WinCleaner USB device- is this legit, or some retail scam?

[Diosoth]

I saw an ad for this USB device the other day and it got me curious- is this modern day snake oil selling? While I suppose it's possible it does as promised, I'm cynical enough to think this $20 magical fix-all thing is either just junk software or possibly going to do more harm than good. The ad seemed to play on the usual stuff that people who are not very computer literate will buy into- making your PC run faster, making the internet work faster and all that with the idea you need no real skill to operate this magical program, as well as mentioning how much PC repair shops will charge for similar services to further drive the price of $20 home. AND you get 2 sticks. Neat? I guess that also preys on those who are computer illiterate and don't know how programs work and may believe you'd need a stick for each separate computer. And yeah, I know there are those out there who probably would believe that.

I would guess no one here would need such a device- this board is full of tech savvy people who know how to clear their browser cache, clean up their registry, remove bloatware and PUPs and get rid of malware, and there are guides, but they take a level of software knowledge and time. The ad plays to people who don't know this stuff and think their computer will simply work better if they "clean" it. It reminds me in a way of ads I used to see of websites that promised similar things just by going to them. Myself, I am tech savvy enough to not even want to put one of those things in the USB slot without knowing a lot more about what the device does.

The big question- if this device is either total junk, or contains malware, how many PC users will be harmed before they even get shut down?

 

[Jacee]

I think I'd pass on it .... 'retail scam'

 

[Layback Bear]

Don't we all wish their was such a thing that worked as advertised.

I will pass. Their is no one tick fix everything as far as I am concerned.

The bad thing is the owner of the computer has no idea what is being cleaned, moved, adjusted, added or deleted.

This little gadget is probably made in China which means it also could be gathering information on the computer and calling home.

 

[HammerHead]

No Thanks

I clean and maintain my computers myself. Something tells me that any app on this usb stick is readily available on the net for free. If the app is not available their is a sub that is as good or better. There are lots of apps that work and are freely available. All it takes is a little reading. For instance on this forum one can find all kinds of remedies that won't cost you a dime.

 

[Layback Bear]

You are correct HammerHead; we work cheap and just love helping other members.

 

[whs]

It's like the pill that cures all ailments. It probably makes more damage than good. Use this instead.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I saw an ad for this USB device the other day and it got me curious- is this modern day snake oil selling?

I saw a 30 second TV ad for this thing in the last 3 or 4 days and snake oil was my first thought. It was a low rent ad obviously targeted at the uninitiated and lowest common denominator users--the very people who would most suffer by using it. "Zip zip zip and you're done", with lots of wide-eyed grinning by the actors.

It reminded me of the old "Honeymooners" episode where Jackie Gleason and Art Carney (Ralph and Norton) come up with a new kitchen tool gadget and try to hawk it in a TV ad, with Gleason playing "Chef Of The Future". Norton asks Ralph "will it core a apple". Ralph says "yes, it will core a apple" and tries to demonstrate it and fails miserably.