Clean up your PC

Over time your PC can becomes inundated with all sorts of temporary files. Files used by Windows and applications. Temporary Internet files used by your web browser. This accumulation takes up drive space and can impact performance.

CCleaner is a FREE product that removes these files at the click of a button…of two.  In addtion, CCleaner also helps with privacy as it can be used to clean out password fields, browser history, the Recycle Bin and old system restore points. It’s also capable of cleaning the left over space from deleted files. When a file is deleted from the PC it still remains on the drive, it’s just hidden from view. CCleaner will scan the drive and overwrite these hidden areas with random data.

Another trick it has up its sleeve is cleaning the Registry. The Registry is a special collection of configuration files used to stored application information and data. The registry can get filled with unnecessary information; mainly through application information being left after the application has been removed or upgraded.

Finally CCleaner can be used to tune the start up of the PC by allowing you to disable various programs that you may not need. This not only speeds up the time your computer is ready to use but also saves valuable computer memory.

Where can I download CCleaner?

Visit the Kempshott Kourier website and there will be a direct link to download. Alternatively, visit the Piriform website at http://www.piriform.com. There you will find the download section.

How do I use CCleaner?

Before you use CCleaner, make sure you close all your applications. This ensures that no files are left open that prevent CCleaner from working correctly.

When you launch the program you will get presented with a screen that has four buttons down the left hand side.

• Cleaner – used to clean the PC of temporary files
• Registry – for analysing the registry and removing old and broken entries.
• Tools – here you will find the extra tools for removing programs, adjusting the startup items, removing old System Restore points to save disk space and the Drive wiper, used to clear the unused space on the drive.
• Options – to configure the various options within CCleaner and control what it can and cannot do.

The first step is to click the “Cleaner” icon. There are many options and the default checked items are typically fine as a starting point. To begin, press the “Analyze” button which is found near the bottom of the main blank window. CCleaner will rifle through the various areas and work out which data can be safely removed.

Once complete, a summary will be displayed showing how much data will be removed. If you are happy, click the “Run Cleaner” button that’s in the bottom right hand corner. The program will prompt for confirmation so click “OK” and CCleaner will remove all the old files.

Clean up your Registry

The next step is to check the registry. Click the “Registry” button on the left hand side and then click the “Scan for Issues”. CCleaner will then scan the registry for anomalies. When complete, hit the “Fix Selected Issues”.

IMPORTANT: It must be noted that removing entries from the registry could potentially stop some applications working. I personally have never experienced this but to be on the safe side, make sure you save the backup file when CCleaner prompts you. It you find something is broken, you can simply double click this saved file and the items will be restored.

Once saved, Click the “Fix All Issues” button and they rouge entries will be removed from the registry.

Tune your start up

On final extra step you can perform, if you feel confident, is disable some of the startup programs. When the PC loads, a number of applications load in the background to “help” certain services. They may be printer alerts, quick start program for Adobe reader, programs to check updates or any number of services you don’t necessarily need.

Only perform this step if you feel comfortable. If you do disable a program and that does effect the normal operation of your PC, simply switch the program back on. There’s also an option to “Save to text file” in the bottom right hand corner.

To disable the unwanted startup programs click the “Tools” icon on the left and then click the “Startup” button. In the panel on the right you can now highlight a specific line and then click the “Disable” button on the right. The status of the startup item is displayed in the first column.

Knowing what to disable does come with experience but if not sure email me the output to the “Save to text file”.