Jul302012

What’s the best free software for cleaning up my computer?

joseph sam asks:

I want to get rid of unwanted files, duplicate files and pictures. I want to clean old updates that have been upgraded and check for missing files to help my computer run faster and be safe on the internet.


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System: Windows
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38 Answers -

0 votes

Bruce Epper

July 30, 2012

CCleaner gets rid of most of the junk files, old updates, etc. Duplicate Files Finder (got it from Sourceforge but no longer appears to be there) excels at finding duplicate files – just be careful of what you tell it to remove. Glary Utilities also performs many of these functions.

Filipe Costa

Using it from some years ago and always haapy with it.

September 1, 2012
0 votes

Dalsan

July 30, 2012

CCleaner works well for registry and junk file cleaning, Gary Utilities might do more of what you want, but needs extra care for preventing deletion of the wrong items, Duplicate File Finder found here: http://voxel.dl.sourceforge.net/project/doubles/Duplicate%20Files%20Finder/0.8.0/dupfinder-0.8.0-source_and_binaries.tar.gz

Apparently Bruce and I are on the same wavelength with this.

0 votes

Muhammad Ahmad

July 30, 2012

Try http://download.cnet.com/Kingsoft-PC-Doctor/3000-18512_4-75543680.html Kingsoft PC Doctor. I hope this will work fine for you. If you need even more than use TuneUp Utilities. Additionally you should check for viruses also for this download http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx and scan the entire system. You should check for disk defrage. You can use Auslogic Disk Defrag from http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/portable/
Thanks

0 votes

TwooshVidisha

July 30, 2012

Get Wise Registry Cleaner. It helps eliminate these errors and accelerate the performance of Windows. It is free and my pet PC speed up tool! It scans for all bad registry keys, lets you keep or delete entries (whichever you want) also help restore the Windows Registry. You may also opt for a professional version of Wise Registry Cleaner, but it is not free. Get more details http://www.mizwhiz.com/computer-and-mom/are-you-suffering-from-hourglass-syndrome-of-your-computer.html

Oron

I second that. CCleaner is good, but Wise Disk Cleaner & Wise Registry Cleaner are awesome!

July 30, 2012
0 votes

TwooshVidisha

July 30, 2012

Dispose of unnecessary files, perform periodical optimization of your PC, and get rid of unused programs. These are the easy steps to spring clean your PC from time to time. http://www.mizwhiz.com/tips-tricks/easy-tips-on-how-to-spring-clean-your-pc.html

0 votes

Manide

July 30, 2012

Hi Joseph,

I must agree with those who recommend CCleaner. It’s one of the most popular utility and that’s for its efficaciousness. Don’t forget to chose extra files you need to get rid of via Options>Include…
You may consider a defragmenter in order to speed up your PC.

0 votes

ha14

July 30, 2012

Toolwiz Care
http://www.iobit.com/faq.html

Soluto
https://www.soluto.com/

Before cleaning Windows do a system restore point and registry backup

0 votes

Alan Wade

July 30, 2012

This little gem called Awesome Duplicate Photo Finder is, well awsome, at finding duplicate photo’s.

http://download.cnet.com/Awesome-Duplicate-Photo-Finder/3000-2193_4-75206819.html

Alan Wade

A thing worth mentioning is if you intend to remove empty folders then here is a program that I strongly recommend you DONT use. It is called Empty Folder Cleaner and many inexperienced computer users have been caught out with this. It can and will make your machine virtually unbootable so stay well away from it. Under testing it attempted to delete all of my personal folders which were not empty! Other testers complained about it attempting to knock out system folders so take heed.

If you intend to use an empty folder cleaner then there are reviews and recommendations here:
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/free-software-delete-empty-folders-windows-7

July 30, 2012
0 votes

Mihovil Pletikos

July 30, 2012

as most people here i agree ccleaner is the way to go and i use it regularly

0 votes

StefanyBaez

July 30, 2012

There are a few. I use and recommend Glary Utilities (http://www.glarysoft.com/)
but these are also great:
CCleaner (http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner)
TuneUp (http://www.tune-up.com/)

Lambvolution

TuneUp isn’t free..but thats very powerfull programs..

August 3, 2012
0 votes

Suman Acharya

July 30, 2012

i also vote for CCleaner.
try this for 30 days – it’s better http://www.macecraft.com/jv16powertools/
trial version!!

0 votes

susendeep dutta

July 30, 2012

For remaining safe on internet,you can use best antivirus software like avast,Kaspersky etc. and if perform some critical tasks like credit card payment,then take their internet security versions.

0 votes

Sc Ling

July 30, 2012

I would recommend using Slim Cleaner to do the job. It does the job far faster than CCleaner. You do not have to wait long for the cleaning process to finish. It is free and available from https://www.slimwareutilities.com/slimcleaner.php

0 votes

Josh Lee

July 30, 2012

I use CCleaner for most things.
I also use Auslogics BoostSpeed for other things.
Try them out

0 votes

Dalsan

July 30, 2012

For a little extra performance boost, try Tweaking.com’s Simple Performance Boost to disable some unnecessary services and features. You can read more about it here: http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/tweak-windows-to-increase-pc-performance-with-simple-performance-boost/

0 votes

Cristina Torrão

July 30, 2012

Definitively iOrbit Advance SystemCare. I run the free version and I’m very pleased. Give it a try: http://www.iobit.com/advancedsystemcareper.html

0 votes

Charlie Player

July 30, 2012

CCleaner is a good 1 to clean the unwanted files.
or
iobit.com there a sm software also that may helpful for you

0 votes

Igor Rizvi?

July 30, 2012

glary utilities, tuneup utilities,iobit advance system care, slim cleaner ect

0 votes

Dave Parrack

July 31, 2012

This article – http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-do-you-deal-with-windows-pc-crapware-you-told-us/ – which discusses software for getting rid of crapware, should prove useful.

0 votes

Paul Pruitt

July 31, 2012

To check for missing system files, open a command prompt, then type in “sfc /scannow” without the quotes and hit return.

Paul Pruitt

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-service-scanner/ – this unusual freeware checks for missing and corrupt Windows services. I suppose it might duplicate sfc /scannow’s work, but it probably wouldn’t hurt.

July 31, 2012
0 votes

Moonlight M3lody

July 31, 2012

Bruce and Dalsan’s recommendations are great. I use them myself. As for mising files you can just do SFC/SCANNOW from command prompt>This checks for files integrity and will replace them back if something’s not right. I screw up my icons and themes a few times and this save the day.

0 votes

Âdil Farôôq

July 31, 2012

My recommendation is one and only Ccleaner.

0 votes

Rod Ball

July 31, 2012

CC Cleaner as suggested, but I also had good results with
Revo Uninstaller and PC Decrapifier (for new computers)

0 votes

MatthewOMealey

July 31, 2012

WinDirStat is great visual way for finding chunks of data that might unnecessarily be taking up space.
http://windirstat.info/

0 votes

Assad Bhatti

August 1, 2012

CCleaner great small program does the job very well and its FREE!

0 votes

Lambvolution

August 3, 2012

CCleaner works well for me
http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

0 votes

Jon Smith

August 3, 2012

CCleaner

0 votes

Maxi3w

August 4, 2012

Hi, I use “Advanced System Care 5″ from ‘ I0Bit ‘ http://www.i0bit.com and it is great. It has so many features for free plus if you buy the Pro version, which you can also use on 3 computers, I have found it was money well spent. It has an Auto Clean feature which runs daily and fixes problems automatically.

They also have other great free and paid for software that is well worth looking at on their site. I’m really impressed and happy with them and would definitely say consider taking a look.

0 votes

the profiesto ..

August 7, 2012

Tuneup utilities,ccleaner,advanced system care….

0 votes

Mel Reynolds

August 19, 2012

KIngsoft PC Doctor is really good.

0 votes

DI

August 20, 2012

I use http://www.anti-twin.com/ for duplicate files, Free Window Registry Repair at www/regsofts.com and DiskMax from http://www.koshyjohn.com. Simple and free.

0 votes

fatihamzah

August 23, 2012

Absolutely CCleaner, and i also recommend IObit Advance Systemcare. After cleaning you may defrag your PC with Defraggler

0 votes

Hiren Patel

September 12, 2012

Ccleaner & Defraggler best for cleaning unwanted files,registry files & making PC faster.
Safe on internet : Install Good Antivirus.

0 votes

Nathaniel Fleur

October 2, 2012

Hello Joseph, for speeding up your PC. You could try out http://regcurelicensekeycode.com … they also give away a free microsoft registry cleaner, which is a little out of date, but might work for your computer. Hope this helps.

0 votes

Vipul Bansal

October 18, 2012

I’ve been using CCleaner and it has worked wonders.
My computer boots up fast and all other programs respond immediately.
It’s free for home use.

1 votes

Sreekanth Stern

November 30, 2012
0 votes

Richard Pelon

February 3, 2013

Try this software “Duplicate Files Deleter” from http://duplicatefilesdeleter.com/. You can manage any duplicate files without worries and it’s safe to use. It’s the best way to manage unnecessary duplicate files.

0 votes

Bill Davis

February 12, 2013

iobit advance system care is the best there is!!!!!!!!