[SC-CSTD] FW: [tech-vi Announce List] From Tom's Hardware: Microsoft Releases PC Manager Beta to Optimize Windows Performance

Sun Oct 23 01:07:29 UTC 2022

From: tech-vi at groups.io <tech-vi at groups.io> On Behalf Of David Goldfield
Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2022 7:00 PM
To: Tech-VI Announcement List <tech-vi at groups.io>
Subject: [tech-vi Announce List] From Tom's Hardware: Microsoft Releases PC Manager Beta to Optimize Windows Performance

>From the Tech-VI list owner: 

I have had an opportunity to install and use this program. Here are my comments as it relates to using PC Manager with a screen reader.

I found the program to be completely accessible when using it with JAWS 2022 and with NVDA 2022.4 Beta 2. All of the screens use the virtual cursor and quick navigation commands work as expected, such as moving to the next button, link, etc.

Unfortunately, the installer for the program is not very accessible and may prove to be a challenge for many screen reader users. Using the August build of JAWS 2022 I was unsuccessful when attempting to install the software. Attempts were made to use the JAWS cursor as well as the touch cursor both in its default as well as with enhanced navigation enabled. I was able to install PC Manager using NVDA by using the screen reader’s object navigation commands. It is necessary to first move the object navigation to the button that indicates your agreement with the license terms and then press insert+numpad enter to select that check box. Next, move the object navigator (insert+numpad 4 and 6 for left/right) to the Install button and press insert+numpad enter to activate the Install button. When installation is complete there is a check box to decide whether or not you wish to run the program and it is likely you will need to use object navigation commands for this, as well. The tab key and the space bar does move focus from one element to the next but screen readers provide no feedback as to what element you are moving to. I have used the program’s Feedback option, found in the Settings menu, to inform Microsoft about this problem. My comments are not meant as a negative statement regarding the functionality or performance of the JAWS screen reader. This installer was just not written or optimized with accessibility in mind. I am sure this was an oversight on Microsoft’s part. As this program is still in beta I feel confident that the installer will be accessible by the time this program is out of beta. Please understand that due to time constraints I am not able to provide any individual support either with installing or in using this software. Questions relating to accessibility should be sent to a relevant public discussion group.

Tomshardware - Friday, October 21, 2022 at 1:06 PM

Microsoft Releases PC Manager Beta to Optimize Windows Performance

Microsoft is beta testing, in a bit of a secretive way, an app called PC Manager that fills the niche currently populated by CCleaner and Huawei’s PC Manager. It scans your PC for unwanted files, can free up RAM, and ties into Windows Defender to block malicious apps. Unfortunately, it also nags you to change your browser to Microsoft Edge.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

We first learned about the app in a tweet from Aggiornamenti Lumia <https://twitter.com/ALumia_Italia/status/1583332269879877632>  (opens in new tab), which led to a story on XDA Developers <https://www.xda-developers.com/microsoft-working-pc-manager-app-clean-up-files/>  (opens in new tab). The pcmanager.microsoft.com <https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X1584492&xcust=tomshardware_us_9512259328005329000&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpcmanager.microsoft.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tomshardware.com%2Fnews%2Fpc-manager-beta-microsoft>  (opens in new tab) site was found to be active but in Chinese. Eventually, with the app not appearing on the Microsoft Store, a download link for an .exe file <https://aka.ms/PCManager10000>  (opens in new tab) was discovered, and people could start trying it out for themselves.

The app is a simple one that loads at startup, then sits in the system tray. When invoked, it scans your storage to discover any cruft it deems worthy of being swept away. There's a RAM boost feature that increased the amount of free RAM on our test machine by about 10% A process inspector performs its best Task Manager impression by allowing you to end unused programs, and it can tell you about the effect other startup apps are having on the performance of your machine - something already in the OS via the Startup Apps page of Settings.

It also duplicates some Windows Defender functionality, with a Scan button for threats, and checks Windows Update. It also has a few less welcome abilities: nagging us to change our default browser from Chrome to Edge (we're old-fashioned, ok) and recommending we turn off Malwarebytes.

While the app is still clearly in beta - it's displayed at the top at all times - it's a welcome addition to Windows, bringing together some disparate but related tools in one place.

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/pc-manager-beta-microsoft

David Goldfield,

Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist

 <https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification> 

 <https://certification.nvaccess.org/> NVDA Certified Expert

Subscribe to the Tech-VI announcement list to receive news, events and information regarding the blindness assistive technology field.

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