Soluto Moves To The Web, Adds Remote Control Options

Remember Soluto, the software that allowed you to optimize the startup time of the Windows operating system? Appears that the developers have moved their application from the desktop to the web. Instead of downloading the program right away, installing it and using it locally, Soluto users now need to create a web account first before they can link up to five PCs with their account. These PCs can be their own, or PCs from friends, family or colleagues that they are asked to take care of.

The desktop application sends information to the web service where they are processed and displayed to the account owner. Soluto has evolved with recent releases. It can still be used to optimize the startup of Windows PCs, but it can also be used for a lot more than that. You'll first notice that when you open the web interface after you have added your first PC.

The PC is controlled from this startscreen. You get some basic information and quick links to program sections such as Apps, Internet or Protection at the top. Here is an overview of each module:

Apps

Lists updates for installed applications, with options to run the update directly from the web interface.

Just click the update or update all button to update all applications silently in the background. It is furthermore possible to install popular applications such as Open Office, Teamviewer or Adobe Reader from the web interface. All of this happens without disturbing the user working on the PC.

Background Apps

This section lets you optimize the system startup and resource usage by removing applications from the boot process. Soluto divides applications in "safe to remove from boot", "potentially removable", and "required (cannot be removed).

Each application is listed with a short description, a recommendation and a pie chart that is visualizing what other Soluto members have done.

Options are to to pause the application from running, to delay it or to make no changes to it.

Internet

Here you see a list of Internet related settings and information. From the default system browser over the current homepage and search engine to the current Internet Service Provider and installed add-ons and plugins.

Soluto lets you manage all aspects right from within the web interface. You can change the default browser, modify that browser's homepage or search engine, and enable or disable installed add-ons or plugins.

The program displays the same descriptions, recommendations, effects and user pie charts to aid you in the decision making process.

Misc

The protection and hardware sections list information about installed security software and the computer's hardware. This includes temperature levels, hard drive space, fragmentation level or the ability to enable or disable the firewall on the system.

Once you are a user you can invite other people so that you can help them with their PC. Once that is set up, you control their PC in the same way that you are controlling your own.

The Soluto desktop application needs to be running for that though. The interface lists all the optimizations and changes that have been done to the system, with options to disconnect the PC from Soluto at any time.

Verdict

The idea to control computer systems over the Internet is not new, but Soluto makes it as easy as possible. Controls are limited but end users who give up control still need to put a lot of trust into the person managing their PC from a far.

Tech savvy users may miss a few options, like the system's actual boot time for comparison purposes, or options to install custom apps on the PC.

Interested users can visit the Soluto website to set up an account. The service is currently in beta.

Soluto will still undo all changes that you are making if you uninstall the software at a later time. Keep that in mind before starting to use the program.

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