CCleaner is a device maintenance and management tool. It includes a driver updater, PC health checks, and automated app updates to keep your machine running at peak performance.
CCleaner can be set to clean your cache, history, and cookies after each browsing session. This feature safeguards your online privacy while also improving browser performance.
Piriform is the company that created CCleaner. It is a British software company that is a subsidiary of Avast, the Czech cybersecurity software behemoth. Piriform had been a privately held company for nearly a decade before being acquired by Avast in 2017.
We will evaluate Piriform’s CCleaner based on its features, pricing, benefits, and drawbacks.
Pricing and Plans
CCleaner Free is a free version of the program. However, compared to the paid tier, it lacks several features.
It also offers a paid subscription service for Android and Windows computers. A one-year license with a set number of devices can be purchased. Its various pricing plans include:
• CCLEANER for Android – from $3.98 (One-year license for one device)
• CCLEANER PROFESSIONAL – from $10.11 (One-license for 1PC)
• CCLEANER PROFESSIONAL PLUS – from $29.95 (One-license for 3PCs)
The software can be downloaded from the CCleaner website. Payment methods accepted include PayPal and credit/debit cards. The Professional version is available for a 14-day free trial.
Your full name and email address will be required as basic client information. When you complete the process, an activation key will be sent to your specified email address.
Features
The key features of CCleaner are:
PC Cleaning
The free CCleaner program provides basic system cleaning and optimization functions, such as cleaning junk files, cookies, and caches, among other things, to help a computer run faster. The Professional Plus version has far more features, including a powerful cleanup module that speeds up your system and checks its health to give you suggestions on improving PC performance.
Startup Optimization
CCleaner includes a useful Startup Optimization feature that allows you to disable unnecessary programs that run at startup. This is especially useful for maintaining and optimizing Windows, as startup programs tend to increase boot time and have an impact on PC performance. The Startup Manager can also be used to disable third-party apps and services that are launched when Windows boots up.
Privacy Protection
Every time you close a browser, CCleaner protects your online privacy by removing browsing data such as history, cookies, cache, and tracking files. You can choose which browser data to delete and which not to delete to protect your privacy while not slowing down the loading speed of frequently used or visited websites.
Registry Cleaner
The Registry Cleaner is a straightforward feature that detects and removes damaged registry entries such as ActiveX controls, corrupt files, fonts, help files, shared file paths, shortcut messages, and more.
Scheduled Cleaning
CCleaner cleans your system automatically at a predetermined time and date. Schedule an automatic clean for your PC and let CCleaner do its magic. Auto RAM cleans out unused or high-impact programs and processes that slow down your system.
Real-time Monitoring
When real-time monitoring is enabled, CCleaner runs in the background. This feature notifies you when it is possible to free space and how much space can be freed. Keeping the program running in the background can be detrimental to the purpose for which you are using it in the first place because background apps slow down the system and increase boot time.
Disk Defragmentation
Defragmentation is not built into CCleaner but is available as a separate program with the Professional Plus version, Defraggler. The Defraggler frees up hard disc space, allowing it to remain healthy and operational. This feature can defragment SSDs as well as hard drives.
Software Updater
This feature automatically updates your apps and browsers to reduce security vulnerabilities. While CCleaner Professional Plus automatically updates to the latest version, it notifies you when other apps in your system require updates.
Customer Service
You can get premium customer support with CCleaner Professional Plus, which puts you ahead of the queue that users of the free version must wait in. A helpful help center and FAQ page also answer the most frequently asked questions.
The most recent reported hack on this Avast-controlled app occurred in 2019. And it was a failure.
Pros
• The installation process is relatively quick.
• It is a low-cost product with an easy-to-use control panel.
• It is regularly updated.
• It is a powerful all-in-one PC cleaning utility.
• It can save cookies that you probably do not want to delete, such as login information.
Cons
• The software is included during the installation. If you don’t need it, you must manually disable it or uninstall it after installation.
• There is no iOS version available.
Conclusion
With millions of users, CCleaner remains the most popular and useful PC cleanup and performance utility. Few competitors can match the user selection of PC utilities it offers at a reasonable price. It now offers business solutions as well as Mac and Android apps.
CCleaner remains one of the best and most convenient device maintenance products, providing a wide range of performance and garbage cleaning options at an affordable price.
FAQs
- Is CCleaner infected with a virus?
No, CCleaner is a legitimate Windows, Mac, and Android app. Piriform created it, but Avast now has control over it. It has been around since 2004.
- How frequently should you run CCleaner?
If you use your computer for several hours every day, cleaning it once or twice a week may suffice. Most of the data cleaned by CCleaner comes from your web browsers.
- Will CCleaner delete files permanently?
Clear: Remove and replace data with zeros. This would be accomplished using the CCleaner Drive Wiper method. Purge: All files will be permanently erased using the hard drive’s “Secure Erase” command.
- Is it possible to recover files after using CCleaner?
Yes, if you used CCleaner to clean up your junk on your phone and accidentally deleted important files, you can recover those files on Android using a tool like Disk Drill.
- Is it possible to use CCleaner as an antivirus?
CCleaner does not detect or remove viruses, spyware, or malware. Even if you’re an experienced internet user, we always recommend installing a modern antivirus program to protect yourself from computer viruses and malicious software.