As time passes, memory gets cheaper and cheaper, and an entire category of programs may be doomed by this evolution. Anyway, as I write this, there are still a lot of systems with 256 MB of memory or less, and a software application to help with memory defragmentation can prove a really useful tool for a lot of people. When such a program also comes with a nice pack of additional tools for a mere 12$, things become quite interesting...

Clean MemXP 8.0 is the 12$ program I mentioned earlier, but it's not clear how much you are going to pay for this program in the long run, since it seems you're going to purchase a 6 months subscription. Well, no matter how this sounds, I like this program, so let's have a quick tour and you can decide what to do afterwards.


Setup

Clean MemXP 8.0 comes as a 3MB package that should be easy for all to download and setup. You don't have to subscribe your email to any list, or jump through 3-4 sites until you get to the download location. Once you have the setup package on your hard drive, simply run it and follow the instructions displayed on screen. Even if this is your first software installation, everything should work smoothly.


Interface

Clean MemXP looks better than the average system optimizer, especially if we take into account the fact that the main window has 15 skins available for you to use. Even better, the features are well organized, and you don't need more than two mouse clicks to access all primary functions.

The main window has a menu that gives you access to 10 areas - System, Drives, Task Manager, Services, StartUp Manager, Special Folders, Program Launcher, Settings, Options and Lock Computer. There's only one thing I don't understand here - why Settins and Options, and not a single menu item for both of them? That would make the interface even better than it is at this time...


Anyway, if these tools are not enough, you can use the Extra menu from the menu bar to get one step closer to a bunch of additional features, such as screen resolution and screen saver options, direct access to any Control Panel applet or the ability to quickly defrag your memory.


Features

While memory defragmenting features are minimal, the wide range of available tools turn this program into a multi-purpose system optimizer. For example, while the System area allows you to watch the amount of free virtual and physical memory or the CPU load, the Extra menu has an area which helps you to clean various History items or empty the Recycle Bin.

The Task Manager doesn't have as many features as you would expect from a commercial product, and it's only difference to the usual Windows XP one is that you can get access to a list with modules and registry keys opened by a certain process loaded into the memory.

The Settings area is poor in options, but I was very happy to find that the annoying sound that played when defragmenting memory can be silenced. Other than that, there isn't much to set up here, only memory defragmenting options.

Since the pictures speak for themselves, I will conclude by saying that the shareware version of the program I tested today doesn't seem to have any limitations, other that the usual 30 days limit for such programs, if not stated otherwise.


The Good

Clean MemXP is a handy program that looks good and is very easy to use. The information it provides can prove useful for every average computer user, and it can surely make your life a lot easier if your computer doesn't have enough memory and uses the page file often.

The Bad

The main drawback of this program is the confusing licensing procedure and the fact that if you look well, you can find better commercial programs that can perform about the same functions for a price of about 20$ that grants you a license for life. To keep up with the competition, Clean MemXP needs clear licensing conditions and more features, like registry cleaning/defragmenting and Windows customization tools.

Conclusion

I can't advise you to stay away from this program, because I've seen a lot of applications that are much worse and, to be honest, I like Clean MemXP a little. At last, since there's no payment involved while using the shareware version, just press the download link below and try this for yourselves!

Developer: FOTIS
Price: 12.09$
Trial Link: Download