I'm using Windows XP SP3 and have CCleaner version 2.01.507. I see there is an update but didn't do it because I have read about some issues with the current version. Anyway, I have basic knowledge of computers but when it comes to cleaning and/or deleting certain stuff from the computer I'm not sure what is safe to delete and what should be or is ok to be left alone. I know not to deal with the registry unless you really know what you're doing. My question is in the cleaner section there are two tabs Windows and Applications both have stuff already checked which I assume is by default. Is it ok to just run the cleaner with the box's that were automatically checked and hit clean or delete whatever it is that comes up after running the cleaner and in the Applications tab does it just clean up those applications or actually delete them? Sorry if I sound a bit naive about this stuff but just don't want to have some major problem. Thanks for any help I can get.
Don't worry cc wont delete applications when you run the cleaner.
And in most cases you wont miss any or the temporary files cleaned with the default settings.
Try browsing through the CCleaner documentation http://docs.piriform.com/ccleaner
then come back with any questions and for any clarification needed
Don't worry cc wont delete applications when you run the cleaner.And in most cases you wont miss any or the temporary files cleaned with the default settings.
Try browsing through the CCleaner documentation http://docs.piriform.com/ccleaner
then come back with any questions and for any clarification needed
Windows tab has: IE (Temp int Files, cookies, history, recently typed URL's, delete index.dat files and last download location), Windows Explorer (recent doc, run (in start menu), other explorer mru's), System (empty recycle bin, temp files, clip board, memory dumps, chkdsk file fragments, windows log files).
Application tab has: Safari (cookies, internet cache, internet history), Applications (nero burning rom, office 2003), Internet (google toolbar 4.0, sun java, yahoo toolbar), Multimedia (adobe flash player, quick time player, quick time player cache, real player, windows media player), Windows (MS management console, regedit)
All of these have the default check mark next to them. Is it safe to run the cleaner on all these and also you said it would not delete the applications but for instance in office 2003 is going to delete all the documents I have saved from something lets say I did in Word? I guess what I'm asking is it keeps all the applications but deletes everything you've ever done within them, so the Office 2003 will run just when I open it any documents I had saved won't be there? By the way, I did look over the link you posted and there is some good info I guess I'm just too worried about really messing something up that it really didn't seem clear enough as to what would happen. Thanks again for your patience and help, I really appreciate it.
For now until you feel comfortable with things, and have had time to look around the ccleaner discussion posts, just untick office under applications (to calm your nerves) and just clean the rest at the default settings.
Leave a reg clean (issues) alone for now.
CCleaner shouldn't actually delete you documents or any saved files.
It is the history of the opened/saved files that will be cleared.
but as hazelnut says, if you feel unsure just leave the box unticked.
Just a warning if you let it clean Office 2003 is it will wipe out your user customized settings for example in Word 2003.
CCleaner doesn't delete your documents created in Office 2003, it has no functionality to do that for any program.
Also don't be confused by Recent Documents being shown in CCleaner! Those are just temporary links to files/documents that Windows creates links to for the 'Start Menu->My Recent Documents' area, they're just links not that actual files/documents.