Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 18: IObit's PC Cleaner with a Bitdefender Antivirus Built In
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 18 is a Windows tool from IObit that puts a real-time antivirus, powered by Bitdefender's engine, together with the junk cleaning, registry repair and speed-up tools of Advanced SystemCare. It costs $28.99 a year for 2 PCs ($25.99 for one PC), runs on everything from Windows XP SP3 to Windows 11, and has a 30-day trial that includes every feature.
It's for the person who wants one program, one icon and one subscription to keep a home PC clean, quick and free of malware, rather than a separate antivirus, cleaner and startup manager that each nag for attention.
Quick facts
- Version: 18.5.0.120 (installer dated September 28, 2026)
- Developer: IObit
- Platform: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista and XP SP3
- Antivirus engine: Bitdefender, with real-time protection and anti-ransomware
- Price: yearly subscription: 1 PC $25.99, 2 PCs $28.99, 3 PCs $29.99
- Trial: 30 days with all features, then a license code is needed
- Guarantee: 60-day money-back guarantee, with conditions (see below)
- What we checked: installer version 18.5.0.120 (150.65 MB, signed by IObit Co., Ltd.) downloaded from IObit on October 24, 2026, the order page price of $28.99 for the 2-PC plan, and the other plan prices on IObit's product page, all on October 24, 2026. We didn't run a malware detection test or measure boot times
Before you buy
- Use the 30-day trial, not the refund, to decide. IObit's refund policy doesn't cover a change of mind or being unhappy with what a product does. Refunds are for wrong or duplicate purchases, missing license codes, unexpected auto-renewals and technical faults support can't fix.
- It's a subscription that renews. Several Trustpilot reviewers complain about renewals they didn't expect or couldn't find how to cancel. Note the renewal date when you buy.
- It replaces your antivirus, it doesn't sit beside it. If you're happy with Microsoft Defender or another antivirus, the cheaper Advanced SystemCare Pro gives you the cleaning tools without a second scanner.
- Expect offers for other IObit products. The Action Center recommends other programs, and two Speed Up cards ask you to install Driver Booster and IObit Uninstaller.
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Overview
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate is laid out in five tabs down the left side: Antivirus, Care, Speed Up, Software Updater and Action Center. The Antivirus tab is what sets it apart from Advanced SystemCare Pro. Open the program and the first thing you see is a shield that's either blue (protected) or orange (something's off), with a Fix Now button and three scan buttons below it.
The Antivirus tab in Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 18, warning that real-time protection is off, with Fix Now and the three scan types.
Everything else is the familiar Advanced SystemCare toolkit: a big Scan button that checks 12 areas of Windows, a Speed Up page of startup and memory tools, a one-click software updater, and a Toolbox of 23 small utilities. Behind it all sits Rescue Center, which keeps a dated backup of the registry and startup changes each scan makes.
Features
Real-time antivirus with four layers of protection
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate scans for viruses with Bitdefender's engine, which IObit says detects more than 220 million threats. You get Quick, Full and Custom scans (Custom lists your external drives), a "Scan with ASC Ultimate" option in the right-click menu, and the choice to fix what's found and then shut down, restart, hibernate or sleep the PC. Click Protection Details and it opens four panels of switches:
- System Protection: real-time protection, anti-ransomware, an automatic silent mode, and the Windows Firewall status
- Privacy Protection: Safe Folder, access protection that blocks untrusted programs from your data, fingerprint protection and anti-tracking
- Browser Protection: email protection, ads removal, surfing protection and a homepage advisor that tells you when your homepage or search engine changes
- Antivirus Database: the signature version, with a one-click update
Protection Details: the antivirus database version and the switches for system, privacy and browser protection.
Note that the email, ads and surfing protections need the IObit Surfing Protection extension added to your browser.
The Care scan: 12 cleanup and repair modules in one click
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate's Care tab checks privacy traces, junk files, broken shortcuts, the registry, outdated software, spyware, internet settings, system settings, registry fragmentation, security weaknesses, missing Windows patches and disk optimization (defragmenting hard drives and trimming SSDs). Untick anything you'd rather it left alone, review each module's findings before you press Fix, and right-click an item to add it to the Ignore List so it's never flagged again.
The Care tab with all 12 modules ticked, from Privacy Sweep to Disk Optimization.
Speed Up: Turbo Boost, startup cleanup and automatic RAM release
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate's Speed Up page tells you how many startup items can be disabled or delayed and offers to fix them in one click. Turbo Boost switches off unneeded services and background apps in Work, Game or Economy mode (Economy is meant to stretch a laptop's battery). Real-time TuneUp runs a performance monitor with CPU, GPU and motherboard temperatures and frees up memory automatically as it fills.
Speed Up: Turbo Boost, Startup Optimizer and Real-time TuneUp, plus the cards that offer to install Driver Booster and IObit Uninstaller.
Software Updater and a Toolbox of 23 utilities
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate lists your outdated programs and updates them all with one click. Its Toolbox adds smaller tools, some downloaded the first time you open them: a file shredder that can also wipe free space, an undelete tool for files emptied from the Recycle Bin, a large file finder, a duplicate file scanner, a DNS protector, a context menu manager, a disk checker, and FaceID, which uses your webcam to photograph anyone who tries to use your PC while you're away.
Benefits
- One subscription instead of three. For around $26-30 a year you get the antivirus, the cleaner and the startup manager in a single license that covers up to three PCs.
- Mistakes can be undone. Rescue Center keeps a dated restore point for registry cleaning, system optimization, internet tweaks, registry defrag, startup changes and security fixes, and it can create Windows restore points too.
- Low effort. You can let it update itself, scan on a schedule and release memory in the background, then forget about it.
- Old PCs are still covered. Support back to Windows XP SP3 and 7 is rare for a current antivirus, and it lets you protect an old family PC with the same license.
Real-World Uses
- The parents' PC. Install it on a relative's slow Windows 10 laptop, turn on real-time protection and automatic updates, and the 2- or 3-PC plan covers your own machine as well.
- A C: drive that's nearly full. Run the Care scan with Junk File Clean ticked, then use the Large File Finder in the Toolbox to see what's taking the rest of the space.
- Pop-ups and a changed homepage. Run a Full Scan, then switch on Homepage Advisor and Surfing Protection so you're told the next time something changes your browser.
- Protecting a folder of documents from ransomware. Put tax returns or family photos in Safe Folder, which blocks untrusted programs from changing them.
- A gaming session. Switch Turbo Boost to Game mode to close background services, and turn on Auto Silent Mode in System Protection so the program switches to silent mode.
Who It's For, and Who Should Skip It
It suits home users who'd rather manage one program than several, people looking after a few family PCs on one license, and owners of older Windows 7 or 8 machines who still need an antivirus that supports them.
Skip it if you're happy with Microsoft Defender, which is free and already in Windows: buy Advanced SystemCare Pro or use the free edition for the cleaning tools alone. Skip it too if you're a technician who wants to control each tweak by hand (a dedicated startup manager and a standalone antivirus give you more say), if you dislike in-app offers for other products, or if you use a Mac. There's no Mac version (IObit's Mac cleaner is the separate MacBooster).
Usage Guide
- Install it. Download asc-ultimate-setup.exe (about 150 MB) and run it. Read each setup screen and decline any offers you don't want.
- Start the trial or register. New installs get 30 days with every feature. To register, click Enter code at the bottom left, paste your license code and click Register Now.
- Turn on protection. On the Antivirus tab, click Fix Now to switch on real-time protection and update the virus database, then run a Full Scan once.
- Check the settings before the first Care scan. Go to Settings and check what Privacy Sweep will clear (saved logins and cookies, for example), and close your browsers so their traces can be cleaned.
- Run Care. Press SCAN, open each module under Summary to see what it found, and right-click anything you want kept to ignore it. Then press Fix.
- Speed Up. Click Optimize on Startup Optimizer, and turn Turbo Boost on in the mode you want.
- Undo if needed. If something misbehaves after a fix, open Rescue Center and click Undo Changes next to that day's backup.
Rescue Center lists each registry backup by date and the number of changes, with an Undo Changes button for each.
Where it falls short
- The speed claims are IObit's own. "Make your PC 2X faster" and "3× faster" browsing are marketing figures. A cluttered PC will feel quicker after a cleanup, while a clean, recent one will gain little.
- Some tools need other IObit programs. Hardware Accelerator updates drivers through Driver Booster and App/Extension Cleaner through IObit Uninstaller, both separate installs.
- Some tools can do harm in the wrong hands. IObit's own manual warns that misusing Win Fix "may lead to unwanted results", and Privacy Sweep clears browser data you may want to keep.
- Ultimate lags behind Pro. Advanced SystemCare Pro moved to version 20 in September 2026, with a new Custom Clean tool for junk, duplicate and large files, while Ultimate is still on version 18.
- Installation and billing problems come up in reviews. Trustpilot has reports of Advanced SystemCare Ultimate failing to install on a new PC, and of auto-renewals that were hard to turn off.
What Users Say
The professional reviews are positive about value and ease of use and critical of the upselling. User opinion of IObit as a company is split between people who've used its tools happily for years and people angry about renewals and ads.
TechRadar (Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 15, March 2022)
Stefan Ionescu's review lists "Relatively cheap", "Ease to use", "Free version available" and "Protects your PC from malware" as reasons to buy, and "Free version has limited functionality", "Doesn't scan external files", "IObit tries to upsell you other software tools" and "Windows-only" as reasons to avoid. On installation he wrote: "One drawback we noted is that IObit inserts ads into the installation menu, which feels intrusive."
His verdict: "Advanced SystemCare Ultimate is a helpful tool to maintain, repair, and optimise your PC. It has the proper selection of tools to ensure your computer performs maximally and delivers that for a relatively low price. However, there are some drawbacks, such as being available only on Windows."
TechJury (Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 14, updated September 2024)
Maxym Chekalov ran a full scan on a PC that hadn't been cleaned in a year: "Overall, we were able to clean up a nice 2.5GBs of useless data with no negative consequences after several reboots and general use."
On security: "while we'd need to encounter threats to properly test its security features we did find that it could detect a questionable PC game cheat trainer. It asked us if we wanted to delete it – a file Windows itself had overlooked for weeks."
And the complaint every reviewer makes: "there's a little too much upselling of other premium products that we feel should be left only on the free version." The review lists "Affordable", "Nonintrusive widget" and "Combines cleaning, protection, and optimization" as pros, and "Prompts downloading separate tools", "Upsells other premium software" and "Some overhyping of features" as cons.
Trustpilot (IObit as a company: 4.6 from 2,526 reviews, 17% one-star)
The happy reviews come from long-term users. Chaplain Lori (September 2026, 5 stars): "I have used ASC Ultimate for years, as well as the Malware Fighter and more." malaya malaya (October 2025, 5 stars): "Thanks, I am using a free version but even so, IObit Advanced SystemCare is one of the best system tools available." Several recent 5-star reviews praise support staff for fixing license-code problems quickly.
The one-star reviews are about billing and ads more than the software. Aleksey (Netherlands, August 2026): "IObit charged me for a subscription I cancelled a year ago. Auto-renewal was enabled without my consent." Michael Hill (Spain, October 2026): "Watch a film and an IObit ad pops up in the middle of the screen." Guest_MKII (Norway, 2 stars): "A company that gives out "free" software, but misuses the software to spam its users with commercials and pop ups". A reviewer in Australia (September 2026): "Unable to install Driver Booster 12 and Advanced System Care Ultimate on my New PC."
Users quoted on IObit's product page
IObit picks these, so read them as the vendor's selection. Russell Peck: "I have used various versions of Advanced SystemCare for several years. When I looked at the features of Advanced SystemCare Ultimate I knew I had to have it. It has not disappointed me. One of the simplest yet effective programs I have found to keep all three of my computers healthy."
The pattern: people like that it's cheap, easy and does a lot in one scan, and long-time users stay for years. The complaints are about the upselling inside the program, auto-renewal, and ads from IObit's free tools, more than about the cleaning or protection itself.
Comparisons
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate vs Advanced SystemCare Pro
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate is Pro plus a full antivirus: the Antivirus tab with Bitdefender real-time scanning, anti-ransomware and browser protection. Pro is the better buy if you already trust Microsoft Defender or another antivirus. It's also on the newer version 20, while Ultimate is on 18.
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate vs IObit Malware Fighter Pro
IObit Malware Fighter Pro is IObit's standalone security product, also built on the Bitdefender engine plus IObit's own anti-malware engine, without the cleaning and speed-up tools. Choose Malware Fighter if you only want protection and already have a cleaner you like.
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate vs Microsoft Defender plus a free cleaner
Defender is free, built into Windows and updated by Microsoft, and Advanced SystemCare Free covers basic junk cleaning and startup tuning at no cost. That pairing does most of what Ultimate does. What you pay for with Ultimate is the deep registry and junk cleaning, automatic RAM release, Safe Folder, privacy protections and everything in one window.
Editions and Pricing
| Plan | List price | Price on October 24, 2026 | Term | Adds |
|---|
| 1 PC | $36.99 | $25.99 | 1 year | All features |
| 2 PCs | $44.59 | $28.99 | 1 year | Share with family members |
| 3 PCs | $49.99 | $29.99 | 1 year | Family sharing and dedicated support |
The Buy Now button on this page is for the 2-PC plan. The 3-PC plan costs only a dollar more, so it's the better value if you have a third PC. IObit runs promotions often, so the price on the order page may differ.
FAQs
Can I run Advanced SystemCare Ultimate alongside Norton, McAfee or another antivirus?
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate is a full real-time antivirus, so running it next to another one isn't a good idea: two real-time scanners slow the PC and can conflict. Pick one. If you want to keep your current antivirus, buy Advanced SystemCare Pro instead.
What happens when my Advanced SystemCare Ultimate subscription ends?
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate needs a valid license code to keep its features after the trial or subscription ends. You can renew from inside the program or on IObit's renewal page, and use My Subscription (the icon at the top right) to refresh the license and see the new expiry date.
Can I get a refund for Advanced SystemCare Ultimate if I don't like it?
Probably not. IObit's 60-day money-back guarantee excludes a change of mind and dissatisfaction with what the product does. It covers buying the wrong product or the same one twice, an auto-renewal you didn't get a reminder for, a license code that never arrives, and technical problems support can't solve. That's why the 30-day trial matters.
Can I move my Advanced SystemCare Ultimate license to a new PC?
Yes. IObit's support menu has a "Transfer to Another PC" option, and you can export your license for backup from My Subscription inside the program.
Does Advanced SystemCare Ultimate still work on Windows 7 and XP?
Yes. IObit lists Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista and XP SP3 for Advanced SystemCare Ultimate, which makes it one of the few current antivirus tools that still installs on those systems.
Will Advanced SystemCare Ultimate delete my saved passwords or cookies?
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate's Privacy Sweep clears browsing traces, and it sorts cookies into "Cookies to Delete" and "Cookies to Keep" lists. Move the sites you want to stay signed in to into the Keep list, or untick Privacy Sweep, before you press Fix.
Can I stop Advanced SystemCare Ultimate updating itself?
Yes. Advanced SystemCare Ultimate updates automatically by default, but its Settings let you choose to be reminded when an update is available, or to update at a scheduled time instead.
System Requirements
- Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista or XP SP3
- 500 MB of free disk space (the installer itself is about 150 MB)
- Screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or higher
- A webcam for FaceID, and the IObit Surfing Protection browser extension for email, ads and surfing protection
Conclusion
Advanced SystemCare Ultimate is worth its $26-30 a year if you want one program to handle both protection and cleanup on a few home PCs, and especially if one of them is an older Windows machine. The reason to buy it is the convenience: a Bitdefender-powered antivirus and IObit's thorough cleaning in one window, with a Rescue Center that makes its fixes reversible.
The main reason not to is that you may not need the antivirus half. Microsoft Defender is free, and if you keep it, Advanced SystemCare Pro is the cheaper and newer choice. Expect upselling either way, and use the 30-day trial to decide, because IObit won't refund you for simply changing your mind.
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