Iolo System Mechanic 16.0 Stops Working

System Mechanic has been my go-to computer clean up and tune up software for many years.  It costs me about $40 per year but has been worth it in terms of performance.  Current version is 16.0 to which I just upgraded a week or so ago.

The program had been giving me some trouble for a couple of months.  It would quit working in the middle of automated analysis and clean up.  So when the upgrade did the same thing two nights in a row, I decided enough. Using Google with my title as search text input, I found THIS link.

Took me an afternoon but it worked and I hope fixed a few other things as well.  The problem was something in Windows. Here are the steps to doing a total overhaul on Windows XP to 10.

1. Entirely delete the contents of all Temp folders.  I used CCleaner which is free from this website: http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds.aspx. It removes all of the following and a great deal more.  You can chose what it will remove but these are critical. Reboot afterwards.

• Cookies
• Local Settings\Temp
• Local Settings\History
• Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

2. Disable Windows security systems including antivirus.  I did not need to uninstall Malware Bytes but was warned it may be necessary if disabling them does not truly shut them off.  I did turn off the Firewall. Windows Repair must be installed with no security software interference.

3. Download and install Windows Repair (All In One) which is free from this website: www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/windows-repair-all-in-one.

4. Follow all the directions in Windows Repair.  It walks you through step by step.  I did all the optional scans and of course the mandatory backups. Some of the steps take time.  Be patient.

5. Once you have run the repairs, reboot and test.