
Courtsey of http://pcsupport.about.com
CCleaner tops my list of free registry cleaners for several good reasons. Aside from being completely free and working with all versions of Windows, two additional things really stand out.
For one, I’ve never had CCleaner cause a problem in the Windows Registry, which some less-well-done registry repair tools do on a regular basis. And two, because it’s optionally available in a portable format (i.e. it doesn’t need to be installed).
Read my full CCleaner review below for a list of features, pros & cons, my opinions on the program, and some basic instructions, or head straight to their download page linked at the top of the page.
Important: Please download CCleaner from Piriform’s site only! There is at least one malicious program that imitates CCleaner but charges for the cleaning, so be careful.
Note: This review is of CCleaner v4.01.4093 which was released on April 25, 2013. Please let me knowif there’s a newer version I need to review.
Features
CCleaner works with 32-bit and 64-bit versions ofWindows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, plus older versions of Windows as well.
Two installation methods are available. The first is referred to as “Installer” and is a full install of CCleaner, which includes an option to also install Google Chrome and the Google Toolbar for IE. The second is the “Portable” version, which I recommend, and doesn’t require installation at all.
Note: A “Slim” version is also sometimes available, which is the same as the “Installer” option but without the Google software installation options.
CCleaner is actually more than just a registry cleaner tool. It’s probably more accurately called a system cleaner because it actually cleans a lot more than just your registry.
As far as the registry cleaning functions are concerned, CCleaner, like all registry cleaners, is primarily concerned with removing entries in the Windows Registry that refer to files, programs, or other resources that no longer exist.
For example, CCleaner will remove registry keys and registry values that point to programs and files that no longer exist in Windows. These abilities are exactly why running CCleaner, or another well designed registry cleaner, is a great troubleshooting step when faced with a “missing file” or “cannot find a file” sort of errors, especially as Windows starts.
Specifically, CCleaner will remove registry entries that point to the following if they no longer exist: DLL files, file extensions, COM/ActiveX objects, type libraries, applications and application paths, fonts, help files, installers, sound events, andservices.
Outside of the registry, CCleaner also removes temporary browser data like cookies, history, and the cache from all popular browsers. You can also do things like empty the Recycle Bin, clear MRU lists, empty the thumbnail cache in Windows, and much more.
CCleaner also has a “Tools” area where you can uninstall programs, view and change the programs that startup with Windows, find duplicate files, remove restore points, and even wipe a drive.
Pros & Cons
As you can see, there’s a lot to like about CCleaner:
Pros:
- Super small < 4 MB download size
- Multiple installation options
- Keeps cookies that it knows you probably don’t want to delete (like webmail logins)
- Unintrusive context menu addition to the Recycle Bin
- Long history of regular program updates
- A backup file is created before any changes to the registry are made
- Killer feature set
- Support for a variety of Windows versions
Cons:
- Standard download page is confusing and makes the program appear to cost money (which it doesn’t)
The Johnson Brother’s Thoughts On CCleaner
The product is very easy to utilizes and it’s free for our fellow online marketers to download. Get this application right away especially if your online a great deal.
Take care,
JB’s