Auslogics Internet Optimizer

Auslogics Internet Optimizer is a free tool that tweaks Windows network and browser settings to speed up an Internet connection. It includes a link to a third-party website, speedtest.net, to test the actual Internet speed, and once you click "Analyze" it runs its own connection tests. The Analyze report is displayed in a small window, almost looking like Windows Task Manager, but simpler. Some recommendations are listed without an explanation on the report screen. For example, it may recommend raising the Socket Receive Buffer Length from 8 KB to a larger value, or disabling ECN Capability when Windows has it enabled. It has two main choices, Auto Optimization or Manual Optimization. Auto Optimization asks you to pick your connection speed (fast, average or slow) and then tests 62 parameters, while Manual Optimization lets you review every item yourself before it is changed. The Auto mode then shows a report of the suggested changes, which you can apply with one click.

The other menu option is Program Settings. Here you can set up the Rescue Center, which backs up the changes made so they can be undone later, and specify direct or proxy connection settings. The Rescue Center can also be opened from the File menu, where you can restore the last backup if an optimization causes problems. The interface language can be selected there as well.

The settings also include a Back to General Settings button and a Restore Default option, and it is not always clear whether "default" means your original configuration or the Windows defaults. Switching from Manual settings back to Auto Optimization may discard the list of manual recommendations. Beginners will need some time to learn the program, although no programming knowledge is needed. The program may also recommend disabling IPv6 over IPv4, changing the TCP Window size, or increasing the DNS Cache timeout and server info timeout values. These recommendations come without a link to MSDN or other Microsoft documentation, so it is worth checking them before applying them. All changes are applied only after a system reboot. The interface is plain, but for a tweaking tool it is easy to navigate. The speed options cover fiber, ADSL2, cable, DSL, EDGE, satellite, ISDN, GPRS and dial-up connections.

Once in the Manual mode, a large tree of about 88 parameters, grouped into sections such as TCP/IP, WinSock, Workstation, DNS Cache and browser settings, does define what these settings are, like ECN Capability. For each parameter you can choose a value or set it back to the system default. The explanations are brief but helpful. Browser tweaks cover Internet Explorer, Firefox and Opera; other browsers such as Google Chrome are not covered. Unlike a packet analyzer such as Wireshark, the program does not capture or inspect traffic and does not test your router or other network nodes; it only changes configuration values. Auslogics Internet Optimizer was released as freeware for personal use and is no longer developed as a separate product; its Internet optimization functions are now part of Auslogics BoostSpeed.

It speeds up the Internet connection by adjusting TCP/IP, WinSock, DNS and browser settings to suit your connection type.

Features:

• Using the Auto mode, it scans the system and compiles a list from 80+ settings, ready to change with one click

• Allows the same changes to be toggled independently using the Manual mode

• Provides explanations of each configuration within the tool itself, so you know what you are changing

• Comes with a built-in "Rescue Center" that backs up your settings so you can revert any changes