CCleanerCCleaner 5.6 running on Microsoft Windows 7DeveloperPiriform SoftwareInitial release23 September 2003; 22 years ago (2003-09-23)Stable release(s) [±]Windows7.00.984 / 6 October 2025; 6 days ago (2025-10-06)[1]macOS2.09.187 / 19 October 2023; 23 months ago (2023-10-19)[2]Android25.17.0 / 29 August 2025; 44 days ago (2025-08-29)[3]iOS1.12.1 / 1 September 2025; 41 days ago (2025-09-01)[4] Written inC++Operating systemWindows 7 and later,macOS Sierra and later,Android 10 and later,iOS 16 and laterPlatformIA-32 and x64Available in58 languagesList of languagesAlbanian, Arabic, Armenian, Azeri (Latin), Belarusian, Bosnian, Brazilian Portuguese (Portugues do Brasil), Bulgarian, Burmese, Catalan (Catala), Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Corsican, Croatian (Hrvatski), Czech (Ceský), Danish, Dutch (Nederlands), English, Estonian (Eesti keel), Farsi, Finnish (Suomi), French (Français), Galician, Georgian, German (Deutsch), Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian (Magyar), Indonesian, Italian (Italiano), Japanese, Kazakh, Korean, Kurdish, Latvian, Lithuanian (Lietuviu), Macedonian, Malaysian, Marathi, Mongolian, Norwegian, Polish (Polski), Portuguese (Portugues), Romanian (Romana), Russian, Serbian (Cyrillic), Serbian (Latin), Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish (Espanol), Swedish (Svenska), Tatar, Thai, Turkish (Türkçe), Turkmen, Ukrainian, Vietnamese.[5]TypeUtility softwareLicenseFreemium for home use; commercial for use in organisations and institutions[6]Websitewww.ccleaner.com
CCleaner (/ˈsiːˌkliːnər/; originally meaning "Crap Cleaner"),[7] developed by Piriform Software, is a utility used to clean potentially unwanted files and invalid Windows Registry entries from a computer. It is one of the longest-established system cleaners, first launched in 2004.[8] It was originally developed for Microsoft Windows only,[9] but in 2012, a macOS version was released. An Android version was released in 2014, and an iOS version was released nine years later.[10]
Features[edit]CCleaner can delete potentially unwanted files left by certain programs, including Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, Windows Media Player, eMule, Google Toolbar, Netscape, Microsoft Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, McAfee, Adobe Flash Player, Sun Ja, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and GIMP[11] along with browsing history, cookies, recycle bin, memory dumps, file fragments, log files, system caches, application data, autocomplete form history, and various other data.[12] The program includes a registry cleaner to locate and correct problems in the Windows registry, such as missing references to shared DLLs, unused registration entries for file extensions, and missing references to application paths.[11] CCleaner 2.27 and later can wipe the MFT free space of a drive, or the entire drive.
CCleaner can uninstall programs or modify the list of programs that execute on startup.[13] Since version 2.19, CCleaner can delete Windows System Restore points. CCleaner can also automatically update installed programs and computer drivers.[14][15]
Piriform also distributes a web browser called CCleaner Browser, included as an optional add-on included within the CCleaner installer. The browser, built on Google's free and open-source project Chromium, includes built-in ad blocking and anti-tracking features. The browser is only ailable for Microsoft Windows.[16][17] The browser is identical to Avast Secure Browser, which is also owned by Piriform's parent company, Gen Digital.[18]
History[edit]CCleaner was first launched in 2004 for Microsoft Windows.[8] It remained a Windows-only utility until 2012. On 2 June 2011, Piriform announced a public beta test program for CCleaner for Mac.[19] The Mac version graduated to the test stage on 30 January 2012.[20]
A commercial Network Edition was also introduced. Piriform released CCleaner for Android in 2014.[21] Nine years later, the app was released for iOS via the Apple App Store.[10]
Critical reception[edit]CNET editors ge the application a rating of 5/5 stars, calling it a 'must-he tool'. It was awarded Editor's Choice Award in April 2009 by CNET.[22] In 2016 Piriform announced 2 billion CCleaner downloads worldwide.[23] In January 2014 it had been the most popular software on FileHippo for more than a year, and had a 5-star editor's rating on download.zone and Softpedia.[24] CCleaner has been reviewed by Chip.de,[25] TechRadar,[26] PC Magazine[27] and TechRepublic.[28]
Data collection[edit]Upon an error in the code, the Active Monitoring component of CCleaner 5.45, which was designed to measure junk levels to trigger cleaning, switched back on again. Piriform recognized this error and confirmed to users that the Active Monitoring feature did not report data. It then changed Active Monitoring to the more accurate title of 'Smart Cleaning'. After criticism later versions allowed data collection to be controlled separately by the user, although some data collection, such as OS and language, which is necessary for the app to be delivered, is still on by default as outlined in the company's Data Factsheet. Piriform states that the data collection is completely anonymous and is used to improve product quality.[29][30][31][32]
Bundled software[edit]Piriform was acquired by Avast in July 2017. In December 2018, it was reported that users installing CCleaner would also he Avast Antivirus installed without their permission, with TechSpot claiming this arguably made CCleaner no better than the malware it was supposed to defend against. Piriform denied this.[33]
In July 2020, Microsoft Windows Defender began flagging the free version of CCleaner as a "potentially unwanted application", stating that "while the bundled applications themselves are legitimate, bundling of software, especially products from other providers, can result in unexpected software activity that can negatively impact user experiences."[34] Piriform rolled out an update days later and third-party software installation is now optional when installing the program.
Malware infection[edit]After Piriform was acquired by Avast, in September 2017, CCleaner 5.33 was compromised by the incorporation of the Floxif trojan horse into the distributed program that could install a backdoor, enabling remote access to 2.27 million[35] machines which had installed CCleaner.[36][37] Avast insisted that the malware was already in CCleaner version 5.33, prior to the purchase of Piriform. Forty of the infected machines received a second-stage payload that appears to he targeted technology companies Samsung, Sony, Asus, Intel, VMWare, O2, Singtel, Gauselmann, Dyn, Chunghwa and Fujitsu.[38][39] On 13 September, Piriform released CCleaner 5.34 and CCleaner Cloud 1.07.3191, without the malicious code.[40]
On 21 October 2019, Avast disclosed a second security breach during which attackers tried again to insert malware inside CCleaner releases. The attempt was unsuccessful.[41]
See also[edit] Malware Utility software References[edit] ^ "CCleaner v7.00.984". piriform.com. Piriform. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025. ^ "CCleaner for Mac v2.09.187". piriform.com. Piriform. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023. ^ "CCleaner – Phone Cleaner". Google Play Store. ^ "CCleaner – Phone Cleaner". Apple App Store. ^ "Changing the language CCleaner uses". CCleaner Documentation. Piriform Ltd. Retrieved 26 October 2018. ^ "Why do I see a message that says 'CCleaner Free is for home use only' or 'CCleaner Free is not free for commercial use?'". Piriform. Retrieved 17 October 2019. ^ "CCleaner". 6 June 2004. Archived from the original on 6 June 2004. Retrieved 22 September 2017. ^ a b Nakodari (7 September 2009). "10 Lessons Software Developers Should Learn From CCleaner's Success". Addictive Tips. Retrieved 25 May 2016. ^ "CCleaner – Optimization and Cleaning – Free Download". Ccleaner.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2011. ^ a b "CCleaner – Phone Cleaner". App Store Apple. Retrieved 23 June 2025. ^ a b "CCleaner – Features". Official web site. Piriform. Retrieved 3 June 2010. ^ "Tuning Windows: Less Bull, More Speed". 20 May 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2009. ^ "Screenshot #5: The Startup Tool". Official web site. Piriform. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010. ^ "CCleaner Version History". Official web site. Piriform. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2013. ^ "Screenshot #6: The System Restore tool". Official web site. Piriform. Archived from the original on 2 November 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010. ^ "CCleaner Browser". CCleaner. Gen Digital Inc. ^ "What's the best browser on the market? | CCleaner". CCleaner. Gen Digital Inc. ^ Venkat. "Piriform launches CCleaner browser, ailable for download". Techdows. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2025. ^ "CCleaner for Mac [Beta] Released". ccleaner.com. 2 June 2011. ^ "CCleaner for Mac v1.01". ccleaner.com. 30 January 2012. Archived from the original on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2019. ^ Ferri-Benedetti, Fabrizio (18 April 2014). "CCleaner for Android: too little, too late?". Softonic. Retrieved 21 June 2017. ^ Rosenblatt, Seth (28 October 2010). "CCleaner". Download.com. Retrieved 15 May 2011. ^ Piriform, Software (3 November 2016). "Piriform Announces 2 Billion CCleaner Downloads Worldwide" (Press release). PR Newswire. Retrieved 2 October 2018. ^ Opris, Elena (7 January 2014). "CCleaner 4 Review". Softpedia.com. Retrieved 31 January 2014. ^ "CCleaner". chip.de. Retrieved 21 February 2016. ^ "Download of the Day: CCleaner". techradar.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016. ^ "CCleaner (for Mac ) Review & Rating". pcmag.com. Retrieved 21 February 2016. ^ "Five Tips For Using CCleaner To Degunk Your System". techrepublic.com. Retrieved 21 February 2016. ^ Milena Dimitrova (3 August 2018). "CCleaner v5.45 Introduces Data Collection with No Way to Opt-Out". Sensors Tech Forum. Retrieved 14 October 2018. ^ "CCleaner v5.46.6652". CCleaner.com. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018. ^ Osborne, Charlie. "CCleaner provokes fury over Active Monitoring, user data collection". ZDNet. Retrieved 28 June 2019. ^ "I'm using CCleaner v5.45. Why is Active Monitoring still on when I he switched it off?". Piriform Support. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018. ^ Did Matthews (19 December 2018). "CCleaner may be installing Avast anti-virus wüüi,t your permission". TechSpot. Retrieved 20 January 2019. ^ "Windows Defender is flagging CCleaner as a Potentially Unwanted Application". TechSpot. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020. ^ Warren, Tom (18 September 2017). "Hackers hid malware in CCleaner software". The Verge. ^ "CCleanup: A Vast Number of Machines at Risk". blog.talosintelligence.com. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017. ^ "Hackers compromised free CCleaner software, Avast's Piriform says". Reuters. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017. ^ Dan Goodin (25 September 2017). "CCleaner backdoor infecting millions delivered mystery payload to 40 PCs". Ars Technica. ^ "Foreign Economic Espionage in Cyberspace" (PDF). CIA. 24 July 2018. ^ Wilson, Jeffrey L.; Rubenking, Neil J. (19 September 2017). "CCleaner Professional Plus". PC Magazine. ^ Cimpanu, Catalin. "Avast says hackers breached internal network through compromised VPN profile". ZDNet. Retrieved 21 October 2019. External links[edit] Official website Media related to CCleaner at Wikimedia Commons vtePiriform SoftwareA subsidiary of Avast, part of Gen DigitalProducts CCleaner Defraggler Recuva Speccy vteGen DigitalPeople Gary Hendrix (founder) Gordon Eubanks (1990s CEO) Vincent Pilette (current CEO) ProductsCurrent Avast Avast Antivirus Avast Secure Browser Avast SecureLine VPN G G AntiVirus G PC TuneUp Avira CCleaner Defraggler Recuva Speccy HMA LifeLock Norton Norton 360 Norton AntiVirus Norton Family Norton Insight Norton LiveUpdate Norton Power Eraser Norton Safe Web Norton System Insight SONAR Spin off Backup Exec Enterprise Vault Ghost Solution Suite (enterprise) Symantec Endpoint Protection Veritas File System Veritas Storage Foundation Veritas Volume Manager Discontinued Drive Image Norton Ghost GoBack GrandView MORE Norton 360 Norton AntiBot Norton CleanSweep Norton Commander Norton ConnectSafe Norton Internet Security Norton PC Checkup Norton Personal Firewall Norton Security Norton SystemWorks Norton Utilities PartitionMagic pcAnywhere Q&A SQZ! 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