Is it safe to use tools like ccleaner on an SSD?

hi, I have just got myself an SSD, I know it is unwise to defrag it but can I use tools like ccleaner without damaging/harming it?

Thanks,

Yes. It's safe. However it's not recommended to use CC's registry cleaner module...

Thanks, is it registry clearners in general or just the cc one?

My advice is to leave any registry cleaner well alone...

Hi there
Why on EARTH would you need to CCLEANER your machine --if your machine is that bad that you feel a need to do this then I would re-install W7 again from scratch on your nice new SSD and add applications as and when you need them.

Cheers
jimbo

er, jimbo - running ccleaner to get rid of some crap is slightly less time consuming than reinstalling the whole OS and software.

I have use Ccleaner on my ssd without any problems. I do not use any registry cleaner. IMHO if one doesn't keep a ssd clean it will fill up with a lot of junk very quickly. Due to the small size of most ssd's it doesn't take long.

Layback Bear said:

I have use Ccleaner on my ssd without any problems.

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Same here with my Intel 320 SSD for almost a year now. Thanks to CCleaner there's still < 20GB on the drive.

Use CCleaner regularly on my SSD with no issue. A Guy

It's safe but unless you know what to delete and what not to delete, it's probably best to not use registry cleaners

Exactly, and that's where it is so important to have CCleaner Enhancer which adds support for over 500 new programs in CCleaner. CCleaner Enhancer uses the winapp2.ini system built into CCleaner x32 and x64 to easily add new rules and definitions for programs. The rules were sourced mainly from the Piriform Support Forum.



Each entry added to CCleaner's duty roster is designated with an *. As of this posting there are a total of 63 additional applications tasks which freeware CCleaner Enhancer has added to CCleaner's roster of duties on my Win 7 x64 computer the removal of which each accounts for more temp files that I do not need cluttering up my SSD.

OK, I'm not hip to this stuff, but I was wondering the same thing . But wouldn't it be wasteful, pointless or maybe harmful to run ccleaner with the options set to Gutman method 35 passes? Because errrrr.... My dumbass has been doing that. It's a new SSD so I think I'll be ok, but I'm thinking that was dumb, no? And I suppose I'll look around some more, but I'm not really getting any definitive answers on securely deleting ANYTHING on my SSD. I get the jist of TRIM I suppose, but there's still info left behind. I don't know, maybe I sound like a dumbshit, but how would I make sure I can make something gone for good on my SSD?

Here we go again with the "Anti-CCleaner Brigade".

I have used CCleaner for many years now. I have NEVER had a problem with either the 'Cleaner' or the 'Registry Cleaner' parts. However, before installing (and regularly updating) CC, I used another product. This Reg Cleaner screwed my system, I have never forgotten it. I also know others who have used CC after other products, with the same experiences.

Can anyone on the Forum provide hard evidence that CCleaner harmed their machine?

When using CC's Reg Cleaner, before actually carrying out the Clean, the programme asks if you want to make a Registry Copy and store it in Documents (or anywhere you like.) I do that.

It isn't about Anti-CCleaner. It's about running a secure deletion on a SSD. 35 passes of writes on a SSD will just shorten it's life unnecessarily. If you were going to run a secure erase program, then CCleaner would be as good as any. A Guy

jimbo45 said:

Hi there
Why on EARTH would you need to CCLEANER your machine --if your machine is that bad that you feel a need to do this then I would re-install W7 again from scratch on your nice new SSD and add applications as and when you need them.

Cheers
jimbo

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I know this is a relatively old response, but it seems many like to keep their machines so squeaky clean that they run CCleaner as a scheduled task at every boot up and shut down.

Bertison said:

Can anyone on the Forum provide hard evidence that CCleaner harmed their machine?

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Yes. I've had 2 incidents recently, 1 was only a big deal to my son.

#1). Ran ccleaner on a machine to test something and it wiped out all of his Angry Birds Chrome saved game data. As a 4 year old who had cleared tons of levels, this was devastating.

#2). I've run the reg cleaner tools in the past on machines that were either infected with spyware or viruses. After getting rid of the problems above and having the machine more or less working pretty good, a run of the reg cleaner to make it even better resulted in a machine that wouldn't boot up. Found out later, that system restore points wouldn't work either, as they would crap out before completion (might have been the result of the virus or malware). Ultimately had to fix with a repair install of the OS. Had I not just "tried" CCleaner to eek out some more performance, I would have saved myself about 4 hours of work...< and of course since it was family, it was unpaid time too.

I used to use CCLeaner and CCenhancer, but CCEnhancer was too thorough and would often clear things that shouldn't be cleared (but, I had the settings on full blast) I don't use any optimization programs and my system still runs like new, correction, all of my computers (1 xp, 1 Win98, 1 Vista, and 2 Win7 pcs) run like new and I have NEVER used any tweaking/ optimization programs on them. Also, do NOT use the 35 pass wipe on an ssd. Maybe a 1 or 2 pass at most, but you would put a lot of wear on your ssd by doing 35 passes. I don't want ot start an arguement of Using CCLeaner vs not using ccleaner, but I felt the need to tell people that these aren't the 'ol XP days when people would get a bunch of viruses and 100's of updates and you would need to do that stuff. Windows 7 just doesn't need "cleaning" and "optimizing.".

This is a necessarily long reply, as I wish to respond to 3 forumites.

A guy:
You are correct, I am in the wrong in missing the point. I have no experience of SSD's and should have kept my mind on the OP's point.

pparks:
(i) To wipe out your son's saved data (& I hope the little guy is over it) CCl settings must have been at more than Default.
(ii) "Not Booting" & "System Restore points not working" are common faults after a malware infection. CCl cannot be blamed for that. If an A.V. is good enough, malware should be killed at source.

I like to keep it simple too, which is why I use CCl. It is simple to setup and simple to use without harm, if used properly and settings are examined with care.

Windude:
CCenhancer, like CCl, is fine if not used on (full blast" - i.e. with all Setting boxes ticked. I didn't believe I needed it, so after examining it thoroughly, I removed it. I do use another good Piriform programme though - "Speccy" which is the most complete programme I know of, for displaying every specification, component and peripheral on my machines.
Win7 is great, I agree, but it does not remove all the kludge that gets left behind in various pockets in your system. I wish it did.
With any programme I might wish to install, my rule is to examine it first, by using the ReadMe, PDF guide, any Reviews available, or manual. Before installation, I can the decide if it is potentially harmfull, useful or necessary, and act upon the information to use or discard the programme.

Bertison said:

pparks:
(i) To wipe out your son's saved data (& I hope the little guy is over it) CCl settings must have been at more than Default.

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It was not changed. I don't configure anything with Ccleaner. I just tested in a VM, with Angry Birds Chrome (chrome browser version of the game). Standard install of Ccleaner. Do a clean, save game progress GONE.

Bertison said:

(ii) "Not Booting" & "System Restore points not working" are common faults after a malware infection. CCl cannot be blamed for that. If an A.V. is good enough, malware should be killed at source.

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This is correct. However, the box "WAS" booting fine. I simply wanted to ensure that everything possible was removed and the box was running as best as it could, and after running ccleaner it was not booting any more. Trying to fix this problem using restore points was unsuccessful. Had I not used ccleaner and just left well enough alone, I could have saved these last few hours of work and just given them the machine back after I cleaned malware and it was booting ok.

I'm not universally saying to avoid ccleaner, but I'm saying that I have had experiences where Ccleaner was used on a machine and it started to have issues.

Heretikos said:

how would I make sure I can make something gone for good on my SSD?

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With what degree of certainty? How many decimal points? 3 nines? 444 nines?

Make sure someone with a net worth of 5000 dollars can't recover something? 5 million dollars?

Make sure the CIA can't recover something?

An SSD is worth only a few hundred bucks at most. If in doubt about security, consult a sledgehammer or blowtorch. You're only out a few hundred bucks and are 100% secure.

If you are unwilling to sledgehammer or blowtorch the drive, then you are by definition willing to settle for some degree of uncertainty. You've traded the last bit of certainty to save the few hundred dollars.

Mere mortals would use a drive wiper such as "clean all" from Diskpart within Windows.

I can address the issue with CCleaner and Angry Birds Chrome. The data was saved in the web-browser's cache, so when CCleaner is instructed to clean that out....so does the saved games. It's done the same for me with Cut The Rope, IE version.

I'm glad the proper information was finally posted, that CCleaner is a perfectly safe and useful app, especially when left at it's defaults.