I’m a big fan of “all-in-one” system utilities; particularly “all-in-one” system cleaners. System cleaners come in all shades of complexity – some with a simple and effective user interface, and some with an interface that requires a GPS to navigate.
The following are three cleaning utilities that make my list of worthwhile additions, to any computer user’s toolbox – two that I have tested extensively, and one (EasyCleaner), that I’ve been testing for the last few weeks.
EasyCleaner:
EasyCleaner is a small free application that’s capable of cleaning the Windows registry as well as deleting all kinds of unnecessary files, including temp files and backups. It doesn’t stop there though.
While using this excellent little program you can search for duplicate files, manage startup programs, remove invalid shortcuts and add and remove applications. As an added bonus there is even a disk space usage option.
System requirements: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
Download at: Download.com
CCleaner:
What can you say about CCleaner (the granddaddy of all system cleaners), that hasn’t already been said of this freeware system optimization, privacy, and cleaning tool.
It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. As well, it cleans up traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally, it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. But the best part is that it’s fast; normally taking less than a second to run.
System requirements: Windows Vista, Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
Download at: Download.com
Comodo System Cleaner:
If you’re looking for a more powerful free solution, than either of the two previously mentioned applications, then Comodo System Cleaner might just be ideal. This free application will do what both EasyCleaner and CCleaner will do, and a whole lot more – and I do mean, a whole lot more.
Fast facts:
Registry Cleaner – Optimizes and repairs your Windows registry by running an in-depth scan to remove, or repair, unnecessary or corrupted registry keys.
Disk Cleaner – This utility lets you quickly clear them all, to free up space and improve performance. Also allows you to schedule regular clean up routines.
Privacy Cleaner – Obliterates your digital paper trail and helps protect you from identity theft by cleaning history, cache, cookies and usage records from Internet browsers, Windows locations, and popular software.
System Settings – With over 50 tweaks in the ‘System Settings’ area alone, you can optimize Windows behavior in a more powerful and intuitive way than ever before.
System Information – Detailed and easily accessible ‘dashboard’ summary of all the hardware and software installed on your computer.
Autorun Manager – Fingertip control over exactly which programs and services start with Windows. Helps improve Windows boot up time, stops unwanted programs from hogging system resources and boosts overall system performance and stability.
File Pending Delete – Provides the ability to delete files that are locked and cannot otherwise be deleted when in Windows ‘User Mode’. Specifying a file with the ‘File Pend Delete’ tool will schedule that file to be deleted immediately after the next system restart.
File Wiper – Allows you to permanently remove confidential or sensitive files from your hard drive. When you ‘delete’ a file in Windows, you are really only removing the reference to that file from the system table. The file itself remains on your drive and could be easily re-opened by data thieves. ‘File Wiper’ ensures that the files you want to delete are comprehensively erased and cannot be recovered.
System requirements: Windows XP, Vista, Win 7 and Server 2003
Download at: Download.com
Update December 10: A number of readers have pointed out that the registry cleaner function, may be too aggressive. Unless you are a highly skilled user, who is used to working with aggressive cleaners, use a less aggressive registry cleaner.
Bonus: What makes this free application even more interesting is; it’s available as a portable program which can easily be run from a USB drive. Great for geeks!
Portable version download at: Download.com
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Bill Mullins' Weblog - Tech Thoughts 
Commodo is the newer cleaner in the group, I think we should be careful using it, by checking the registry keys before clicking on yes to delete, hope they solved the bugs….
Hey Aziz,
I’ve tested this application carefully over an extended period of time, and I am not aware of any “bugs”. I’m interested in hearing from you, what bugs you found in your testing.
Your comment “checking the registry keys before clicking on yes to delete”, should be SOP for any registry cleaner. Improper use of a registry cleaner can have serious consequences on an OS. However, you will have noticed, this application provides the opportunity to “back out” of any registry changes that have been made – this is after a reboot. This process reduces any risk very substantially. It would be helpful if more registry cleaners had this capability.
Bill
I used the Comodo cleaner once, and it messed up something in my registry. It was a few weeks ago, so unfortunately I don’t remember what it did, but I’ve not used it since.
Dave K
Hey Dave,
It’s not news to you, I’m sure, when I say that the use of registry cleaners where the options are incorrectly set, or where returned entries are not carefully scrutinized, can lead to critical faults. As I said to Azziz “Improper use of a registry cleaner can have serious consequences on an OS. However, you will have noticed, this application provides the opportunity to back out of any registry changes that have been made”. As well, if an error occurs this application has a backup option, which should prove helpful.
Your comment though, along with Azzis’ comment, has convinced me to add a warning note to the article.
Thanks,
Bill
You’re quite right of course, Bill, but as I vaguely remember it, my PC would no longer boot after the registry cleansing and I was unable to back out the changes. I remember it being a traumatic time!
Regards,
Dave
Hey Dave,
Nothing spells “traumatic”, quite like a no-boot situation. I can commiserate with you, since my most frustrating no-boots have always been following a very aggressive registry cleaning of a test machine. I’ve learned the hard way (is there any other way in computing?), not to be so aggressive. I think I’m a slow learner though. LOL!
Bill
Hi Bill,
You know what I was thinking about similar topic a hour ago and still thinking about that but in my case I am going to try 10 and short out only best 5. Thanks for helping me.
Arafat
Hey Arafat,
Very cool. Looking forward to your review.
Bill
Sometimes it’s really that simple, isn’t it? I feel a little stupid for not thinking of this myself/earlier, though.