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CCleaner v1.37.

CCleaner is probably the most popular of the freeware system cleaners and is widely recommended by users.
It cleans up unwanted system files, such as temporary files, log files, MRUs (most recently used), etc. It can also clear histories from some third party software, as well as cleaning Internet Explorer temporary files, cookies, history, etc.
There is a registry cleaner (Issues button), for removing registry errors, such as keys that are left behind when software is uninstalled.
There are also a couple of tools, firstly, a very useful uninstall tool, that performs the same function as the Windows add/remove tool, but starts much faster and gives you the extra options to rename an entry, or remove an entry.
The second tool lets you check which programs are starting with Windows, useful for checking for nuisance programs.

CCleaner main window.

The program is very easy to use, with clearly labelled options, that can be checked, or unchecked, pressing the "analyze" button checks for unwanted files, but nothing is deleted until you opt to press the "run cleaner" button.
Similarly, the registry cleaner initially only scans for problems and gives you plenty of prompts before anything is deleted. I would recommend only using the registry cleaner occasionally, as they can sometimes cause problems. And it is prudent to create a restore point before using any registry cleaner, as this gives you a safety net in the unlikely event of a problem.
There is an advanced cleaning section, but only use these features if you know what you are doing, do not try them to see what happens!

Overall CCleaner does a thorough job and left on the default settings should be quite safe, even for novice users. There is no built in help, but there is an online help, faq and help forum on the web site.
A CCleaner forum member has created a more comprehensive help file at:
http://www.internetrotsyourbrain.com/ccleanerbeginnersguide/

Note: The full installer for CCleaner comes with the Yahoo toolbar (opt out during install), but there are also two slimmer versions that lack the toolbar, making them a much smaller download. No toolbar version 607k -- No toolbar and English only version 450k.
Download page for slim versions:
http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds.aspx

Freeware -- Download size 2.6Mb -- Win 95/98/NT4/ME/2000/XP/2003

http://www.ccleaner.com/



EasyCleaner v.2.0.

I have used EasyCleaner for a couple of years now and found it to be very good.
It can clean the registry, unnecessary files, start menu, temporary internet files, cookies and history, there is also a duplicate file checker, although I have never used that feature as it is not foolproof !

Space Usage is a feature that shows how the space on your hard disk is being used, useful if you only have a small disk, I just checked I still have 89% of my disk free, so its not that useful to me!

When using the program you have the option to keep a backup of any deleted registry entries and start menu items and unnecessary files can be deleted to the recycle bin. Its a good idea to do this, in case a problem appears later.
In the options window you have the choice of over twenty languages! and you can add your own background image for the program.
EasyCleaner comes with a very good help file and its interface is easy to use, I just use the default settings for everything and have never had any problems.

Freeware -- Download size 2.8Mb -- Win 95,98,NT-3.51 (Or newer),2000,Me,XP,Vista

http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm



TweakNow Registry Cleaner v2.6.5.

I have used this cleaner on Win 98 and XP. It is very easy to use, although the latest interface is not as nice as the earlier ones.
TweakNow is not as aggressive as many registry cleaners, only finding a few items it considers safe to delete, I consider this a good feature and have used the program on the default settings with no problems.
A good help file is included and a backup is automatically made of any registry changes.

Freeware -- Download size 1.2Mb -- Win 98,Me,2000,XP,2003,Vista

http://www.tweaknow.com/RegCleaner.html



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