I've used CCleaner for around eight years, mostly the free version and only occasionally to clear cookies and recover a little storage on an older Windows laptop. I'm tired of the pop-ups and would like to uninstall it, but I'm hesitant to switch to an unfamiliar cleanup program. I keep seeing people say that Windows already includes everything needed for basic cleanup. What's the safest way to manually free up space, and are there any trustworthy free tools for finding large files or clearing temporary data? I'm not especially tech-savvy, so I'd appreciate advice on where to begin and what I should avoid deleting.
4 Answers
If you want a dedicated cleaner, BleachBit is a commonly used free option without the constant advertising. It can clear temporary files and browser data, but review the categories before running it and avoid using aggressive options unless you know what they remove. For basic maintenance, though, Windows’ own Storage settings and Disk Cleanup are usually enough.
You don’t need to replace CCleaner with another all-purpose cleaning utility. Uninstall programs you no longer use through Windows’ Apps settings, empty the Recycle Bin, review the Downloads folder, and move or remove large personal files. Browser cookies and cache can also be cleared directly from each browser’s settings. Keeping some free space available is more important than repeatedly running a cleaner.
For finding what is actually using the most space, WizTree is useful because it gives you a visual breakdown of the drive. WinDirStat is another free option if you prefer a slightly less intimidating layout. These tools don’t magically clean everything for you, but they make it much easier to identify large videos, installers, backups, or forgotten folders. Don’t delete files just because they look large—check what they are first.
Start with Windows’ built-in Disk Cleanup tool. Press Win+R, type cleanmgr, and choose the system drive. You can remove temporary files, thumbnails, update cleanup files, and similar items. Windows Settings also has Storage settings under System, including Temporary files and Storage Sense. Be careful with Downloads and personal files, since those may be items you still need.
I find WinDirStat a little easier to understand, although WizTree is generally faster on large drives.