CCleaner

{{short description|Suite of utilities for cleaning disk and operating system environment}}

{{Infobox software

| name = CCleaner

| logo = CCleaner logo 2013.png

| screenshot = CCleaner Software Screenshot.jpg

| caption = CCleaner 5.6 running on Microsoft Windows 7

| developer = Piriform Software

| released = {{Start date and age|2003|09|23|df=yes}}

| ver layout = stacked

| programming language = C++

| operating system = Windows 7 and later,
macOS Sierra and later,
Android Oreo and later

| platform = IA-32 and x64

| language = Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Azeri (Latin), Belarusian, Bosnian, Brazilian Portuguese (Portugues do Brasil), Bulgarian, Burmese, Catalan (Catala), Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Corsican, Croatian (Hrvatski), Czech (Ceský), Danish, Dutch (Nederlands), English, Estonian (Eesti keel), Farsi, Finnish (Suomi), French (Français), Galician, Georgian, German (Deutsch), Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian (Magyar), Indonesian, Italian (Italiano), Japanese, Kazakh, Korean, Kurdish, Latvian, Lithuanian (Lietuviu), Macedonian, Malaysian, Marathi, Mongolian, Norwegian, Polish (Polski), Portuguese (Portugues), Romanian (Romana), Russian, Serbian (Cyrillic), Serbian (Latin), Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish (Espanol), Swedish (Svenska), Tatar, Thai, Turkish (Türkçe), Turkmen, Ukrainian, Vietnamese.{{cite web |title=Changing the language CCleaner uses |url=https://www.ccleaner.com/docs/ccleaner/ccleaner-settings/changing-the-language-ccleaner-uses |work=CCleaner Documentation |publisher=Piriform Ltd |access-date=26 October 2018}}

| language count = 58

| genre = Utility software

| license = Freemium for home use; commercial for use in organisations and institutions{{cite web|access-date=2019-10-17|title=Why do I see a message that says 'CCleaner Free is for home use only' or 'CCleaner Free is not free for commercial use?'|url=http://support.piriform.com/hc/en-us/articles/360019994232-Why-do-I-see-a-message-that-says-CCleaner-Free-is-for-home-use-only-or-CCleaner-Free-is-not-free-for-commercial-use-|website=Piriform}}

| website = {{url|https://www.ccleaner.com/}}

}}

CCleaner ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|ˌ|k|l|iː|n|ər}}; originally meaning "Crap Cleaner"),{{cite web|title=CCleaner |url=http://www.ccleaner.com:80/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040606050048/http://www.ccleaner.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 June 2004|date=6 June 2004|access-date=22 September 2017}} developed by Piriform Software, is a utility used to clean potentially unwanted files and invalid Windows Registry entries from a computer. It is one of the longest-established system cleaners, first launched in 2004.{{cite web|last1=Nakodari|title=10 Lessons Software Developers Should Learn From CCleaner's Success|url=http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/10-lessons-software-developers-should-learn-from-ccleaner-success/|website=Addictive Tips|date=7 September 2009 |access-date=25 May 2016}} It was originally developed for Microsoft Windows only,{{cite web |url=https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner |title=CCleaner – Optimization and Cleaning – Free Download |publisher=Ccleaner.com |access-date=26 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125225342/http://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner |archive-date=25 January 2018 |url-status=dead }} but in 2012, a macOS version was released. An Android version was released in 2014.

Features

CCleaner can delete potentially unwanted files left by certain programs, including Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, Windows Media Player, eMule, Google Toolbar, Netscape, Microsoft Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, McAfee, Adobe Flash Player, Sun Java, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and GIMP{{cite web |url = https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/features |title = CCleaner – Features |work = Official web site |access-date = 3 June 2010 |publisher = Piriform}} along with browsing history, cookies, recycle bin, memory dumps, file fragments, log files, system caches, application data, autocomplete form history, and various other data.{{cite web |url=http://thecoffeedesk.com/news/index.php/2009/05/20/tuning-windows-less-bull-more-speed/ |title=Tuning Windows: Less Bull, More Speed |date=20 May 2009 |access-date=2 June 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716142339/http://thecoffeedesk.com/news/index.php/2009/05/20/tuning-windows-less-bull-more-speed/ |archive-date=16 July 2012 |url-status=dead }} The program includes a registry cleaner to locate and correct problems in the Windows registry, such as missing references to shared DLLs, unused registration entries for file extensions, and missing references to application paths. CCleaner 2.27 and later can wipe the MFT free space of a drive, or the entire drive.

CCleaner can uninstall programs or modify the list of programs that execute on startup.{{cite web |url = http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/screenshots/screen/ccleaner5 |title = Screenshot #5: The Startup Tool |work = Official web site |publisher = Piriform |access-date = 5 November 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101029185638/http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/screenshots/screen/ccleaner5 |archive-date = 29 October 2010 |url-status = dead }} Since version 2.19, CCleaner can delete Windows System Restore points. CCleaner can also automatically update installed programs and computer drivers.{{cite web | url = https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/version-history | title = CCleaner Version History | work = Official web site | publisher = Piriform | date = 26 March 2013 | access-date = 26 March 2013}}{{cite web |url = http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/screenshots/screen/ccleaner6 |title = Screenshot #6: The System Restore tool |work = Official web site |publisher = Piriform |access-date = 5 November 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101102035934/http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/screenshots/screen/ccleaner6 |archive-date = 2 November 2010 |url-status = dead }}

Piriform also distributes a web browser called CCleaner Browser, included as an optional add-on included within the CCleaner installer. The browser, built on Google's free and open-source project Chromium, includes built-in ad blocking and anti-tracking features. The browser is only available for Microsoft Windows.{{cite web |title=CCleaner Browser |url=https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/browser |website=CCleaner |publisher=Gen Digital Inc. |language=en}}{{cite web |title=What's the best browser on the market? {{!}} CCleaner |url=https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/best-browser |website=CCleaner |publisher=Gen Digital Inc. |language=en}} The browser is identical to Avast Secure Browser, which is also owned by Piriform's parent company, Gen Digital.{{cite web |title=Piriform launches CCleaner browser, available for download |author=Venkat |url=https://techdows.com/2019/06/piriform-launches-ccleaner-browser-available-for-download.html |website=Techdows |access-date=4 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004203701/https://techdows.com/2019/06/piriform-launches-ccleaner-browser-available-for-download.html |archive-date=4 October 2023}}

History

CCleaner was first launched in 2004 for Microsoft Windows. It remained a Windows-only utility until 2012. On 2 June 2011, Piriform announced a public beta test program for CCleaner for Mac.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ccleaner.com/news/release-announcements/2011/6/2/ccleaner-for-mac-released|title=CCleaner for Mac [Beta] Released|date=2 June 2011|website=ccleaner.com}} The Mac version graduated to the test stage on 30 January 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ccleaner.com/news/release-announcements/2012/1|title=CCleaner for Mac v1.01|date=30 January 2012|website=ccleaner.com|access-date=20 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720100007/https://www.ccleaner.com/news/release-announcements/2012/1|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=dead}}

A commercial Network Edition was also introduced. Piriform released CCleaner for Android in 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://features.en.softonic.com/ccleaner-for-android|title=CCleaner for Android: too little, too late?|last=Ferri-Benedetti|first=Fabrizio|date=2014-04-18|work=Softonic|access-date=2017-06-21|language=en-US}}

Critical reception

CNET editors gave the application a rating of 5/5 stars, calling it a 'must-have tool'. It was awarded Editor's Choice Award in April 2009 by CNET.{{Cite web |url = http://download.cnet.com/CCleaner/ |title = CCleaner |publisher = Download.com |date = 28 October 2010 |first = Seth |last = Rosenblatt |access-date = 15 May 2011}} In 2016 Piriform announced 2 billion CCleaner downloads worldwide.{{Cite press release |url = https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/piriform-announces-2-billion-ccleaner-downloads-worldwide-599828561.html |title = Piriform Announces 2 Billion CCleaner Downloads Worldwide |agency = PR Newswire |date = 3 November 2016 |first = Software |last = Piriform |access-date = 2 October 2018}} In January 2014 it had been the most popular software on FileHippo for more than a year, and had a 5-star editor's rating on [https://download.zone/ccleaner-free-download-software/ download.zone] and Softpedia.{{Cite web

|url = http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secure-cleaning/CCleaner.shtml

|title = CCleaner 4 Review

|work = Softpedia.com

|date = 7 January 2014

|first = Elena

|last = Opris

|access-date = 31 January 2014

}} CCleaner has been reviewed by Chip.de,{{cite news |url=http://www.chip.de/downloads/CCleaner_16317939.html |title=CCleaner |publisher=chip.de |access-date=21 February 2016}} TechRadar,{{cite news |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/download-of-the-day-ccleaner-1274209 |title=Download of the Day: CCleaner |publisher=techradar.com |access-date=21 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302161726/http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/download-of-the-day-ccleaner-1274209 |archive-date=2 March 2016 }} PC Magazine{{cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400840,00.asp |title=CCleaner (for Mac ) Review & Rating |website=pcmag.com |access-date=21 February 2016}} and TechRepublic.{{cite news |url=http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-tips-for-using-ccleaner-to-degunk-your-system/ |title=Five Tips For Using CCleaner To Degunk Your System |publisher=techrepublic.com |access-date=21 February 2016}}

= Data collection =

Upon an error in the code, the Active Monitoring component of CCleaner 5.45, which was designed to measure junk levels to trigger cleaning, switched back on again. Piriform recognized this error and confirmed to users that the Active Monitoring feature did not report data. It then changed Active Monitoring to the more accurate title of 'Smart Cleaning'. After criticism later versions allowed data collection to be controlled separately by the user, although some data collection, such as OS and language, which is necessary for the app to be delivered, is still on by default as outlined in the company's Data Factsheet. Piriform states that the data collection is completely anonymous and is used to improve product quality.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018-08-02-ccleaner-piriform-will-add-data-collection-opt-out-uproar.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvLnVrLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKR9dx6F9QiZOavQyBtb1vC_SiwUfDsGtvtSV6c77S1Ae5Ssr96LecDNSl9vwrDor6LI5ZNhv-1UuOf5hm1JknOTUJIO3iiRa5K5LcynwL7cns-BmIOx7I672McEXBQXY4IJg-PjFtv16fBEVpbXj2FaBJgLYWAtCd1LCUcRUeW-/ |title=CCleaner v5.45 Introduces Data Collection with No Way to Opt-Out |website=Sensors Tech Forum|date=3 August 2018|author=Milena Dimitrova|access-date= 14 October 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ccleaner.com/news/release-announcements/2018/8/30/ccleaner-v5466652 |title=CCleaner v5.46.6652 |website=CCleaner.com|date=30 August 2018|access-date= 14 October 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/cc-cleaner-provokes-fury-over-active-monitoring/|title=CCleaner provokes fury over Active Monitoring, user data collection|last=Osborne|first=Charlie|website=ZDNet|language=en|access-date=2019-06-28}}{{cite web |url=https://support.piriform.com/hc/en-us/articles/360010631671-I-m-using-CCleaner-v5-45-Why-is-Active-Monitoring-still-on-when-I-have-switched-it-off- |title=I'm using CCleaner v5.45. Why is Active Monitoring still on when I have switched it off?|website= Piriform Support|date=8 October 2018|access-date= 14 October 2018}}

= Bundled software =

Piriform was acquired by Avast in July 2017. In December 2018, it was reported that users installing CCleaner would also have Avast Antivirus installed without their permission, with TechSpot claiming this arguably made CCleaner no better than the malware it was supposed to defend against. Piriform denied this.{{cite web |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/77949-ccleaner-could-install-avast-anti-virus-without-permission.html |title=CCleaner may be installing Avast anti-virus wüüi,t your permission|website= TechSpot|date=19 December 2018|author= David Matthews|access-date= 20 January 2019}}

In July 2020, Microsoft Windows Defender began flagging the free version of CCleaner as a "potentially unwanted application", stating that "while the bundled applications themselves are legitimate, bundling of software, especially products from other providers, can result in unexpected software activity that can negatively impact user experiences."{{Cite web|title=Windows Defender is flagging CCleaner as a Potentially Unwanted Application|url=https://www.techspot.com/news/86216-windows-defender-flagging-ccleaner-potentially-unwanted-application.html|access-date=2020-08-05|website=TechSpot|date=3 August 2020 |language=en-US}} Piriform rolled out an update days later and third-party software installation is now optional when installing the program.

Malware infection

After Piriform was acquired by Avast, in September 2017, CCleaner 5.33 was compromised by the incorporation of the Floxif trojan horse into the distributed program that could install a backdoor, enabling remote access to 2.27 million{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/18/16325202/ccleaner-hack-malware-security|title=Hackers hid malware in CCleaner software|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=18 September 2017|website=The Verge}} machines which had installed CCleaner.{{cite web|url=http://blog.talosintelligence.com/2017/09/avast-distributes-malware.html|title=CCleanup: A Vast Number of Machines at Risk|website=blog.talosintelligence.com|date=18 September 2017 |access-date=21 September 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-security-avast/hackers-compromised-ccleaner-free-software-avasts-piriform-says-idUSKCN1BT0R9|title=Hackers compromised free CCleaner software, Avast's Piriform says|date=18 September 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=22 September 2017}} Avast insisted that the malware was already in CCleaner version 5.33, prior to the purchase of Piriform. Forty of the infected machines received a second-stage payload that appears to have targeted technology companies Samsung, Sony, Asus, Intel, VMWare, O2, Singtel, Gauselmann, Dyn, Chunghwa and Fujitsu.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/09/ccleaner-backdoor-infecting-millions-delivered-mystery-payload-to-40-pcs/|title=CCleaner backdoor infecting millions delivered mystery payload to 40 PCs|author=Dan Goodin|date=2017-09-25|website=Ars Technica}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dni.gov/files/NCSC/documents/news/20180724-economic-espionage-pub.pdf|title=Foreign Economic Espionage in Cyberspace|date=2018-07-24|website=CIA}} On 13 September, Piriform released CCleaner 5.34 and CCleaner Cloud 1.07.3191, without the malicious code.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/review/351824/ccleaner-professional-plus|title=CCleaner Professional Plus|first1=Jeffrey L.|last1=Wilson|first2=Neil J.|last2=Rubenking|date=19 September 2017|website=PC Magazine}}

On 21 October 2019, Avast disclosed a second security breach during which attackers tried again to insert malware inside CCleaner releases. The attempt was unsuccessful.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/avast-says-hackers-breached-internal-network-through-compromised-vpn-profile/|title=Avast says hackers breached internal network through compromised VPN profile|last=Cimpanu|first=Catalin|website=ZDNet|language=en|access-date=2019-10-21}}