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Downloadsbloat 3*

CCleaner

Clears junk files, caches and browsing traces to free up space on Windows

Free, with paid extras WindowsmacOSAndroidiOS

Bloat

3 · HEAVY*

Constant upgrade prompts, background monitoring and extra tools you did not ask for. But its installer may add other software — see the box below before you click anything.

What the numbers mean

⚠ Before you install: the installer carries offers

CCleaner's installer has offered other programs (Google Chrome, Avast or AVG antivirus); Microsoft Defender has flagged such installers as potentially unwanted since 2020.

  1. Download only from ccleaner.com.
  2. On the first installer screen, look for a ticked box or small text offering another program: untick it, or click Decline.
  3. If there is a Customize option, open it and untick everything you do not want.
  4. Afterwards, check Settings → Apps → Installed apps for a browser or antivirus you did not ask for.

The clean route: Windows already does the safe part: Settings → System → Storage → Storage Sense cleans temporary files without any extra program.

About

CCleaner is a Windows maintenance utility, now owned by Gen Digital, that removes temporary files, browser caches, cookies and other leftover data to recover disk space and clear traces of activity. The free edition provides standard cleaning, a basic Health Check that suggests quick fixes, and tools for uninstalling programs and controlling which apps start with Windows. CCleaner Professional adds scheduled and automatic cleaning, a Performance Optimizer that puts idle background programs to sleep, and driver and software updaters. Separate CCleaner apps are offered for macOS, Android and iOS. Because cleaning can sign you out of websites or clear saved app data, it is worth reviewing the selected items before running it.

  • Removes temporary files, caches and cookies
  • Basic Health Check with suggested fixes
  • Uninstall and startup-management tools
  • Professional adds scheduled cleaning and driver/software updaters

Before you download

  • The free edition is licensed for personal, non-commercial use only.
  • Scheduled and automatic cleaning, Performance Optimizer, Driver Updater and Software Updater require CCleaner Professional.
  • Some CCleaner installers have bundled third-party offers (such as Google Chrome, Avast or AVG); in 2020 Microsoft Defender began detecting those installers as potentially unwanted (PUA:Win32/CCleaner).

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