CCleaner ???????????

[anaron]

Just posted this in Windows 10 forum concerning Avast and CCleaner. First the malware issue and today, a new version 5.37.6309 has a "get avast free" notation and a check box with a very small mark in the bottom right corner of the box. Having vision issues is a real pain with normal computer operations but Avast intentional attempt to COVERTLY install Avast is a total disgrace! Never had to worry about installing ccleaner in the past, click custom, uncheck everything but auto updates and intelligent cookie scan . Unfortunately I ended up with Avast installed which I absolutely do not want - been there and done that! If I wanted Avast it would already be one my computer. May be time to start looking for something to replace Ccleaner as I do not need any programs that come from companies that find it necessary to resort to these sneaky and low life tactics. Any one know of a comparable program owned by another company?

Ron Burnes

 

[MSClin]

Wise Care 365 has every of CCleaner's features, actually it even have more useful features than CCleaner. Wise Care 365 is safe and reliable software if you wonder, I don't use it (because I don't need), but I've tested it many times and every feature works perfectly.

 

[HammerHead]

Ditto

I understand where you are coming from. The sad part is it is more often something else is offered than not.

 

[anaron]

Thanks, will research it!

 

[TechnoMage2016]

Just posted this in Windows 10 forum concerning Avast and CCleaner. First the malware issue and today, a new version 5.37.6309 has a "get avast free" notation and a check box with a very small mark in the bottom right corner of the box. Having vision issues is a real pain with normal computer operations but Avast intentional attempt to COVERTLY install Avast is a total disgrace! Never had to worry about installing ccleaner in the past, click custom, uncheck everything but auto updates and intelligent cookie scan . Unfortunately I ended up with Avast installed which I absolutely do not want - been there and done that! If I wanted Avast it would already be one my computer. May be time to start looking for something to replace Ccleaner as I do not need any programs that come from companies that find it necessary to resort to these sneaky and low life tactics. Any one know of a comparable program owned by another company?

Ron Burnes

As a working, professional, PC Tech, I can only make suggestions, for a PC that I cannot personally see or work on.

I have NO faith in Avast and won't use it.
For Windows 7, I'd rather just use Windows Defender. It's free and comes with Win-7. As for CCleaner, I've actually tried it twice over a several year period, and both times it rendered my PC totally UN-Bootable. I had to resort to the Restore of a Ghost Backup to restore my PC to operational status. So I don't want to let CCleaner anywhere near my PC.

If you feel like you absolutely MUST have a cleaner program, may I suggest "Windows Utilities". I tried the free trail and liked the program so much that I Bought it....and I hate buying software.

Good Luck, and Happy Computing!
TechnoMage

 

[anaron]

Absolutely agree on Avast and also use Defender. I have also used CCleaner for so many years I cannot remember when I started and absolutely endorse the program. I have never had any issues with it bit the pros or cons of the program is not the issue. The issue is the way Avast is covertly forcing a program I do not like nor want on to my computer. Granted, the option is there to untick the check box BUT individuals such as myself with up close vision issues have an extremely high probability of not seeing Avast's tiny little mark (which even with magnification, I cannot make out what the mark is). The proper way for Avast to present this option is to have the consumer check the box to install Avast, NOT the other way around. All Avast accomplished it is to make me avoid any and everything the have and are.
Ron Burnes

 

[MeOnMine]

Hi, Ccleaner does not offer Avast if you are updateing, only if you are installing fresh.
I updated yesterday and I don't have Avast installed.
Perhaps my Kaspersky ate it

 

[FreeBooter]

I have installed free version of CCleaner from below link there was only one check box it was for Google Chrome which i opt-out installation finish without Avast installing.

CCleaner - Free Download or try CCleaner Professional - Piriform

 

[CarlSD]

Hi, Ccleaner does not offer Avast if you are updateing, only if you are installing fresh.
I updated yesterday and I don't have Avast installed.
Perhaps my Kaspersky ate it

I just updated CCleaner from 536 to 537 and Avast was definitely offered (and ticked by default, of course).

And, as I mentioned on Ten Forums the other day, CCleaner also now creates an update entry in Task Scheduler even if you untick "Automatically check for updates to CCleaner" during the install. And I've checked to see that the update option is unticked in Options after the install is finished (it is) but the scheduled task is still there. I've disabled and deleted it, of course.

Looks like we're going to have to be extra careful using this program from here onwards.

 

[anaron]

The check mark they put in your box does not look like mine I honestly did not see because I was looking for an actual check mark! I can click the box and a real check mark appears!

 

[MeOnMine]

Before I posted my responce #7 above, I went to my Media Centre as that had not been updated and checked in the process and it Had NOTHING for Avast.
The 3 PC's here are all runing Free version.
I can't explain this one

I just thought, did you go through Ccleaner to update or did you go direct to the site and download.
I also only update via Piriform, I do that by moving to the bottom of the web page and clicking Piriform and then it will download from them.

 

[anaron]

When I open CCleaner, auto update will notify me if there is a new version and sends me to Pirform where I select the free version for the new update.

 

[MeOnMine]

When I open CCleaner, auto update will notify me if there is a new version and sends me to Pirform where I select the free version for the new update.

From my understanding you download from FileHippo via that method.
That is why I have always moved to the bottom of the page clicked on Ccleaner and that brings me to Piriform download.
I have not tested however I think that this is the difference.

edit spelling

 

[anaron]

FileHippo is correct however that has nothing to do with it. The direct download also has the Avast checkbox with the funny little mark. I did find a download that has nothing (so far) and that is CCleaner Portable.

I uninstalled ccleaner and avast using Revo uninstaller then opened regedit and took everything Avast out. I then reinstalled CCleaner 536 for now until I find something else.
Ron

 

[Sub Styler]

Shameful

Yes it's an awful and ever increasing practise of bundling software, its all for monetisation and shows disregard for the customer. I have never had trouble from CCleaner, Although recently running it on a friends pc for the fist time I too had to dodge avast, gone are the days of rapid clicking licence screens and setup prompts. They hide bundle bloat behind drop-down menus and in the fine print if you don't pay attention.

Also I dont like how they automatically throw you on to the Premium trial. It used to be opt in, now its opt out! I dont want ccleaner for active monitoring and on boot loading.

The same applies to Malware Byte anti Malware, Have to opt out of the active monitoring trial after setup and configure it to behave as the standalone scanner its always been at heart.

Too much crossover between applications these days, AV's want to boost your system, cleaners want to monitor actively, if every move your computer makes is going to be scrutinised by multiple applications you are going to see a significant drop in performance. As yet there is no all in one tool to slay them all, so it falls to us to make sure we configure software to suit its real purpose and avoid the bloat.

Rant over!

 

[CarlSD]

FileHippo is correct however that has nothing to do with it. The direct download also has the Avast checkbox with the funny little mark. I did find a download that has nothing (so far) and that is CCleaner Portable.

I uninstalled ccleaner and avast using Revo uninstaller then opened regedit and took everything Avast out. I then reinstalled CCleaner 536 for now until I find something else.
Ron

May seem like a bit of overkill but I've actually restored a Macrium Reflect image from November 1st where I had CCleaner 535 installed on my main PC. And, I won't be updating it from here on.

536 is probably OK but I'm a little wary since it was the first version to add the Task Scheduler update entry that I mentioned in my earlier post despite having "Automatically check for updates..." disabled in CCleaner options. The task can be disabled and deleted but I don't want to have to check every day to see if it has reappeared.

I've also checked my old W7 laptop (which I'm using at the moment) and fortunately I didn't get around to updating CCleaner past 535 so there it will also stay. I do have Macrium images for the laptop but they weren't needed in this case.

Finally, I have the 535 version safely 'archived' away for future use.

 

[anaron]

536 did not put anything in the task scheduler on my computer and I also have auto update disabled! Am considering going to the portable 537 as it shows no issues and is not installed on the computer. One less program taking up room. Did same thing with Revo Uninstaller.
Ron

 

[CarlSD]

536 did not put anything in the task scheduler on my computer and I also have auto update disabled!

Very strange. It seems like installing/updating CCleaner does different things for different people.

Like where it offers Google Chrome. Over the past couple of years I've noticed when updating CCleaner sometimes Chrome was offered and sometimes it wasn't. Almost like a random thing.

The task scheduler entry (if it is there) probably just notifies the user that an update is available and doesn't download and install it without permission but I keep thinking about Google Earth where it's Task Scheduler entries actually allowed it to download and install updates without asking.

I always used to wonder why a new Google Earth icon suddenly appeared on my desktop every couple of weeks (I keep my desktop icon free) until I eventually realized Google Earth had 'silently' downloaded and installed the latest update without asking.

 

[looked]

As a working, professional, PC Tech, I can only make suggestions, for a PC that I cannot personally see or work on.
As for CCleaner, I've actually tried it twice over a several year period, and both times it rendered my PC totally UN-Bootable

It was much better if you expressed your own "opinion" (which doesn't match with the reality) and avoided the Tech part.
CCleaner like any similar software is only suitable to people who know what they are doing, for example you don't just delete everything the scan tells you but you only select the files or entries which you were looking for.
I used to use CCleaner (before the hacking) for several years and very very frequently because I often test software so I need to eliminate the remaining garbage left, I never had any problem with it.
What I understand is too many people say they are PC specialists without knowing that the PC's knowledge can be anything from hardware to software, or to simply being just able to use office related programs, that is their meaning of PC expert!

 

[Barman58]

Everyone's experience and opinion will vary

Over many years as an IT Pro I have used the File Cleaning Cleaning options of CCleaner without any issue, I would never use any form of Registry Defragger or other tool to make changes to a system other than regedit, I have allowed some apps to produce a list of potentially bad or dangerous Settings - but then I will research the facts backup everything in such a way as I can restore the registry from a dead system or if needed restore the whole system to a point immediately prior to the change. I also work in a particular way, I never try to correct more than one perceived or potential fault at a time.

Reboot the system Before the change to any critical setting, (to ensure the system is working correctly before you change anything), Make a single change, Reboot the system to check that it still works correctly. This takes longer than the "Silver Bullet" but is less likely to ruin a system and potentially create losses of time and money