MY CLEANING LADY (CCleaner)

Member Name: thingywhatsit

Product:	CCleaner
Date:	06/11/06 (1632 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Keeps my internet use private.

Disadvantages: It doesn't make coffee.

Ccleaner.

I first heard of this program from a friend that uses it on a regular basis. He enthused about it so much that in the end I was sorely tempted to download it and am extremely glad that I did. Not only does it make my computer experience a more enjoyable one, but I feel it actually puts me in control of my computer, or as much as an amateur can be.

I never take it for granted that mistakes cannot happen with programs like this, and one word of advice to users would be always to take a back-up or to set a restore point just before running the program. It isn't lack of confidence in the cleaner itself, but more a sensible thing to do, knowing that my own knowledge of what happens deep inside the computer is limited.

Downloading the program is simple. It's free and has no advertising which also pleases me. The site itself is good as well, because the company take you on a tour of the product and help you to understand a little more about how it works. Ccleaner.com is the site where downloads are available, and these really do not take much time to download and installation is simply a question of following prompts.

Using the cleaner has become a regular occurrence for me, and one of the most useful areas of it that I have found is that I can use the Issues area when I have computer problems. I have used this several times and found that it is very efficient in telling you where the problem area is, and not only telling you that, but helping you to fix it, and believe me, with my lack of experience, I need all the help I can get.

One super area of the program pleases me immensely, and that is the area that puts me truly in control of programs which are on my computer. Did you ever have one of those niggling programs that really will not delete, no matter how many times you try to perform it through the normal use of the control panel ? I have, and it irritated me because there should be no reason why I cannot chose to delete something I do not want. Ccleaner enables you to rid yourself of things that are of no use to you any more and where the control panel failed, this program did not.

It's a very small and noninvasive program at 1.36MB, but it really is efficient in what it does. For example, when you do a cleaning of your computer using the cleaner, it deletes all your history, and here there is no need to worry about passwords being deleted. That is not its aim. It's aim is to help you to retain your privacy, and here I am delighted that it appears to work very well indeed. Although I have always set a restore point before using it, I have never had to go back in a moment of regret to fix anything after the cleaner has performed its functions.

For the cleaning process, there are advanced features though I would not use them since my knowledge is limited. I am happy with the functions that are performed, and can chose which areas I want cleaned, keeping my cookies intact if I wish to. There are a series of tick boxes, enabling the user to chose the areas that they wish to be cleaned, as well as clearing out the recycle bin, temporary files, file fragments, and information about where you go on the Internet, where you download from, and the history of your movements whilst on the Internet. I value my privacy and the tool works exceedingly well for me. Not only does it follow behind you on the net with the clearing up process, it also cleans out applications such as Messenger, downloading history and much more than this, cleans up files, and tells you about errors and old entries in the registry.

The program does have a back-up system before you delete files, although as stated, I always set a restore point, though I do take a back up before deleting files as the program instructs me, knowing that I can reinstate them if I find I have made a mistake.

In the tools section, one area I am very keen on is the start up area. Do you ever get programs that seem to load themselves on start up ? We all make the mistake from time to time of forgetting to tick a box on installation of programs, and enabling new programs to start up when you boot up your machine. If your machine takes ages to load and has lots of little icons in the tray on the right hand side of the tool bar, chances are you have loads of start up items that you really do not need. Ccleaner gives you control of which programs start up when you turn on your computer. If you disable something, it doesn't mean the program will not run upon opening it from the normal program function. It just means that you get to chose whether you want it automatically loaded at start up.

Going back to the cookies area of the program, what I like here is that I can chose which cookies to keep and which to get rid of. Exceptions to the rule of deletion are easy for the user to add, and it means that sites I use on a regular basis and that need cookies are not cleaned out.

Updates are not automatic on this program, although it is easy to check for updates by checking the options area and pressing "Version". I update on a regular basis and updates are quick to download.

The site of Ccleaner is updated on a regular basis. Ccleaner has been tried and tested with all versions of Windows from 98 to XP, although if you have the 64bit XP, it would be worth holding fire for a while with the program, as they are having problems running it with this system. There are no Mac or Linux versions available.

Overall, I think this is one of my favourite programs and whenever I have computing difficulties, I refer to it as my oracle, and it has detected programs that have conflicts, has resolved them, and keeps my machine clean. It is very easy to use, and extremely effective at freeing up space on your computer and thus making it work faster.

Site support is great and a forum is available for answers to questions that users may have, although thankfully, I have not needed it, since my use of the program has been a good experience, the program is simple to run, and I have never tried any technical wizardry with the more advanced areas. I feel it is a good program for those who, like me, have limited knowledge, but who wish to improve their computer experience. Now all I have to do is learn to clean up my house, as good as this tool cleans up my computer.

Where did I put that broom ?

Summary: A very efficient program that is simply to use.

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