Windows 10 is warning users not to install CCleaner (2024)

FAQs

What is the Microsoft answer to CCleaner? ›

Microsoft has created a PC Manager app for Windows 10 and above computers. It works a lot like CCleaner to boost PC performance and clean up systems.

In fact, you don't have to worry that issue. Windows 10 has plenty of built-in features that can replace CCleaner's functions. Certainly, if you would like to find a third-party tool to optimize and clean your PC or replace CCleaner, atomiccleaner, BleachBit as well as Space Analyzer are strongly recommended.

According to a survey, some certain antivirus software is one of the most common reasons why CCleaner won't open Windows 10. In order to run this program smoothly, you can temporarily disable your third-party antivirus software like Avast and even Windows Defender.

It has been reported that a version of Piriform CCleaner.exe has been compromised/trojanized resulting in the installation of multi-stage backdoor capable of receiving instructions from threat actors on affected systems.

Which versions of CCleaner have the malware? Piriform says it believes the 32-bit Windows version 5.33. 6162 of CCleaner and version 1.07. 3191 of CCleaner Cloud were modified illicitly before their release to users.

The 5.3 version of CCleaner that got compromised produced two payloads of malware. The first spread installed spyware called Floxif on the computers. The spyware gathered the data of all running processes.

Glary Utilities is yet another great Windows registry cleaner for Windows and Android applications. It is the best alternative to CCleaner as it comes with similar features. You can repair the Windows registry, backup and restore drivers, remove duplicate files and empty folders, and manage the context menu.

Professional Trial

Use CCleaner Professional for 14 days, for free. Once your trial is over you'll automatically drop down to CCleaner Free, so it won't cost you a thing.

Quicker Startup

Many programs run silently in the background when you start up your computer. CCleaner helps you speed up your PC's boot time by letting you disable unneeded programs. Runs on Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 7. Including both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Does CCleaner work for all users? ›

CCleaner cleans out folders only for the currently logged-in user. So to get the whole PC cleaned, I have to log into each user and run CCleaner separately.

Windows Disk Cleanup: The Go-To Windows Solution

Simply type Disk Cleanup into the search menu and open the program that appears. After that, choose the drive you'd like to clean and check or uncheck the boxes next to the types of files you want to keep or remove.

CCleaner is fine. It is completely safe as long as you don't us its registry cleaning functionality. CCleaner's registry cleaning is much safer that that of other registry cleaners, bot none of them is completely safe.

In 2017, CCleaner was compromised by hackers who planted malware in the software to spy on more than two million users. The tool maker said that the hackers specifically targeted high-profile tech companies and telecom giants.

Yes. CCleaner is both secure and safe to use.

If you want to clean your computer you can use disk cleanup which is a built in cleaner in Windows computer. Visit this link on how to perform disk cleanup.

Now, Windows Latest has spotted that the PC Manager app is available for download from the Microsoft Store and is also available in more regions including the US. You can use PC Cleaner in both Windows 10 and Windows 11 as it's supported on both operating systems.

Yes, Microsoft does have a PC cleaner called "Microsoft Safety Scanner" which is a free, stand-alone antivirus and PC cleaning tool that can be used to remove malware and other unwanted software from a computer.

Windows: A family of Microsoft operating systems that run across personal computers, tablets, laptops, phones, internet of things devices, self-contained mixed reality headsets, large collaboration screens, and other devices. Network: A group of devices that communicate either wirelessly or via a physical connection.