I don’t think I’m the only one who finds this forum software “less than intuitive” and helpful especially when compared to forum software like XenForo.
It’s been tough to track down useful info, and I’m wondering if users who ran into issues with version 7, or those who want to avoid potential problems, should stay with 6.39 or go ahead and upgrade to 7.x.
Hi Hmm888:
I would advise you stay with v6.39 for now while you look for another disk cleaner to replace CCleaner.
As you can see from the many complaints in this forum, CCleaner v7.x is an unmitigated disaster and is too dangerous to use in its present form. However, the unsupported CCleaner v6.39 will eventually become so outdated that you will risk damaging your Windows OS, browser(s), etc. when you run CCleaner v6.39 because your OS and/or third-party software will continue to change over time. For example, I stopped using CCleaner to clean my default Firefox browser years ago after Mozilla changed the way that Firefox stored browser extension data in the storage.sync file, and many users corrupted their Firefox browser extensions because Avast / Piriform was too slow to change the way that CCleaner was cleaning Firefox browser data - see circcc’s early warnings in their 01-Jul-2020 topic Problem with Firefox 79 [fixed in v5.70] that were ignored by Avast / Piriform until a bug fix was eventually released. Without further bug fixes CCleaner v6.39 will eventually become too dangerous to use.
Moving on to another disk cleaner was a simple decision for me. I’ve used the portable edition of CCleaner for over two decades, but the new service delivery model that Avast / Piriform has switched to for the poorly designed CCleaner v7.x (e.g., v7.x automatically loads at boot-up and can’t be turned off - see cevme’s 17-Dec-2025 CCleaner constantly running in background) means that CCleaner Portable v6.39 will be the final release for the portable build - see employee MrA’s 08-Oct-2025 post in my topic Builds Download Page Offering Outdated CCleaner Portable v6.39.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.6691 * Firefox v146.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25110.6-1.1.25110.1 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.4.5.226-146.0.5441 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * CCleaner Free Portable v6.39.11548 * HDCleaner Portable 64-Bit v2.095
Thank you for sharing your opinion. I’m surprised how few have voiced their opinion. I too have been using CCleaner since it’s inception way, way back back in 2003. I haven’t found anything (mind you I haven’t been actively looking) for a replacement. I don’t know if it’s allowed but if not, please send me a PM with some recommendations. Over the years, I haven’t found anything as “effective” and less destructive than CCleaner., I have used Norton back in the day and default browsing settings/cleaning just don’t cut it, at least for me anyways.
Ask yourself “Why am I using a cleaner” and “Just what do I want to achieve by cleaning” then use the answers to decide what you need.
Many (all) cleaners clear a lot more than is really needed - and then brag about how they clean more.
Remember that most of what they delete simply gets recreated either straight away or the next time an app is run. (Browsers are apps).
Think : Do you really need to clear temp files and log files to free up dusk space? In the past you may have done but drives today are massive compared to 10 or 15 years ago.
Most people these days want their internet history etc. cleared rather than wanting to save drive space.
Do you really need the other tools now included with most cleaners?
Cleaning the registry does very little, and has the risk of seriously messing things up.
Updating drivers is rarely needed, (if a driver is working OK then leave it alone), and has the risk of seriously messing things up.
Performance Optimiser(s)? If your computer is running slow then it probably needs a better processor. or the HDD changing to a SSD, or more RAM may help.
TBH, I have never seen running any PO noticably speed up a computer that doesn’t have a faulty process that should be fixed rather than just 'bypassed" by the PO stopping the faulty process running.
Generally the other tools included in cleaners just call up the built in Windows tools and nothing more.
Hi Hmm888:
The main problem I find with built-in Windows tools like Disk Cleaner is that they only clean the temporary Windows files in C:\Windows\Temp but do not clean the temporary files in the %TEMP% folder (i.e., in the hidden C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Local\Temp\ folder). I typically accumulate 300 - 400 MB of unwanted temporary files in my %TEMP% folder every week.
NOTE: If you enter %TEMP% in the address bar of File Explorer this will open your hidden C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Local\Temp\ folder, and you should be able to manually (and safely) delete any temporary files in that folder. As an extra precaution I configure any third-party disk cleaner I use to keep temporary files created in the past 24 hours.
I agree with nukecad that the tools built in to your Windows OS and browser generally do a good job of keeping clutter off your system, but I’ve sent you a private message about a few third-party tools I tested as possible replacements for CCleaner.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.6691 * Firefox v146.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25110.6-1.1.25110.1 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.4.5.226-146.0.5441 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * CCleaner Free Portable v6.39.11548 * HDCleaner Portable 64-Bit v2.095
i would also like to know what other options exist that are good. Message me.
For me, it’s essentially what you mentioned. Since around 2000 when ccleaner was first available, I have used every feature and ccleaner was/is the least “destructive” of all registry cleaners. I tried them all back in the day including Norton when it was the go-to cleaner and optimizer. I learned the hard way never to use any registry cleaner or registry defragmenter.Third party driver update tools are always a disaster.
I don’t want anything fancy and intrusive. As long as Ccleaner can be effective in removing all temporary files, customized folders including Windows and browsers, plus adding specific folders for cleaning like for standalone portable browsers, that’s all that matters to me. It also protects certain cookies (I manually select) from browser deletion so aside from auto-fill which ccleaner never did a good job, I never touch the “clear data” option unless in the browser unless I want to go nuclear.
Ccleaner has been etched in my brain now for more than 25 years, but many years ago the developers started messing with it in a very bad way to obtain more revenue and forcing updates and freezing etc.
Currently, I’m using the free portable version and that works well (for now).
What I want in a replacement is the ability to tell the cleaner which cookies I want to keep. To me, that has been CCleaner’s greatest feature for the last 20 years. I regularly access a 10 - 12 different sites every day. Being able to clean out 1000s of unnecessary temporary and cookies files while retaining the cookies for those 10 -12 sites so I don’t have to manually log in to each after each cleaning is not just a great time saver, it is extremely convenient - especially if, like me, you use unique passwords for each site.
Hi Digerati:
The disk cleaner I’m currently using as a replacement for CCleaner allows users to keep important cookies. We aren’t allowed to discuss CCleaner alternatives in this public forum so I’ve sent you a private message.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.6691 * Firefox v146.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25110.6-1.1.25110.1 * Malwarebytes Standard v5.4.6.227-147.0.5453 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * CCleaner Free Portable v6.39.11548 * HDCleaner Portable 64-Bit v2.095
please send me a private message too with an alternative. I am so fed up with ccleaner 7…
Although I have no idea how to access PMs in this community (I’m old-ish and not tech-savvy), I would appreciate some advice re an alternative to CCleaner.
I have been using it (paid-for version) for some +20yrs, on brother’s recommendation. Brother (tech-wizard) now sadly deceased, so have no tech support.
Updated CC = problems, managed to find this support community, managed to get back to previous version, but now do not have the confidence I once had in CC’s functionality
Thanks in advance to anyone who responds to this.
Hi perpetuallypuzzled:
Any post in this public CCleaner forum that mentions a competitor’s product will be edited or deleted by a Forum Moderator or CCleaner employee so I’ve sent you a private message instead.
To access your private message [sometimes called a personal message (PM) or direct message (DM)] log in to the forum, click on your account icon in the top-right corner of any web page, and choose the “Personal Messages” (envelope) icon from the menu to open the Messages tab of your user account. If you have any questions about my recommendations for a CCleaner replacement you can click the Reply link at the bottom of my private message.
From the CCleaner Community Participation Guidelines, which states in part:
Personal Message Policy
The Personal Message (PM) tool is available for any participant to contact any other participant or the moderator within the Community. Any PM is a personal correspondence between you and the participant to whom it is sent. Before posting any PM correspondence in a public board you must ask and receive permission to do so from the other participant. This policy also applies to email and others forms of communication.
Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.6809 * Firefox v147.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25110.6-1.1.25110.1 * Malwarebytes Standard v5.4.6.227-147.0.5453 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * CCleaner Free Portable v6.39.11548 * HDCleaner Portable 64-Bit v2.095
I never understood this rationale. Forum admins have access to our DM/PM. Competition is good, gatekeeping isn’t. I wouldn’t be surprised if eventually site admins will block such PMs in the future.
Does McDonalds let burger king advertise in their stores?
