Process Lasso: System Optimizer/Process Tamer (review)

Rampant processes can be a bane for computer users, often chewing up resources which would be better served elsewhere. Unfortunately, Windows doesn’t offer too many options for dealing with these issues natively and that’s where system optimization tools such as Process Lasso come into their own.

Process Lasso is specifically designed to automatically manage process prioritization in real time. At its core is the unique ‘ProBalance’ technology which ensures that high priority (user initiated) processes receive adequate resources for optimum performance and are not hampered by other processes running on the system.

Process Lasso – Features & Usage

process lasso main interface

Process Lasso is offered as a feature limited free version or full-featured Pro version (some Pro elements are enabled in the free version for a short trial period). The free version also includes a nag screen on startup and occasionally when you bring up the program from the system tray. However, the free version does include three full-featured main components – ProBalance, SmartTrim, and IdleSaver.

When you run Process Lasso 8 for the first time it displays comprehensive details of processes running on your system, including an ‘Actions log’ at the bottom highlighting when new processes are started or terminated. Much of this information may not be a great help to less experienced users but this is the sheer beauty of Process Lasso, ProBalance is enabled by default and fully automates the whole system of prioritization, while more experienced users can dig down and configure settings to suit their own purposes.

process lasso probalance settings

SmartTrim is a relatively new intelligent RAM optimization component, first introduced in v7.8 and now enhanced considerably in v8. SmartTrim is not enabled by default but you can easily enable it (Options > SmartTrim) and just let it do its thing or configure parameters to suit. Again, depending on level of user proficiency, the choice is yours – automation or configuration.

process lasso-smart trim settings

IdleSaver is, in my opinion, a great concept which automatically switches between power profiles depending on whether the system is idle or active. Meaning that you’ll get optimum performance while you are working on the computer (or the system is working in the background), and a power saving mode whenever the system is idle.

process lasso-idle saver

Gaming Mode is a new component which provides maximum performance by limiting background process resource usage when playing games. However, while available in the free version, it is apparently not fully automated.

process lasso-auto gaming mode

Not being a gamer myself I’m unsure of the exact implications. Maybe someone with both gaming and Process Lasso experience might enlighten us.

Process Lasso’s default settings will suffice for most users but it also offers plenty of opportunities for more advanced users to configure the software to suit their own preferences. For example, you can:

  • Adjust process priorities and CPU affinities
  • Change settings for specific processes
  • Adjust I/O and memory priorities, either permanently or for just one instance
  • Add exceptions (for processes you don’t want included)

Process Lasso Bottom Line

Process Lasso works well right out of the box but users can also choose to be in total control if they’d prefer. In a genre which tends to attract scammers and snake oil peddlers, Process Lasso is a breath of fresh air – safe, lightweight, and effective.

5-star rating

 

3 thoughts on “Process Lasso: System Optimizer/Process Tamer (review)”

  1. I will need to try this out I’m always trying to find better software to help with my computer and others. Must remember to install this when I get home. 🙂

  2. I have been using BitLasso for years. Great little program. I had alaptop that seemed a little sluggish, I was able to get a free Complete version of Bitlasso from a giveaway site.
    What a difference! I did not know that Microsoft process were using so much of my puny resources. Suffice it to say, Bitlasso is on every Pc I own now.

  3. This program is in an overcrowded field by itself. I haven’t seen any other ‘similar’ program that gives you so much understandable data in real time, with such fine tune control.

    I’ve learned more misuing it than I have tiptoeing around MS Windows for decades. “So that’s what that means! Don’t do that!” One click and all is just fine. Can’t beat it. If there’s anything you think doesn’t work well, or is missing, it will probably be in the next update, which comes often. Feedback gets a direct response faster than with any product I’ve ever purchased. Very, very solid, people and product.

    bem

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