CCleaner Free v5.74.8198 (64-bit) Slow To Load

[PinguJohn]

Latest version of CCleaner Free v5.74.8198 (64-bit) takes much longer to load than previous versions.

Anyone else noticed this and is there a solution?

 

[nukecad]

I've not noticed it particularly with v5.74.

Just as a test you could try disconnecting from wifi/the internet and see if it then loads faster.

Obviously that's not something you would do normally, but it may point up if it's some setting for your internet connection that is slowing it down.

Also just to cover possibilities, which Windows version and what antivirus are you using ?

[PinguJohn]

Hi nukecad,

Disconnected from wifi/internet and this made no difference.

For information, the first time I run CCleaner after a reboot the loading is extremely slow, subsequent loadings are faster but not as fast as previous versions.

I am running Windows 10 Version 20H2 for x64-based Systems, fully up to date with Windows Update.

For internet security I am running McAfee LiveSafe.

 

[nukecad]

So that rules out any connection problem; good to rule that out but doesn't help you.

The next suspect with a new CCleaner version would be your Antivirus.
We often see problems with some AVs when a new version of CCleaner is released. (Certain AVs more than others).
Usually these clear themselves up as the AV definitions get updated, but it can sometimes take a few days (or even weeks with some).

So the next step that I would take is to check that your AV is up to date.
It's sometimes best to do that on their website, an AV can report that it is up to date when in fact it isn't.
(We had that issue with Trend Micro a couple of months ago. TM2019 reported it was up to date, but as soon as users went to the website and updated for free to TM2020 that cured their issues).

For McAfee LiveSafe: https://service.mcafee.com/webcenter/portal/oracle/webcenter/page/scopedMD/s55728c97_466d_4ddb_952d_05484ea932c6/Page29.jspx?wc.contextURL=%2Fspaces%2Fcp&articleId=TS101107&_afrLoop=1057254806589721&leftWidth=0%&showFooter=false&showHeader=false&rightWidth=0%&centerWidth=100%#!%40%40%3FshowFooter%3Dfalse%26_afrLoop%3D1057254806589721%26articleId%3DTS101107%26leftWidth%3D0%25%26showHeader%3Dfalse%26wc.contextURL%3D%2Fspaces%2Fcp%26rightWidth%3D0%25%26centerWidth%3D100%25%26_adf.ctrl-state%3D12j5saagn2_58

If updating the AV doesn't cure the slow loading of CCleaner then you could next try making CCleaner an exception in the AV.

 

Just to note that I once had a CCleaner that was very slow to launch on my machine.
A few others were also seeing it, but not the majority of users.
Rolling back to earlier CCeaner versions didn't help.
It turned out that it was something a Windows Update had done to my particular machine (and some other users) and nothing could cure it until the next Windows patch.

[Andavari]

Other possible reasons:
* Using an un-optimized community winapp2.ini file that contains numerous entries in it for software that isn't installed on your PC can cause a slow down, this is because CCleaner has to read the file contents. This also includes if using CCleaner Enhancer which is an unsupported add-on that also installs winapp2.ini. Removing entries from winapp2.ini that aren't installed on a PC will speed up the launching of CCleaner.
* As discovered a few months ago blocking URLs pointing to the CCleaner owners Avast and Piriform in the Windows HOSTS file are known to cause a slow down of at least 10 seconds or more.

[nukecad]

I hadn't considered winapp2.

The second one should have been ruled out by disconnecting from the net.

[PinguJohn]

Hi nukecad,

Checked that my McAfee LiveSafe is up to date using the method in the link you provided and every module of McAfee LiveSafe is up to date.

I also made CCleaner an exception in the AV and again this made no difference to the loading speed.

You say that rolling back to an earlier version of CCleaner may not help but I could try this to see if it does help in my case.

You may be correct in saying that it could be something to do with a Windows Update, because the following two Windows Updates were installed after updating CCleaner Free to v5.74.8198 (64-bit):-

2020-11 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 20H2 for x64-based Systems (KB4586781)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - v5.84 (KB890830)

Unfortunately, I do not understand the comments by Andavari about winapp2.ini as I do not know what it is or what it does.

 

[nukecad]

I wouldn't worry too much about winapp2.ini, it's an additional set of cleaning rules for things (apps, browsers, etc.) that CCleaner doesn't cover by default.
It includes a lot of extra rules so the full winapp2 can take time to load, most of the rules will be for things that you don't even have on your machine and so winapp2 users trim the list down to only what they need.
Winapp2 is semi-offical, it is not a Piriform product but is supported on this forum at: https://community.ccleaner.com/topic/32310-winapp2ini-additions/

 

You could try rolling back CCleaner a version to see if that makes a difference to the loading time.
If you do that then remember to go to Options>Updates and turn off both Automatic Product Updates (that won't be on anyway in any Free version before v5.74) and especially turn off 'Important Updates'; if you don't turn off 'Important Updates' then CCleaner will automatically update to v5.74 the next time you open it.
(v5.74 was released as an 'Important Update').

Just in case you need it to roll back here is a link to the v5.73 installer: https://download.ccleaner.com/ccsetup573.exe

If 5.73 also launches slowly for you then that would tend to suggest that it's likely something that Windows Update has done to your particular machine.

[PinguJohn]

Uninstalled v5.74 and reinstalled v5.73 from your link and now the launch speed is back to normal.

Will wait until the next update after v5.74 before I update again.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[nukecad]

Odd one, but strange things do happen sometimes.

That's partly because of everbodys PC being different, - different chips, different apps, different settings.

As long as 5.73 is working as you want then I'd stick with that for now and see what hapens with the next CCleaner version, or possibly the next Windows Update.