1. Getting Started
 

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

Getting Started

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less that a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware! :)

CCleaner was fully tried and tested with Windows 98/NT4/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista. It's currently partially compatible with 64bit XP and Vista, there are a few non-critical issues which are still being worked on.

Click here for a Quick Tour...

Cleans the following:

Internet Explorer Temporary files, URL history, cookies, Autocomplete form history, index.dat.

Firefox
    Temporary files, URL history, cookies, download history.

Opera
    Temporary files, URL history, cookies.

Windows Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files and Log files.

Registry cleaner Advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts and more... also comes with a comprehensive backup feature.

Third-party applications Removes temp files and recent file lists (MRUs) from many apps including Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape, MS Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and many more...

100% Spyware FREE This software does NOT contain any Spyware, Adware or Viruses.

It contains two essential tools:

1. File Cleaner

This removes files that are not needed by your system, such as: temporary files, internet cache files, log files, deleted files in the recycle bin, and many more. The options for what to remove are covered by the first two tabs on the left of the main window: Windows and Applications.

2. Registry Cleaner

This scans your registry and highlights issues that may be causing problems. Once scanned you may select the issues and fix them. You will be offered the chance the backup any changes as well. The options for what to scan are listed on the third tab “Issues” on the main window.

Why should I clean my system?

Do you remember how fast your computer was when you first got it? This is because you hadn't yet installed all those demos and utilities that you no longer use. Most of these programs leave behind temporary files and registry entries, even when uninstalled!

Additionally your operating system records every visit to every website; every time you open a document, and a lot more. Do you want people to be able to find out this information?

Even if you don't mind other people knowing what websites you visit, your internet browser can save personal information about you, such as your name, address, date of birth, passwords and credit cards numbers. Luckily CCleaner will remove all of these!

2. Features
 

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

Features

Program Summary:

CCleaner is a freeware PC optimization tool. That removes unused and temporary files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster, more efficiently and giving you more hard disk space. The best part is that it's Small, Fast and Free!

Cleans the following Windows components:

Internet Explorer 
    - Temporary File Cache.
    - URL History.
    - Cookies.
    - Hidden Index.dat files.
    - Last download file location.
  Firefox 
    - Temporary File Cache.
    - URL History.
    - Cookies.
    - Download manager.
  Opera 
    - Temporary File Cache.
    - URL History.
    - Cookies.

• Recycle Bin
• Clipboard
• Windows Temporary files
• Windows Log files.
• Recent Documents (on the Start Menu).
• Run history (on the Start Menu).
• Windows XP Search Assistant history.
• Windows XP old Prefetch data
• Windows memory dumps after crashes.
• Chkdsk file fragments.

Advanced Options allow cleaning of:

• Windows XP old Prefetch data.
• Menu Order cache
• Tray Notifications Cache
• Window Size and Location Cache
• User Assist history
• IIS Log Files
• Custom Folders

Application Cleaning:
As well as cleaning up old files and settings left by standard Windows components, CCleaner also cleans temporary files and recent file lists for many applications. Including:

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

Windows

On your left you have check boxes to select what you would like to clean or not to clean.

Tip: I recommend using the default checked boxes and running Advanced maybe once a month or so.

At the bottom of Progress you have Analyze and Run Cleaner.

Clicking on Analyze will create a list of everything CCleaner is going to clean. You can right click in the big white box and save the list as a text file.

Clicking on Run Cleaner will clean everything. You can right click in the big white box and save the list as a text file. Note: you do not have to run Analyze, if you do not wish too.

Applications

On your left you have check boxes to select what you would like to clean or not to clean.

Tip: I recommend having them all checked. Unless you are a business or use the documents a lot, I would uncheck the Office box under Applications.

The Applications cleaning is tied in with the Windows cleaning, so it cleans them both at once. You do not have to click on each individual tab to clean Windows and Applications.

Keyboard Shortcuts

ALT+A Analyze
ALT+C Cancel
ALT+R Run Cleaner
 

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

Cleaner Information

Windows Tab

Internet Explorer

Temporary Internet Files
This is the Internet Cache for IE. It saves the web pages and pictures from the sites you're visiting to your hard disk. These can build up over time to consume a large amount of disk space and may potentially contain personal information. Selecting this option will safely remove the files.

Cookies
Cookies are small text files that Web sites save on your computer to help your browsers remember specific information. For example, they might store your username and password. They are also used to store your preferences for personalized pages or to build a profile of which sites you visit and which banner ads you click on. Advertisers use this information to deliver targeted ads directly to your computer. Selecting this option will safely remove the files. You may wish to keep certain cookies, these may be selected on the Options window.

History
Much like the Internet Cache, IE also records and stores the addresses of all the websites you have visited. Selecting this option will safely remove the record of websites you have visited.

Recently Typed URLs
Any website addresses you manually type into the address bar are stored and displayed in the address drop-down box. Selecting this option will safely remove the record of typed in addresses.

Delete Index.dat files
Although essentially undocumented by Microsoft there are several hidden files, all with the filename index.dat that reside in directories on your system. These permanently cache website addresses and cookies from sites you have visited. This list is never deleted and gradually increases in size, resulting in IE slowing down. Selecting this option will mark these files for deletion the next time your computer is rebooted. (Unfortunately these files cannot be deleted immediately as they are permanently in use by the operating system.)

Last Download Location
When you download a file from the internet, IE remembers the directory location you chose. Selecting this option will clear the last directory, and reset to the default folder. On most systems the default location is the desktop.

Autocomplete Form History
When you type in a username and password on a webpage, IE frequently prompts you to select whether you'd like it to remember these details for next time. Whilst this is very useful and may save you time logging in. It can be a security risk as other people will be able to log in from your computer. Selecting this option with remove any stored usernames and passwords.

Windows Explorer

Recent Documents
When you open a document or file in Windows, a record of this is stored under the Recent Documents list on the Start menu. Selecting this option will clear this list. (Note: The documents themselves are left untouched.)

Run (in Start Menu)
An alternative to running programs from a shortcut icon, is to type in the application name into the Run form on the start menu. Every time you do this, the program you typed in is added to the drop-down list of previously run programs. Selecting this option will clear this list.

Search Assistant Autocomplete
When you search for a file in Windows Explorer, the file is added to a list of previously searched for files. Selecting this option will clear this list.

Other Explorer MRUs
MRUs (Most Recently Used) are lists within windows and in applications that maintain a list of the last few (normally 4 to 8) opened documents. It is normally located on the File menu of the application. This option clears a range of minor lists within Windows, including common dialogs, network drives and DirectX applications.

System

Empty Recycle Bin
This option will empty the Recycle Bin.

Temporary Files
Many applications use temporary files when working to save information. These are normally deleted upon exit, but occasionally they can be left behind. Normally when the program is not shut down properly. This option will safely delete these files. (By default it only removes files that haven't been used in the last 10 days, this prevents current temp files from being removed. There is an option to turn off this feature on the Options window.)

Clipboard
The windows clipboard can contain personal information you've copied from documents and also if it contains a large amount of data, it can use up a lot of memory. This option clears the clipboard and frees up the memory being used.

Memory Dumps
When windows crashes or blue screens the system saves a memory dump, potentially containing information about how the crash happened. This data is generally never needed, even by advanced computer professionals and may be safely deleted. This option will remove these memory dumps.

Chkdsk File Fragments
Chkdsk (CheckDisk) is the utility windows uses to scan the hard disk for files errors. Sometimes it finds fragments of files left on your system. These are saved as .CHK files on your system drive. In most cases these files are never needed and may be safely deleted. Selecting this option will remove these files.

Windows Log Files
When you install a new program or piece of hardware Windows logs the changes to .LOG files in the Windows directory. In most cases these files will never be needed, even for advanced users. This option will safely delete these files.

Start Menu Shortcuts
Removes start menu shortcuts that points to files that no longer exist.

Desktop Shortcuts
Removes desktop shortcuts that points to files that no longer exist.

Advanced

Old Prefetch Data
In Windows XP a Prefetch file is generated each time an application is run. This helps Windows optimize the application the next time it is executed. Unfortunately these files are not deleted when the applications are removed. This option removes these files for programs that haven't been accessed in 14 days. (This process is very safe and Windows will recreate the files as necessary.)

Menu Order Cache
The Start menu allows you to set a custom order to the programs listed, although there's no option to sort all folders by name. Selecting this option removes any custom ordering from the Start menu.

Tray Notifications Cache
In Windows XP the System Tray (the set of icons next to the clock in the bottom-right corner) orders and hides items automatically for you. Whilst this is useful, it records a list of every program that has been run from the tray. This option clears the list of previous programs and removes any custom display/hide options. (Warning: This won't have any affect until you manually restart the explorer process from the Task Manager.)

Window Size/Location Cache
Windows Explorer stores the view formatting and ordering settings for each folder on your system. After some time, this can contain a large amount of redundant data and may even slow down browsing for files on your system. Selecting this option will clear this data and reset the Windows Explorer display settings to their default option.

User Assist History
The start menu on Windows XP displays a list of the most recently run programs. Selecting this option will clear this list.

IIS Log Files
IIS (Internet Information Server) is the service Windows uses to display web pages. This comes with most XP Pro and Windows 2000 installations and is generally only used by web developers or designers. Every time someone requests a page it gets logged to a text file. Unless the computer is a web server, these are generally not needed, and may be safely deleted. This option will safely delete these files.

Hotfix Uninstallers
This will remove your Windows Updates from WINDOWS\$NtUninstallKB$, you will not be able uninstall the Windows Updates.

Custom Files and Folders
Will clean your custom files and Folders that you have selected in Options, Customs.

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

Registry

On your left you have check boxes to select what you would like to clean or not to clean. By default, all are selected.

Tip: I recommend having them all checked.

Clicking on Scan for Issues will create a check list of everything CCleaner is going to remove from the registry.

Problem - Will tell you what the problem is. You can click on the check box next to Problem to check or uncheck all the problems.

Data - What the registry key is.

Registry Key - What the full path of the registry key is.

Right clicking on a Problem:

Select All will select everything.

Select All of Type will select everything with the same Problem. Example: Missing MUI Reference

Deselect All will deselect everything.

Deselect All of Type will deselect everything with the same Problem. Example: Missing MUI Reference

Open in Regedit... will open the selected entry in regedit. This feature may not work if your Windows XP account is limited and regedit has been disabled on it.

Clicking on Fix selected issues... will remove everything selected. Once you click on Fix selected issues... you will be asked "Do you want to backup changes to the registry?" It's up to you, if you want to or not, but I never had any problems with not backing up. But, I backup my full registry every now and then anyways.

Now a window will pop up saying how many there are and what it is. In the top left, it will say what the problem is, and at the top is will describe the problem in full. At the bottom you have 5 buttons. << >> will scroll through all of the problems. Fix Issue will fix each issue one by one. Fix All Selected Issues will fix all of the issues you have selected. I tend to click on Fix All Selected Issues, because there are so many... Once you are done, just click on Close. Many of them might recreate themselves once you restart your computer, but it's ok. It's a Windows thing.... Lastly, Close will close the Issue Fix window.

Issue Scanning Information

Registry Integrity

Missing Shared DLLs - Invalid paths to missing shared DLLs.

Unused File Extensions - File extensions no longer used by programs.

ActiveX and Class Issues - Invalid paths to ActiveX and Class components that no longer installed.

Type Libraries - Invalid paths to type libraries that no loner exist.

Applications - Invalid paths to frequently-used programs in the Start Menu.

Fonts - Invalid paths to fonts that no longer installed.

Application Paths - Invalid paths to applications that no longer installed.

Help Files - Invalid paths to help files that no longer installed.

Installer - Invalid paths to .exe files that no longer there.

Obsolete Software - Invalid paths to programs that are that no longer in use.

Run At Startup - Invalid paths to programs that no longer startup with Windows.

Start Menu Ordering - Invalid folders referenced in the Start Menu.

MUI Cache - Invalid icons and their string descriptions for various internal Windows uses.

Restoring Issues Backup

Go to the folder where your Issues backup is located (default location is My Documents). The backup file will be something like this cc_20070130_1437. cc (CCleaner) 20070130 (Year, Month, Day) 1437 (Time, 24 hour clock). Right click on the file and click on Merge, you will be asked if you would like to add the information or not.

Keyboard Shortcuts

ALT+S Scan for Issues
ALT+C Cancel
ALT+F Fix selected issues

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

Tools

Uninstall

You should see a list of Programs that you can uninstall. This list is also found in Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel. On your right you have Run Uninstaller, Rename Entry, and Delete Entry.

Run Uninstaller will remove the application from Windows.

Rename Entry will rename it to whatever you want.

Delete Entry will remove the program from Add/Remove Programs. This can come in handy if you don't want to remove the program or it's no longer installed, but still listed in Add/Remove Programs.

Save to text file... will save the Programs to Remove list.

There is a Right-Click Menu that will list the 4 options as listed above.

Startup

You should see a list of programs that startup when you start Windows.

Enabled (Shows you if the startup program is enabled or disabled)

Key (Shows where it is located in the registry)

Program (Shows the program's name)

File (Shows where it is located on your hard drive)

On the left you have Disable or Delete Entry. Disable will only disable the program from starting up. Delete Entry will remove the program from starting up with Windows. Note: Do not use unless you know what you are doing.

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

Options

Settings

Language (The language CCleaner is in)

Run CCleaner when the computer starts (Runs CCleaner when Windows starts up)

Add "Run Cleaner" option to Recycle Bin context menu (This will add Run Cleaner to right click menu of the Recycle Bin)

Add "Open CCleaner" option to Recycle Bin context menu (This will add Open CCleaner to right click menu of the Recycle Bin)

Automatically check for updates to CCleaner (This will check for a new version of CCleaner, checks every 10 mins)

Secure Deletion (Changing the option here will allow for secure file deletion)

Cookies

This will manage your cookies. When cleaning with CCleaner, you may not want to delete a certain cookie. So just select it and click the -> button to keep that cookie. Works with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.

Include

This will clean the files and folders that you add. It will list them in the big white box. On your right you have Add Folder, Add File, and Remove Folder. It also supports drag-and-drop, just drag the file or folder to the window and then you will be prompted to add or not.

Add Folder will add a folder to the custom clean list.

Add File will add a file to the custom clean list.

Remove Selected will remove a file or folder from the custom clean list.

In order to clean custom files or folders, you must have Advanced - Custom Files and Folders checked.

Exclude

This will clean not the files and folders that you add. It will list them in the big white box. On your right you have Add Folder, Add File, and Remove Folder. It also supports drag-and-drop, just drag the file or folder to the window and then you will be prompted to add or not.

Add Folder will add a folder to the custom clean list.

Add File will add a file to the custom clean list.

Add Registry will add a registry key to the custom clean list.

Remove Selected will remove a file or folder from the custom clean list.

In order to clean custom files or folders, you must have Advanced - Custom Files and Folders checked.

Advanced

Only delete files in Windows Temp folder older than 48 hours (This will only remove files in the temp folder older than 48 hours)

Hide warning messages (This will hide all warning messages when checking certain cleaning boxes)

Close program after cleaning (This will automatically close the program after cleaning)

Show prompt to backup registry issues (This will show a warning box to if you want to backup your registry or not)

Show detailed log of Internet Explorer temporary files (This will show the entire log of all Internet Explorer files cleaned)

Show detailed log of Firefox/Mozilla temporary files (This will show the entire log of all Firefox/Mozilla files cleaned)

Minimize to System Tray (This will minimize CCleaner to System Tray)

Save all settings to INI file (This will save all the CCleaner settings to ccleaner.ini instead of the Registry)

Note: Saving to ini can be useful if your Windows account is limited and doesn't have access to the registry.

About

Shows the version number, link to the website, and command-line parameters.

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

Help

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) View the questions users most frequently ask about CCleaner. We recommend you read this before looking in the other sections for help.

Discussion Forum Check out our discussion forum and see what CCleaner users are talking about. Find out tips on cleaning your system and registry. Feel free to join in a discussion and post your own messages. Most of us are friendly. ;)

The same items keep immediately re-appearing in subsequent Issues scans after attempting to remove them

• Run the Repair Permissions tool in Dial-a-fix. This will fix it 90% of the time. If you are unable to run this tool, try it in "Safe mode with command prompt".
• Once you extract it, double click on Dial-a-fix.exe, click Tools, click Repair Permissions, and click GO. After the permissions repair completes, run a new issues scan in CCleaner -- do not remove the objects found by the scan that was performed before the permissions repair tool was run.
• If CCleaner finds its own COM objects, such as CCListView, CCListBar, CCTab, etc, then the same answer also applies.

Restoring an Issue Backup will not work (Windows XP Only)

• Your file association for registry files has become corrupted.
• Goto Doug's Windows XP File Association Fixes and download REG File Association Fix (Restore default associations for REG files).
• Unzip xp_regfile.zip, then go to Start > Run > Regedit
• In the Registry Editor, go to File > Import . Browse to the regfile in question, highlight it, and hit 'Open'.

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CCleaner Beginner's Guide

CCleaner Beginner's Guide

About

CCleaner Beginner's Guide was created TwistedMetal.

CCleaner is created by Piriform.

Visit http://www.ccleaner.com/ for all the latest news and updates for CCleaner.

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