Temporary files need to be cleaned from your computer from time-to-time. I recommend at least monthly. Temporary files are the support files created by Windows and the programs we use every day to perform the functions we ask of them. We don’t see these files because they created behind the scenes and can stack up over time and number in the tens of thousands.
Keeping these caches of small, numerous and expendable files cleaned out of our systems not only saves disk space, but also helps the peformace of the individual programs and the computer in general.
Over the past few years, I made it a habit to add a computer cleaning utility to my client’s computers. Sure, Windows includes the Disk Cleanup utility, but it just doesn’t clean enough of the temporary files and it takes too long to complete. In that time, I have become confident with and install the free CCleaner tool. It works fast, cleans thoroughly yet not to aggresively, and provides regular updates to continue improving its effectiveness and ability to work with newer software.
The most recent update to CCleaner adds a better summary of results that lists what part of the Windows or program was cleaned, how much space it freed, and how many total files it cleaned to free that space. Much more helpful than the previous summary. Here’s what it looks like:
I plan on doing a quick video tip on how to use this tool later this week.
Is CCleaner and Cleanup Utility the same thing? If so, which is better?
They both clean temporary files from our computers, but are not the same product. While both work extremely well, I’ve been recommending the CCleaner more lately because of regular updates.
I have switched from a Windowss XP system to a MacBook. Is there a cleanup that I need to use to keep a Mac running fast? I know that if I reboot, I can hold down the shift key and reboot in safe mode, and I think that this is the same as the old “rebuilding the desktop” that cleans out the cache and temp files as well.
Here a couple of Macintosh cleanup utilities you can try:
MacCleaner
sterMachine
Rick: I am a bit leary of adding CCleaner to my computer for fear that it might clean something from it that I might want or need later on. How does one know how to designate what is to be cleaned and what is to be left alone? Better yet how do I determine what I want it to do for me? All those boxes to check or uncheck! Might I need things like ‘history’ or other items in the future? Thanks.
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