Theyre a great first stop on your Windows cleanup journey. Note that this is true even though PC cleaning apps fix “registry errors” while the Disk Cleanup app doesn’t, which shows just how unnecessary registry cleaners are. Windows 10 and 11 include a pair of similar tools for clearing out old temporary files from your disk, meaning you dont need a dedicated Windows cleaner app. It will also delete temporary files for other programs - CCleaner alone does much more than these PC cleaning apps do.Ī test performed in 2011 by Windows Secrets found that the Disk Cleanup tool included with Windows was just as good as paid PC cleaning apps. If you must, use the free CCleaner, which has the best-tested registry cleaner out there. This isn’t necessary if you use a solid-state drive.

Run the Disk Defragmenter included with Windows.

Clear your browser history or - even better - set your browser to automatically clear its history when you close it if you don’t want to store a history.

You can even schedule a Disk Cleanup to clean your computer automatically. Just tap the Windows key, type Disk Cleanup, and press Enter to launch it. It’s focused on freeing up space on your hard drive, but it will also delete old temporary files and other useless things.

Run the Disk Cleanup tool included with Windows.

Let’s say you want to clean your PC just like a PC cleaner would.

Free cleaner app