How does the CCleaner work? - A tutorial

The CCleaner is a general-purpose weapon against data garbage - With this tutorial we introduce you to the program and show you how to use the individual functions correctly.

First steps with the CCleaner

• Download the latest version of CCleaner for Windows or Mac OS from us.
• After the installation you can start the program. On the left side you will find the items "Cleaner", "Tools", "Settings" and under Windows "Registry". Before you start cleaning, you should take a quick look at the settings.
• Click on the menu item "Settings" and then on the sub-item "Cookies". Here you can exclude individual websites from the cleanup. This is useful if you are always logged on to a website, for example to check your mail. If no cookies are deleted here, you remain logged in on the website and do not have to log in again after each cleanup.
• It is also advisable to activate the "Delete files from the recycle bin only if they are older than 24 hours" option under the "Advanced" menu item. It is not uncommon that recently deleted files are still needed. However, these are difficult to restore.

CCleaner: Use the cleaning function correctly

With this function you can not only delete your traces from the browser, but also any other data garbage that accumulates on your computer over time. Your system will run a bit faster again.

1. Not only your installed browsers appear under "Applications", but also other programs. Here you can tick any point without hesitation. In browsers, however, you should make sure that the "Saved passwords" option is not activated.
2. In the "Windows" or "Mac OS" tab, it is also harmless to simply activate all items. For security reasons, beginners should only stay away from the "Advanced" category.
3. Once you have selected the desired points, click on the "Analyze" button below. The CCleaner now searches the selected paths for files that contain personal usage data or files that are no longer required. This scan can take up to a minute.
4. If this is completed, you will receive a list of the data and the total amount in MByte. To then clean up all this data, click on the "Start CCleaner" button at the bottom right of the window.

CCleaner for Windows: Clean up the registry

The menu item "Registry" only exists under Windows. You can use this to delete unnecessary entries in the registry. Such entries usually slow down your system.

• On the left side you can see a list of the files for which the CCleaner searches the registry. You can also activate all points here.
• If you click on the "Search for errors" button at the bottom left, a short scan starts. You will then be shown all the finds.
• Now click on the "Troubleshoot" button. You will be asked whether you want to save the changes to the registry. Confirm this question with "Yes" and save the file on your desktop. If errors occur unexpectedly, you can restore the registry by opening the file.
• Once the file is saved, click on the "Fix all selected errors" button.

Tools: Uninstall programs and remove autostart entries

There are five functions hidden under the item "Extras". However, laypersons should not make use of all of them:

• Uninstall: This function gives you a list of all programs, just like in the Windows Control Panel. These can not only be uninstalled here, but also renamed or deleted from the list.
• Autostart: This function is extremely useful and versatile. The "Windows" tab gives you a list of all programs that start with Windows. You can activate or deactivate them here if you wish. However, only do this for programs and services that you know are not required by your system.
• File search: With this function you can find duplicates on your hard drive. This can be helpful, for example, to find duplicate Word files. However, if you delete unsuspecting duplicates whose function and origin you do not know, errors can quickly occur in the system. Rather keep your hands off this!
• System restore: Here you can remove individual restore points. However, this is hardly worth it, since they only take up little storage space and can really help you in an emergency.
• Hard disk wiper: This function should only be used by experienced users. With this you can safely delete free space or entire hard drives.

On Windows, the CCleaner is one of the best and most popular system cleaners. On Mac OS, however, other programs such as OnyX are currently ahead.