BRUTAL Optimizer organizes everything behind a two-level navigation: a narrow rail of section icons down the left edge of the window, and a sidebar of pages that changes with the section you pick. Once you know that pattern, the whole app is easy to navigate. Here is the layout.
The left rail
Down the left edge you'll find:
- At the top, the B logo with your tier badge (LITE, PRO or ULTRA) and the version number under it.
- The section icons: Dashboard, PC Optimizer, Restore Files, Gaming, Smart Routing and Security. Hover over an icon to see its name.
- At the bottom, the light mode toggle and the Account icon.
Clicking a section icon opens its sidebar of pages next to the rail and switches the content. Pick a sidebar page to open it. Dashboard, Restore Files and Smart Routing are single pages, so they open full width with no sidebar. Some icons carry a small signal in the corner: a count on PC Optimizer when something is waiting for your decision, and a green dot or a red ! on Security.
What's under each section
- Dashboard: the live monitoring home (a single page).
- PC Optimizer: Overview, Optimize, System Health, Hardware Monitor, Benchmark, Driver Updates, App Updates, Install Residue, Disk Cleaner, Disk Analyzer, Drive Health, Startup Manager, Process Rules.
- Restore Files: finding and restoring deleted files (a single page).
- Gaming: Overview, Game Library, Game Profiles, PC Games, Emulators, Guardian, FPS Overlay, Network Optimizer, Ping Test.
- Smart Routing: Smart Route (a single page).
- Security: Overview, Security Center, Integrity Audit, Privacy Center.
- Account: Settings and License.
If your mouse wheel ever feels "stuck" over a card or list, just keep scrolling: the app re-routes the wheel to the page automatically so you never get trapped on an inner control.
The Dashboard, in detail
The Dashboard is your home page and updates every second. It shows:
- Your hardware tier (LOW / MID / HIGH / ULTRA) and uptime, with the one-click actions: Tune up now, Aggressive and Extreme.
- Live tiles for CPU, GPU and RAM, each with a 60-second graph, plus FPS and PING tiles that show a number only while a game is detected (otherwise a dash and "No game", never a fake number).
- A Needs you card: app updates, driver updates and junk worth clearing (and, when Smart Route has measured one, a better route), each with a Review link.
- A Readiness score out of 100, broken down by CPU, GPU and RAM (FPS is deliberately not part of the score: a render rate shouldn't inflate a readiness score).
- Guardian's status and its ledger of recent actions, and a Top memory users list.
- Quick actions: Optimize, Benchmark, Clean RAM and Restore.
Switching theme
Use the light mode toggle at the bottom of the left rail, just above Account, to switch between the dark theme and the light theme. Settings has the same switch with a label, plus the accent colour (Volt or Gold). The change is instant and applies everywhere.
The system tray
The app lives in the system tray (near the clock) when minimized. Closing the window with the X minimizes to the tray rather than quitting, so background features keep running. Right-click the tray icon for Open BRUTAL Optimizer, Run Guardian Now, and Exit. For the full details see Start with Windows and the system tray.
Banners you might see
- A renewal banner when a paid plan is near its end or in its grace period, with a Renew button.
- An announcement banner for occasional offers or notices, which you can dismiss.
- An update banner when a new version is ready, with Update now.
Common issues / troubleshooting
- There's no sidebar. Click a section icon in the left rail and the sidebar fills with that section's pages. Dashboard, Restore Files and Smart Routing are single pages, so they have no sidebar.
- FPS shows a dash. That's correct when no game is running; the app refuses to display a fake frame rate for the desktop.
- I can't find a feature. Features are grouped by section: disk and driver tools live under PC Optimizer, game tuning under Gaming, and your key under Account → License (the Account icon is at the bottom of the left rail).
FAQ
How is the app navigation organized?
Two levels: a rail of section icons down the left edge (Dashboard, PC Optimizer, Restore Files, Gaming, Smart Routing and Security, with Account at the bottom) and a sidebar of pages that changes with the section you choose. Click an icon, then a sidebar page.
Why does the FPS tile show a dash instead of a number?
Because no game is running. The app only shows a real frame rate while a game or emulator is detected, and refuses to display a fake render rate for the desktop. You'll see a number once a game starts.
How do I switch to light mode?
Use the light mode toggle at the bottom of the left rail, just above Account, or the labelled switch in Settings. The switch is instant and applies across the whole app.
Where do I find my license and settings?
Click Account at the bottom of the left rail, then choose Settings or License in the sidebar.