix common problems such as registry errors, fragmented files, and malware infections.
When you run PC repair software, it conducts a thorough scan of your system, identifying the root causes of issues and offering the necessary tools and functionalities to address them effectively. By utilizing this software, you can optimize your computer’s performance and ensure smooth operation.
TotalAV is my top choice for PC repair software. It offers a robust suite of features, encompassing not only system repair and optimization but also advanced malware detection and removal capabilities. With TotalAV, you can not only address existing issues but also safeguard your system against potential security threats.
Is PC repair software safe?
Yes, PC repair software is generally safe to use. During my research, I found that the best PC repair tools actually all came from antivirus suites. So not only can these tools help when you are experiencing computer problems, but they can also keep your PC protected with malware scanners and other security features.
All of the software on this list is very safe. My top pick however is TotalAV. It has quick and easy-to-use clean-up tools. I also like that its virus scanner is very lightweight and didn’t slow down my computer at all while I was running it.
Does PC repair software actually work?
Yes, it does! PC repair software can work wonders — it can fix up all sorts of issues. From cleaning up junk files to getting rid of malware and optimizing your system, PC repair software does the job. Of course, you need to make sure you choose a good one, like TotalAV or Norton. But when you find the right software, it’s like waving a magic wand and watching your computer go from sluggish to speedy in no time.
Can PC repair software help when I’m having computer problems?
Absolutely! PC repair software can be a great help when you’re experiencing computer problems. Whether it’s sluggish performance, system crashes, error messages, or other issues, PC repair software can help diagnose and resolve them effectively.
With PC repair software, you can run scans to identify the underlying causes of your computer problems. These programs often include features such as registry cleaners, disk optimization tools, malware scanners, and driver updates. By utilizing these tools, you can fix registry errors, optimize system settings, remove malware, update outdated drivers, and address other common issues that may be impacting your computer’s performance.
While PC repair software may not solve all complex or hardware-related problems, it can certainly resolve a wide range of software-related issues. It offers a convenient and cost-effective solution to troubleshoot and fix common computer problems without the need for extensive technical knowledge or expensive repairs.
However, it’s essential to choose reputable and trusted PC repair software — like all the ones on my list — to ensure effectiveness and avoid potential security risks.
