The cleaning, tuning and cleaning tool CCleaner from Piriform helps to keep the hard drive, Windows registry and the computer free of garbage. The software, which is free in the standard version, examines the entire system or parts of it for redundant, damaged, duplicate and temporary files.
Unwanted data can also be removed immediately with the cleaner. Piriform CCleaner also analyzes installed Internet browsers and, if desired, resets cookies and history. This again ensures a little more privacy on the net. Thanks to a Mac version, the whole thing also applies to systems running under macOS.
Which CCleaner Version Is Right For Me?
CCleaner is available in a free and various paid versions:
- The free version of the CCleaner, which we offer to download here, is aimed at beginners and private users. It is sufficient to clean the computer quickly and easily. However, the free version comes with adware if you don’t remove the checkmark during installation.
- Especially advanced users benefit from the additional functions of the paid version Ccleaner Professional for Windows Ccleaner Professional for Mac. In contrast to the free version, it offers real-time monitoring and premium support. The Ccleaner Professional license is valid for one year; If you do not renew them after the expiration, you can continue to use the Pro version, but you have to forego Premium Support and the Pro updates.
- CCleaner in the Professional Plus version offers the scope of Ccleaner Professional and also includes the tools for defragmenting the hard disk, data recovery and hardware inventory. This is also an annual license.
- The Business Edition of CCleaner is aimed at companies and is suitable for use in the company network. This license is not interesting for private users.
Clean Internet Browser, Hard Drives Or Registry
After starting CCleaner, it spits out an extensive list of programs and services that are recognized and analyzed and cleaned by default. When optimizing, the program differentiates between system entries and those of other manufacturers.
One of the tabs includes Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Windows Explorer and the Windows operating system itself. The tab of the third-party software includes, for example, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Thunderbird, but also Steam, Adobe Reader or the VLC media player.
Order For Chrome, Firefox And Edge
In the case of the web browser, the CCleaner also takes care of the website history, the downloads, the cache and the cookies. For example, auto-completion fields remain empty after cleaning. This generally ensures more surf security and anonymity – but at the same time reduces the convenience of virtual movement through the Internet. If you want to keep the corresponding elements, you can and should remove the corresponding checkmarks before the cleaning process.
As mentioned, the CCleaner can also deal with less popular browser members. If you use niche programs such as the Maxthon Browser, K-Meleon or Flock, the CCleaner still helps with cleaning up. If the program’s standard checklist is not enough, you can make it even more extensive with a free add-on – called CCEnhancer.
After you have set or removed all the desired hooks and checked the system with a click on “Analyze”, you can start the actual cleaning. The CCleaner shows in advance how much storage space can be freed up by one. Here, too, you can review all entries that have been marked for cleaning.
If there are files or other virtual objects that you want to keep, you can also save them by removing the tick from the plaster. By clicking on “Start CCleaner” you start the cleaning process, which can take a few minutes depending on the amount of data to be removed. After the run, you will be shown again how much storage space has actually been released.
Clean Windows Registry
By default, you can then switch from the “Cleaner” tab to the “Registry” tab, where you can “attach” cleaning of the Windows registry database directly. The registry cleaner shows some entries where the analysis checkmark can be removed if desired.
You can do just that by searching for errors. All items found – such as missing, shared DLLs or unused file extensions – are listed. By clicking on “Troubleshoot” you get the opportunity to set a system restore point by default.
The registry is known to be fragile and has a strong impact on system stability. So if something goes wrong here, this can lead to problems. Then you can let the CCleaner fix all the detected errors in one go – or you can go through them one after the other. Depending on the number and importance of the registry entries found, cleaning can ensure more stability and speed of the Windows system.
Optimize System Start
The CCleaner has even more functions to offer. The “Extras” tab has a lot more in store. Programs can be uninstalled from here without having to go to the Windows Software Manager or the entries in the autostart list can be edited.
The latter can, for example, speed up the computer when the system is started by deactivating unnecessary programs, services and browser add-ons and extensions and the like. The tools also include a tool for detecting and removing file duplicates, a disk wiper that completely cleans hard drives, and a system recovery. The latter can and should help, of course, if something really goes wrong.
Portable Version And CCleaner Apps
For use on mobile devices, there is the CCleaner app for Android, also from Piriform, among the cleaner apps. This app can be used on supported smartphones and tablets. There is the CCleaner Portable for the USB stick, which can be started as a portable version without installation.
The CCleaner Portable is also available from us as a download, which also requires administrator rights so that the registry can be cleaned.
The CCleaner is available as freeware from Piriform for private, non-commercial use. The software is alternatively available in various extended and paid versions. The CCleaner Professional version is also aimed at private users but has extended support and automatic updates.
The standard version either searches for the latest version during installation or you have to search for the last update yourself via the CCleaner interface.
The CCleaner Professional Plus Edition also brings the Piriform programs Defraggler and Recuva With. The latter two tools are also available for download separately from us in their freeware versions. The paid versions Business, Technician, Network and Network Professional offer an extended range of functions and are therefore aimed particularly at professional users and commercial use in companies.
The Technician Edition includes developer tools, the network variants can analyze, optimize and clean up multiple endpoint computers in the network from a distance.
