Boost Now vs Aggressive: one-click optimization

If you just want a faster PC without picking through 22 modules, BRUTAL gives you a one-click path. There are two intensities: a safe Boost that you can run any day, and an all-in Aggressive run that pushes everything your hardware can take. This page explains exactly what each one does, so you can choose honestly.

What one-click actually runs

Both modes are driven by the same engine. A single run does six things in order, and it always tells you what it did:

1. Creates a system restore point first, so the whole run is recoverable even beyond per-module undo.
2. Applies tier-aware optimization modules — only the ones that suit your detected hardware tier (LOW/MID/HIGH/ULTRA). It never forces a higher intensity than your machine warrants.
3. Cleans memory (trims working sets and purges the standby list to free physical RAM).
4. Clears safe junk — only the Safe junk categories, never Caution items and never the Recycle Bin.
5. Hardens privacy — switches on the non-Caution telemetry/ad-ID/activity toggles.
6. Starts Guardian background protection (Pro only).

When it finishes you get friendly result chips like "12 modules applied", "640 MB RAM freed", "1.2 GB junk cleared", "Restore point saved".

Boost (safe) — the everyday button

Boost runs the same tier sets as Smart Optimize, but it deliberately holds back the two boot/security modules: Module 11 (VBS/HVCI + Spectre disable) and Module 12 (Timer Resolution + HPET). Those change boot configuration via bcdedit and need a restart and a conscious opt-in, so Boost leaves them out. The result: Boost needs no reboot, touches nothing irreversible, and is safe to run whenever your PC feels sluggish or before a gaming session.

Aggressive — everything your tier can take

Aggressive applies every module from 1 to 22 at your machine's tier-appropriate intensity. It adds back exactly what Boost held out — Module 11 and Module 12 — which means it changes boot/timer/security settings. Because of that:

If you are on the Free tier, Aggressive still skips the five Pro-only deep modules (11, 16, 19, 20, 21) and nudges you to upgrade — it does not silently fail or pretend to apply them.

How to run it

1. Open BRUTAL (it runs as Administrator — that is required for registry and service changes).
2. Use the one-click action and choose Boost for the safe run, or Aggressive for the full run.
3. Watch the progress steps: restore point, modules, memory, junk, privacy, Guardian.
4. Read the result chips. If you see "Restart for full effect", reboot when convenient.

Which should I pick?

• Boost — first time, on weaker hardware, or any time you want a clean, no-reboot speed-up. This is the recommended default.
• Aggressive — you want maximum performance, you understand it changes boot/security settings, and you can restart afterwards.

Common issues / troubleshooting

• "Already optimized" chip — nothing meaningful changed because your system was already in the target state. That is normal, not an error.
• Restore point skipped — System Restore may be disabled or rate-limited by Windows; the run continues, but per-module undo still protects you.
• No measurable RAM/junk freed — BRUTAL re-measures and reports the actual freed bytes. A small or zero number just means there was little to reclaim; it will not invent a figure.