How to Use CCleaner to Free Up PC Storage and Improve Performance

CCleaner has been a staple in Windows system optimization for many years, and next year marks its two-decade milestone.

Its lasting popularity is evident, with the developers reporting nearly three billion downloads worldwide. To help you maximize its benefits, here’s a comprehensive guide on optimizing your system effectively.

Note: The double ‘C’ at the start isn’t a typo; it originates from the software’s original name, Crap Cleaner.

The program purges files with precision and intelligence, taking care not to delete crucial system files nor log-in credentials, including those for email and similar services, which would require re-logging.

The installation process for CCleaner is straightforward, guided by an easy-to-follow setup wizard. There’s also a portable option that requires no installation, which you can carry on a USB drive to run on other Windows PCs.

A quick tip before starting: disable all pre-checked options under “Options -> Privacy” to prevent data from being sent to the software provider.

Effortlessly optimize your system and storage with just a few clicks

Upon launch, CCleaner prompts you to run an initial scan. Initiate this by clicking the central Scan button. You can rerun scans anytime later by clicking on Scan PC.

If essential programs like browsers are open during the scan, the software will ask you to close them beforehand.

The analysis typically results in recommendations to delete hundreds or even thousands of files. You’ll also see how much space can be reclaimed on your drive. Confirm by clicking Clean to execute the cleanup against the suggestions.

Sam Singleton

The “Health Check” provides a quick overview, but for more control, “Advanced Cleanup” offers detailed options divided into two categories: “Windows” and “Applications”.

In the “Windows” section, you can selectively choose what files or settings to delete—such as temporary downloads or compressed files—while keeping important data like images or documents intact.

Most options are self-explanatory and pose minimal risk to system stability. Select the desired items and click Analyze followed by Start Cleaner to perform the cleanup.

The free edition also includes tools beyond core cleanup and space clearing. These tools are accessible via the “Extras” menu on the left.

The “Uninstall” feature lists all installed programs, similar to Windows’ Control Panel or Settings > Apps. Regularly review this list to remove unneeded software or duplicates.

CCleaner also displays certain Microsoft services that cannot be uninstalled through Windows—like “Request help.”

“Registry” repair is the only function generally not recommended; it often finds thousands of registry issues but risks corrupting your system. If you choose to proceed, ensure you back up the registry beforehand, and confirm each fix manually.

Sam Singleton

“Autostart” reveals programs configured to run upon boot, comparable to Windows’ task manager under “Startup”, along with entries in “Scheduled Tasks” and “Context Menu” tabs. While you can disable these entries, full removal requires manual intervention or system tweaks.

The “Browser Plugins” section displays installed extensions for different browsers. You can deactivate, reactivate, or completely remove each plugin, allowing for quick customization of your browsing environment.

Post-analysis, filtering by file format (like JPG, PNG, etc.) is possible, enabling targeted deletion of specific data types.

The “Duplicate Finder” scans for duplicate files—those occupying unnecessary space—based on criteria you define, such as minimum file size. While this function is useful, dedicated tools like “Alldup” provide more comprehensive duplicate search options.

“System Restore” facilitates the deletion of obsolete restore points, freeing potentially gigabytes of disk space.

“Hard Drive Wiper” securely erases data from drives or partitions. It supports wiping free space or entire drives—excluding the system partition—and ensures deleted files cannot be recovered by overwriting data multiple times. Keep in mind, the process may cause minor SSD wear, but this is usually not a concern for occasional use.

Is subscribing to CCleaner Pro justified?

Beyond basic cleaning, the Pro version unlocks additional modules: “Performance Optimizer,” “Driver Updater,” and “Software Updater,” often marked with alerts indicating issues detected. These advanced features are unavailable in the free version.

Subscription costs are approximately $44.95 annually for one device, $64.95 for up to three devices, or $79.95 for two years covering multiple devices.

If you prefer free solutions, alternatives like Snappy Driver Installer (SDI Lite), UnigetUI, Alldup, or Revo Uninstaller can handle driver updates and software management with comparable or superior capabilities, often at no cost.

CCleaner on mobile devices

The Android and iPhone versions of CCleaner are available via Google Play and the App Store. These apps assist in removing unnecessary files, effectively freeing up space on internal storage or SD cards, just like the desktop version.

Sam Singleton

Quick access to “memory hogs” is convenient through this app, which mostly redirects users to the existing system options for cleaning, though it simplifies the process.

More advanced features are generally reserved for the Pro version, with the free app mainly providing basic cleaning functions explicitly highlighted by the developer.