CCleaner usefull links:

CCleaner - Home

CCleaner - Screenshots

CCleaner - Features

CCleaner - Help

CCleaner - FAQ

CCleaner Documentation - Piriform Docs

Using CCleaner - Piriform Docs

The main reason I like this program is I can select what I remove and check the results before the deletion/uninstall. This makes it a nice tool if you want to check an option and see the results.

Example: If I select Internet Explorer/Cookies, I can see which cookies I wish to delete.

The program has a clean layout which I realy like.There are four main functions listed on the left side. Clicking a button changes the right side of the screen.

The buttons include:

Cleaner allows you to remove files from Windows and other installed software/applications. This is what you will most likely use most often.

Issues this sections checks your system registry files and various shortcuts. It's not as strong as some registry cleaners but it is fast. It also allows you to backup entries you delete.

Tools this section allows you to uninstall programs/sofwtare. If you remove a program, it will look for the item uninstaller program. This option loads much faster than Add or Remove Programs which you find in Windows Control Panel.

Options This allows you to refine your program settings such as how to delete files. It is also where you mark any cookies you want saved.





The help files are a slight issue or lack of. It appears this area was kept to a minimum to reduce the size of the installer. I think there are ways to provide more help into the program and still keep the size small.

Example:The program could include tooltips or pop ups so when the user mouse over an item such as Old Prefetch Data, they would have a better idea of the item.


The Cleaning Process


I first checked the box for Internet Explorer on the Windows tab. By doing this, all related items were checked. This produced a series of alerts.The first one was index.dat. It warned me that the file wouldn't be deleted until my next reboot. The next alert was Autocomplete Form history and how I would lose any saved passwords. As you can tell the program does try to ensure you don't do something you'll regret.





One thing that may throw first time users is that the program will clean files based on your selections on the Windows tab and the Applications tab. The Applications tab shows many of your other programs such as browsers, Microsoft Office programs and so on. There is not a separate cleaning process for the Applications tab.

Once you make your selection, you can hit the Analyze button to see which items will be deleted. If any of the programs you selected are opened, the program will tell you to close them first. The program also shows you the estimated file size and the deletion method based on your options.





In the screen shot above,the progress panel shows all the items that will be deleted. If there were items you didn't want deleted, you just check the box.

Example:If you spotted a cookie you didn't want deleted, you could uncheck Cookies and go to Options to save the specific cookies.

To finish the clean up process, you click the Run Cleaner button. Again, CCleaner informs you the files will be permanently deleted when you click OK. The program will start to delete the files and a progress bar displays at the top. The program eventually displays a listing of the deleted files and states the cleaning is complete. You can also save a listing of the deleted files by right-clicking in the right pane and selecting Save to text file?

The Issues section works in a similar way.You select which areas the program should check and then clicks the Scan for Issues button. One difference is there are several options available when you right-click such as Select All or Deselect All. You can also open an item in RegEdit.




Deleting Index.dat

CCleaner also helps in removing their internet tracks, I wanted to see how CCleaner did in removing index.dat. If you're not familiar with this file, it's a hidden system file that catalogs every web page you've visited with Internet Explorer. Actually, it's a collection of files as you have one for cookies, cache and history.





After rebooting the system, it confirmed the contents were removed. Using CCleaner to remove the index.dat files is easier than rebooting the system into Safe Mode and deleting them.

Suggestions for First Time CCleaner Users

Below are some suggestions for people starting with this program. These are the type of suggestions I would give whether you're using CCleaner or a application.

1. Read the beginner's guide the company posted on their website. It gives more information on the program. The company also has a forum area where people can post questions.

2. Find out which cookies you want to save before doing your first cleaning.

3. Always use the Analyze button before Run Cleaner. It doesn't take that long.

4. Don't go crazy and delete everything on your first attempt. I would start with one category and see what the analysis shows.

5. Pay attention to the alert messages. I would be backup any registry entries if prompted.

6. Don't feel you have to delete everything just because an option exists. If you're not comfortable with an option or don't think it would help, don't use it.

7. If you remove large amounts of data or files, defragment your hard drive.