Windows has a new, free app called “PC Manager.” It’s handy.

The app offers shortcuts to security features, storage management and performance boosts. To get it, launch the Microsoft Store on your computer, then search for “PC Manager.”

Once it’s installed, click on “Health Check” to remove temporary files, trackers and other junk. Click “Boost” to make your computer run faster, and “Smart Boost” to get an automatic speed-up whenever your PC gets sluggish. The app also includes a currency converter, calculator, recorder, translator, notepad and screenshot taker.

Besides PC Manager, I also like the free Ccleaner. Ccleaner removes junk files and trackers too, but unlike PC Manager, it goes beyond cleaning Microsoft Edge. It also gets rid of junk files in Chrome, Safari and other browsers. Other tools include an uninstaller, a drive wiper, a shortcut to disabling unnecessary browser plug-ins, a link to System Restore and a duplicate file finder that ignores photos but includes music.

Trackless

I’m no longer being tracked by third parties in Google Chrome. How can I tell? There’s an eye icon in the search bar and it’s crossed out.

Google is in the process of getting rid of third party tracking for all Chrome users, though so far they’ve only turned it off for 1 percent of us. But you can turn it off manually by opening Chrome and clicking or tapping the three dots in the upper right corner, then choosing  “Settings,” then “third party cookies.” Put a checkmark next to “block third-party cookies.” On the iPhone, you can block cookies by opening Safari and going to “Privacy & Security.”

Third party trackers, called “cookies,” gather personal information about you. They could also add malware to your phone or computer. But without them, the ads you see wouldn’t be relevant, and some sites won’t let you in unless you unblock them.

Palworld

“In this game, I can be a crazy cat lady, build a cute house, and give my pals a gun? Game of the year!” said a user of the new “Palworld.”

“Palworld,” a Pokemon satire, is a huge hit, with over 19 million copies sold since January 19.  Check out its trailers on YouTube to get an idea of the game play. In the first few seconds, it looks peaceful, with flying dragons, gorgeous mountains and tummy rubs for unusual pets. Then the creatures come out, machine guns blazing.

Palworld has 180,694 “very positive” reviews on the Steam platform. The early access version, which keeps evolving, is $30. I find these kinds of shoot-em ups a turnoff, but I can see the appeal for others.

Now Backing Up

Instead of the backup programs that come with Windows, I like Ashampoo’s “Backup Lite.” It’s free.

Why do I dislike the free Windows Backup? In Windows 10, it’s confusing. In Windows 11, it assumes I want to back up every darn file on my computer. Then it sends everything to my OneDrive account online, which fills up quickly. When it gets past the free five gigabyte limit, there’s a charge, unless I decide to renew my Office 365 program for $70 a year. Then I’d get a terabyte of free online storage space.

Ashampoo’s Backup Lite is refreshingly easy. Choose what you want to back up and where you want it to go. The categories include photos, music, videos, Office documents and “Custom.” The junky stuff doesn’t need to come over. Restoring files is a bit tricky however. I had to click “Deactivate” first, which stopped the backup from running in the background. In the next version, there’ll be a simple restore button, the company spokesman says.

Selfie Timer

If you have a Samsung or Pixel phone, you can show your palm to your camera app to automatically snap a selfie. The selfie timer will swing into action, giving you enough time to get your hand out of the picture and steady the phone before the photo is snapped. But Pixel owners have to set it up first by going to Settings and turning on the Palm Timer.

Login Hassles

If it bugs you to have to sign in every time you return to your Windows computer, here’s how to turn that off. Do a search on “Sign-in options,” then choose “never” in the drop-down menu next to “Require sign-in.”

Improve Your Gait

I used to jog in a manner that was hard on my toes. Now there’s a wearable device, the Evolve MVMT, that guides you toward a perfect gait. If you’re landing too hard on your heels, for example, it will let you know.  It’s $499 from evolvemvmt.com, but might be worth it if it saves you from worn-out joints.

Here’s another benefit: Patients who learn to do “light walking” don’t just prevent injuries. They burn 36 percent more calories, according to a study by the Cleveland Clinic and Monash University.

AI Paint

The new “Cocreator” is an artificially intelligent tool in Paint, which comes with Windows 11. Unfortunately, there’s a waitlist.

Cocreator is just like “Bing Create,” but includes Paint’s image editor. For example, it lets you add a speech bubble to a picture, with words like “Happy Birthday.” Share it by email and social medial, or make a printed greeting card. Alternatively, begin at Bing Create, then bring your image into Paint or your favorite photo editor.

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