Symantec Reintroduces Norton Utilities, Giving New Life to Sluggish PCs

Suite of performance tools reduces PC start-up time, makes everyday applications respond faster.

CUPERTINO, Calif. – Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC), makers of Norton security software, today announced the availability of Norton Utilities, reintroducing a classic and fan-favorite Norton product with new and essential tools to optimize PC performance. The unique tools in today’s Norton Utilities help reclaim system memory, accelerate startup time, free up disk space and boost overall system performance.

Norton Utilities focuses on the growing problem of slow and sluggish PCs by delivering a suite of performance-boosting enhancements. By allowing users to prioritize startup applications and Microsoft Windows services, users will experience faster startup and increased availability for the applications they need. In fact, third party test labs, PassMark Software recently concluded that Norton Utilities delivers a 24% increase in PC boot time on a sluggish Windows XP machine [1]. PassMark also found that everyday applications, such as Microsoft Word launched 16% faster on that same PC following the use of Norton Utilities. Additionally, the product’s registry and disk management tools bring improved performance and stability to the PC. Norton Utilities also features a performance benchmarking application that lets users view, compare, and tweak their PC’s performance according to their needs.

“In today’s economic climate, we’re all trying to do more with what we’ve already got,” said Rowan Trollope, senior vice president, Consumer Business Unit, Symantec. “Norton Utilities provides the tools to give your PC an instant tune-up and get it running like new again. Whether it’s a new PC that you want to maintain or an older one whose performance is dragging, Norton Utilities tunes-up, tweaks and maintains your PC to ensure you get the most mileage out of it.”

Norton Utilities maintains and optimizes PC performance through its suite of tools that include:

* Startup Manager & Services Manager - Manages programs configured to run at system startup.
* Registry Cleaner - Cleans the registry of unnecessary entries created during the installation, de-installation and normal work on the PC.
* Registry Defragmenter - Analyzes the registry for errors and rebuilds it completely from scratch if needed. Defragments and corrects any structural errors.
* Disk Cleaner - Scrubs the hard disk of temporary files, Internet cookies, and other junk data.
* Performance Test - Benchmarks a PC using a variety of different speed tests and compares the results before and after changes.

Norton Utilities includes free 24x7 email, chat and web support to all customers. Additionally, phone support is available for a fee.

Pricing and Availability

Norton Utilities is now available for purchase in the U.S. through the Symantec online store at www.symantecstore.com and will become available in retail locations in the coming weeks. The suggested retail price for Norton Utilities is US$49.99.