Hello All,
I have been using a few different system cleaners over the last
few months. I have notice that if I use one of the cleaners after
I have run another one, it comes back with a lot more things that
need to be cleaned. I have noticed this with all the apps, how is
it that you can get such different results ?
And can you recommend one or a combination of apps that I
should use.
Thanks
RalphG.
Hi Ralph,
Probably the most popular cleaner is CCleaner. You can download it here. CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download. As always with these be very careful with the registry cleaner.
I agree with kado that CCleaner is a good tool. But "user caution" is the best tool. A lot of cleaning tools use aggressive algorithms to determine what should be cleaned from your system. So some cleaning products might show additional items that need to be removed, even after using a competitor's product.
Windows 7 is pretty good at deciding what should or should not be cleaned. Using Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter should keep your system running well.
Disk Cleanup - Open and Use
Disk Defragmenter - Open and Use
But if you really want to use more agressive cleaning tools, especially registry cleaners, I would respectfully suggest you make a system image of your computer while it's still working properly. Then, when you clean something that shouldn't have been cleaned, and your computr goes belly up, you'll be able to return your machine to a working state in 30 minutes or less.
I have used CCleaner in the past, but found it can screw up your registry if you let it run in its most aggressive mode.
Using caution is wise advice and you'll do well to adopt marsimar's suggestions.
Thanks for the advice.
I think I'll try CCleaner and be carefull with the settings.
RalphG
I've run CCleaner on my systems for years and it goes on every system I build right away. I've never had an issue with it, running it on the default level. It has also helped me solve plenty of issues when troubleshooting systems.
Generic advice -
If you do NOT have knowledge of the registry, then you would probably be better off leaving it alone, and definitely not placing blind trust in a program to do the job for you.
Should you decide to go ahead -
Make sure you have
1.a current System Restore point created.
2.a recent "Back up" of your computer- preferably to an external HD.
My advice;
1). Screw around and test software and play with stuff in a virtual machine.
Therefore;
You aren't loading crap onto your main machine that you have to later clean off. I don't really use or advise using any system cleaners. Do, an Add/Remove programs, delete and folders left behind in Program Files...and otherwise just leave things alone. I find that many times the cleaners simply do more harm than good.
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