System Cleanup Series: CCleaner
This FREE blog post focuses on how to use CCleaner. This is part of my System Cleanup series.
This blog post is part of my System Cleanup series. I aim to be as transparent as possible about my process during the work I'll do on your computer, either remotely or in my home office. My process is more thorough than many other places. I cannot cover everything during the initial 15-minute Zoom or phone call.
Today, we’re getting familiar with the CCleaner tool. As it’s name suggests, this will help clean up junk files on your computer.
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This is a FREE program with a Pro version that I’ve honestly never felt the need to buy. They won’t harass you to do it, but there is some upselling during the initial install and occasionally when you first open the program, which you can quickly ignore.
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Don’t worry about most of what CCleaner offers. We’ll find what we need on the ‘Custom Clean’ tab.
I leave most of the checkboxes on the left as they are. Since most websites use “cookies," which take up very little space and are harmless, I uncheck cookies under each browser.
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I also choose to uncheck "download location history", and "internet history", as those also take up very little space, compared to something like the "internet cache", which are the web pages you've downloaded to view on your computer since you last ran CCleaner. Those files can significantly add up.
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Certain programs such as Firefox, Chrome, and Edge MUST be closed so that any junk files related to them can be removed. CCleaner will bug you to close those programs if they’re open.
I also recommend unchecking the box next to "Thumbnail Cache". These are the previews you see when browsing a folder. In Windows 10 and 11, it's strangely referred to as "Extra Large Icons".
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These thumbnails take up very little space, and are very handy to see previews of images or video files at a glance.
In Conclusion
Otherwise, clearing the junk files is a quick and easy process. These are generally web pages downloaded to your computer simply by surfing the internet.
Looking at something online, specifically webpage content, downloads it to your computer to display on your screen.
This was much more evident in the days of dial-up or if you had a slower internet connection. Images and whatnot would slowly load on the page. How webpages load these days on high-speed connections is less obvious.
CCleaner has other features, but I don’t bother with them. I use other programs and even settings in Windows itself to take care of those things. Take a look if you’re interested, though.
I will note the “Registry” feature. The registry DOES NOT need to be touched. It is effectively the brain of Windows. If something goes horribly wrong, Windows may not continue to work properly. This feature is offered just because they can, and it gives some additional sense of control. There is NEVER a good reason to make changes to the Registry for the minimal improvement that may result. It's just not worth it. Any tech who says otherwise should not be trusted.
Table of Contents
- How To Change Sleep and Hibernation Settings in Windows 11
- System Cleanup Series: Antivirus
- System Cleanup Series: CCleaner
- System Cleanup Series: Advanced System Care
- System Cleanup Series: How To Use PatchMyPC to Keep Your Programs Up to Date
- System Cleanup Series: Startup Items in Windows 11
- System Cleanup Series: Windows Update in Windows 11
- System Cleanup Series: A Guide On How To Use Driver Booster
- System Cleanup Series: Removing Malware and Spyware
- System Cleanup Series: Uninstall (Remove) Apps and Programs in Windows 10
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