Crap Cleaner : The
Beginners Guide
Thanks to DMX for this tutorial:
Introduction
CCleaner (Crap Cleaner) is a freeware
system 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
fast! (normally taking less that a second to run) and totally Free.
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Below is a FAQ section about the freeware program:
Q1. What operating systems does it work with?
Fully tried and tested with Windows 95/98/NT4/ME/2000/XP/2003.
It's also fully compatible with XP Service Pack 2.
(There is no Mac version.)
Q2. When updating the program, do I need to uninstall older
versions?
No, you can install newer versions over the top of older versions,
without having to uninstall. Note: Regular
updates are available
Q3. Do I need to be an administrator to run this?
Ideally yes. Although you can still run this as a normal or
restricted user, however, some files may not be deleted.
Q4. How do I restore registry back-ups?
Right-click on the .REG file created and select 'Merge'.
Q5. How do I "select all" on the issues list?
Simply Right-click to bring up the menu/window.
Q6.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!
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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.
-->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 increase 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. Which on most
systems 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.
Old Prefetch Data
In Windows XP a Prefetch file is generated each time an application
is run. This helps Windows optimise 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.)
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.
--> Advanced
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.
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
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Program Summary:
CCleaner (Crap Cleaner) 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.
* 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:
* 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:
* Firefox, Opera, Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar,
Netscape, Office XP, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and
more...
Registry Issue Cleaning:
CCleaner uses an advanced Registry to check for problems and
inconsistencies in your registry. It can check the following:
* File Extensions
* ActiveX Controls
* ClassIDs
* ProgIDs
* Uninstallers
* Shared DLLs
* Fonts
* Help File references
* Application Paths
* Icons
* Invalid Shortcuts and more...
Safety and Security:
CCleaner was designed from the ground to be safe and secure to use.
It has multiple levels of checks in place to ensure that it cannot
delete any useful information or documents you may still need.
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Its extremely easy to use. Just open up the program, and press
"Run". And thats it!
And thats all you need to know about this great software
Download CCleaner here
Regards
DMX
