How to use the PC Manager App on Windows 11

Windows has never been all that reliable at cleaning up after itself, especially when it comes to app folders and registry files. That is why apps like CCleaner have had a certain appeal. Although Windows has a few native tools that can be used to unclutter the PC and boost performance, they have rarely been brought together under a single hub.

In a bid to change that, Microsoft had been working on a new initiative that would give PC optimizer and cleaner apps a run for their money. And after months of being under wraps, Microsoft’s new PC Manager app has finally been uncovered. Here’s everything you need to know about the beta version of the new PC Manager app that Microsoft has quietly been working on. 

What is the Windows 11 PC Manager app?

The PC Manager app is Microsoft’s take on a cleaner and performance-boosting app. Although still in Beta, the PC Manager app brings together a variety of disparate native tools that manage startup apps, clean system clutter, and boost your PC’s performance on the whole. 

The PC Manager app runs quietly in the background and can be easily accessed from the system tray. It opens up in a minimal side-pane view, similar to OneDrive, and provides a variety of information, health checks, and security features – all under a single hood. 

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What does the PC Manager app do?

The PC Manager app has two basic tabs that you can switch between – Cleanup and Security. In the “Cleanup” tab, the following features are available: 

  • View Memory Usage
  • View Temporary Files size
  • Boost performance
  • Health Check
  • Storage Management
  • Process management
  • Startup apps

From the “Security” tab, you can access the following features:

  • Windows Defender Scan
  • Windows Update
  • Browser Protection

Being able to access all these security and cleanup utilities from a single hub is definitely a plus for Windows users who may be tempted to ditch third-party apps once the PC Manager app is available for the general public.

Related: How to Install and Use Git on Windows 11

How to get the PC Manager app

The PC Manager is an app from Microsoft that is available for download on their official Chinese website, which may suggest that it is made for a specific market although nothing regarding that has yet been confirmed.

Download: PC Manager app

Go to the link given above and click on Free Download. Once the setup file is downloaded, install the app and run it.

Being an alternative to the CCleaners and the Clean Masters of the world, the app is geared more toward low-spec PCs. But many would benefit from Microsoft’s new app, especially those who prefer having all system cleaning and system health utilities under the same roof. 

How to use the PC Manager app

Let’s take a look at all the different areas that make PC Manager a worthy contender in the world of performance booster and PC cleaner apps. 

Boost performance and remove temporary files

The “Boost” button at the top will reduce memory usage and clean up temporary files.

In our tests, memory usage came down by 27% in a matter of seconds, which is quite a healthy margin. The temporary files were deleted instantly too. 

Check health of your PC

To quickly check your PC’s health, click on “Health check”.

PC Manager will immediately start looking for issues. 

Once complete, it will recommend certain actions. Review the actions once before clicking on “Proceed”.

Once finished, click on “Done”.

Related: How to Fix “This PC Doesn’t Currently Meet All the System Requirements for Windows 11” Error

Manage storage of your PC

The storage management feature will show you the available storage space on your PC. If you’re running low on storage, click on it to access the options within it.

  

“Deep Cleanup” will unearth large unwanted files on your ‘C’ drive.

To delete them in one go, click on “Proceed”.

“Manage large files” will allow you to look for large files in the ‘C’ drive.

You can select the size and the file type filters, and then view these files in File Explorer.

Lastly, the “Manage apps” and “Storage sense” options will redirect you to the Settings page for these tools.  

Related: Taskbar Not Showing Icons on Windows 11? How to Fix

Manage processes on your PC

Process management is similar to the Task Manager in that it gives a quick view of the processes that are running on the system.

But more importantly, you can end the listed unused processes to make the system run faster. To do so, simply click on “End” next to the process and free up the memory that’s being used by that process. 

Manage startup apps

Another Task Manager feature, the Startup Apps option will list the apps that you should disable to speed up the boot process.

To disable one, simply toggle it off.

Scan your PC with Windows Defender

The option to Scan for viruses and threats is provided right at the top in the “Security” tab. Clicking on it will start a system-wide scan immediately.

Once complete, you will see the result in the PC Manager app as well as get a pop-up from the Microsoft Defender Antivirus scan.  

Related: How to Disable CSM to install Windows 11

Update your Windows OS

A quick Windows update option is nested in the ‘Security’ tab as well, allowing you a quick look at whether your Windows is up to date or if there are any updates pending.

If there are any updates available, you can check the components to be updated and update them from the PC Manager app itself. 

Get browser protection

This option doesn’t provide much utility as the only thing it’s there to do is to help you switch your default browser to Edge.

Apart from that, there is also a toggle to “Block change by malicious apps” which can come in handy if you’re plagued by malware-infested apps trying to change your browser. 

Although it’s still in its beta phase, the PC Manager app has managed to get a lot of things right by bringing in the right blend of system security, performance boost, and file cleaner tools under a single hood. 

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