How to Use CCleaner to Improve Windows Performance
CCleaner — Make Windows Faster, More Stable & Free Up Space
Recently, we talked about 8 must have Windows utilities.
Some improved Window’s default functionality via replacement utilities. Some of the top must have utilities improved security and privacy.
But, CCleaner provides a critical function for high-performance Windows computing that doesn’t even exist in a standard Windows installation.
Junk Files, Junk Registry Entries, Junk Cookies — Just Some of What Slows Down Windows
Membership in the group of people who think that Windows is tight, highly-efficient code is limited to those who have spent time in a rubber room. It is no secret that the Windows code-base has bloated over the years. What is less commonly known is just how much junk gets left lying around your PC.
Whether it’s Windows not cleaning up after itself, or other applications littering temp files all over your disk, if you’ve never run a system cleaner before, you’ll be shocked at how much clutter is hampering the performance of your computer. It’s not uncommon to free up hundreds of megabytes of disk space.
It isn’t just temporary files either. Internet browser cookies litter your hard drive, taking up valuable disk space and potentially compromising your privacy as well.
While well behaved cookies can improve your surfing experience, it is not unusual for cookies to be set with expiration dates of 2030.
Sure, your browser comes with an option to delete cookies, but it’s a little bit like the walk button on some street lights.
It does something but it doesn’t do everything you think it does. That delete cookies button deletes some cookies, but there are plenty of cracks to hide in.
Worst of all is the tangle of entries that get left behind in the registry. Unlike temporary files and cookies, the average user has virtually no way to go through and clean up the mess left behind in the registry. Fortunately, you don’t have to, CCleaner takes care of that as well.
How To Use CCleaner
One of the great things about CCleaner is that it comes ready to handle most everyday problems without any configuration required. By default, CCleaner analyzes and deletes all the junk it can find. For most users, this setting is perfect. However, if there are reasons to not mess with certain items, skipping them is as easy as unchecking a box.
Choose whether to Analyze, which returns a report of everything that CCleaner detects or go straight to Run Cleaner which detects and removes all offending items. The two tabs allow users to clean not just Windows, but several other supported applications as well, including all major browsers and their cookies.
Down the left side are three simple operations to choose from: Cleaner, Registry and Tools.
Cleaner takes care of files and cookies, while Registry cleans up the registry by deleting orphaned and other unused keys. Don’t worry, the program asks to create a backup copy first, though I’ve never had an issue arise from running the registry cleaner.
Finally, Tools provides some useful utilities including a startup manager by which you can stop programs from running on startup. Unfortunately, software vendors have decided that they are smarter than the people that use their programs so more and more of them are writing their apps to re-insert themselves into the startup sequence, so your mileage may vary when it comes to using the tool.
The final Options tab allows you to tweak how CCleaner works. Play around with the settings and customize how CCleaner works for your Windows.
Next Time …
Stay tuned — in my next article I’ll show you how to use yet another must have Windows utility.
Related Posts:
- 8 Must Have Windows Utilities
- A Free & Easy Way To Improve Your Vista’s Performance
- Most Important Windows Utilities: Backup Software
- Speed Up Your Windows Easily with Disk Defragmenting
- Speed Up Windows Programs By Replacing Acrobat Reader
- Install Windows 7 RC, Keep Windows XP
- Upgrading from XP To Windows 7? Here’s How to Do it Right
4 Responses to “How to Use CCleaner to Improve Windows Performance”
M-YAQOOB Says:
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:57 am
Hi,
Brian
This very Good and useful Information to us.
well you have done very good Job
keep it up
Thanks :-)
Jerome @ registry clean up site Says:
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I like your blog. Registry cleaning has helped me a couple of times avoid my laptop from crashing. It is great that you offer good tips on this. Thanks!
Lois @ registry clean up site Says:
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Very insighful post. Additionally, application events (appevents) that are associated with sound are checked for validity with a good registry cleaner.
Reopen Last Browsing Session Internet Explorer 8 By Default – Computers – Internet : Best Hubris Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
[...] I can use Private Mode browsing. I can delete cookies. I can delete history. I can use CCleaner. In other words, I don’t need Microsoft to be my mommy and wipe my nose and watch out for [...]