How to Use CCleaner: A Beginner's Guide

Step-by-step tutorials to master CCleaner and optimize your PC

How to Run CCleaner for the First Time

New to CCleaner? This tutorial will guide you through your first cleaning session, step by step.

1

Launch CCleaner

Open CCleaner from your Start menu or desktop shortcut. The main window will appear with several options.

💡 Tips:

  • • Click 'Health Check' for automated cleaning
  • • Or choose 'Custom Clean' for manual control
2

Choose Health Check (Recommended for Beginners)

Click the large 'Health Check' button on the left sidebar. This automated option is perfect for first-time users.

💡 Tips:

  • • Health Check is safe and won't delete important files
  • • It scans for junk files, privacy issues, and security problems
3

Review the Results

CCleaner will scan your PC (takes 10-30 seconds) and show you what it found: junk files, privacy traces, outdated software, and startup programs.

💡 Tips:

  • • Note how much disk space you can free up
  • • Review each category before proceeding
4

Make CCleaner Better

CCleaner will ask to improve its services. You can decline if you prefer.

💡 Tips:

  • • This is optional and doesn't affect functionality
5

Click 'Make it Better'

Click the blue button to clean your PC. CCleaner will remove junk files, clear browser data, and optimize startup programs.

💡 Tips:

  • • This process usually takes 5-30 seconds
  • • You'll see a summary of what was cleaned
6

Review the Results

CCleaner shows you exactly what was cleaned, how much space was freed, and how many startup programs were optimized.

💡 Tips:

  • • Write down the amount of space freed
  • • Consider running Health Check monthly

How to Safely Use the Registry Cleaner

⚠️ Important Warning

The registry cleaner can potentially cause problems if used incorrectly. Most users don't need to clean the registry. Only proceed if you're experiencing specific issues.

Always create a backup before cleaning the registry!

1

Create a System Restore Point

Before cleaning the registry, create a restore point:

  • • Open Start menu, type 'Create a restore point'
  • • Click 'Create' button
  • • Name it 'Before CCleaner Registry Clean'
  • • Wait for Windows to create the restore point
2

Open Registry Cleaner

In CCleaner, click 'Registry' in the left sidebar. You'll see various registry issue types checked by default.

3

Scan for Issues

Click 'Scan for Issues'. CCleaner will search for registry problems. This typically finds 100-500 issues (this is normal!).

4

Save a Backup

Click 'Fix selected issues'. CCleaner will ask to save a backup. ALWAYS click 'Yes' and save the backup file.

  • • Save to Documents\CCleaner
  • • The backup file is named with date/time
  • • You can restore this if something goes wrong
5

Fix Issues

Click 'Fix All Selected Issues'. CCleaner will clean the registry entries.

6

Restart Your Computer

After registry cleaning, restart your PC to ensure changes take effect properly.

How to Restore Registry Backup

If something goes wrong after registry cleaning:

  1. 1. Navigate to Documents → CCleaner folder
  2. 2. Find the most recent .reg file
  3. 3. Double-click it and confirm you want to add it to registry
  4. 4. Restart your computer

How to Manage Startup Programs to Speed Up Your PC

Startup programs can significantly slow down your boot time. Here's how to manage them with CCleaner:

1

Open Startup Manager

Click 'Tools' in the left sidebar, then select 'Startup'. You'll see all programs that launch when Windows starts.

💡 High impact on boot speed

2

Identify Unnecessary Programs

Look for programs you don't need immediately at startup. Common culprits:

Common examples:

  • • iTunes Helper
  • • Adobe updaters
  • • Spotify
  • • Discord
  • • Steam
  • • Manufacturer bloatware
3

Disable Programs

Select a program and click 'Disable'. This prevents it from starting automatically, but you can still open it manually when needed.

💡 Programs can still be launched manually

4

Check Other Startup Locations

Use the tabs at the top to check 'Windows', 'Scheduled Tasks', and 'Context Menu' for additional startup items.

💡 Be cautious with system processes

5

Test Your Changes

Restart your computer and time the boot process. You should notice a significant improvement!

💡 Typical improvement: 10-30 seconds faster

⚠️ Programs to Keep Enabled

  • ✅ Antivirus software (Windows Defender, etc.)
  • ✅ Graphics card control panels (NVIDIA, AMD)
  • ✅ Essential hardware drivers
  • ✅ Cloud storage sync (if you use it actively)
  • ✅ VPN software (if you need it at startup)

How to Use the Disk Analyzer to Free Up Space

1

Access Disk Analyzer

Click 'Tools' in the left sidebar, then select 'Disk Analyzer'. This tool helps you visualize what's taking up space on your drives.

2

Select a Drive

Choose which drive to analyze (usually C:). Click 'Analyze' and wait for the scan to complete (can take 1-5 minutes).

3

Review the Results

You'll see a pie chart showing file types and their sizes. Common space hogs include videos, games, photos, and temporary files.

4

Drill Down

Click on any segment to see which folders contain those files. Navigate through the folder tree to find large files.

5

Take Action

Once you've identified large unnecessary files, you can delete them directly or use Windows File Explorer to manage them.

Common Space-Wasting Folders

  • 📁 Downloads Folder: Old files you no longer need
  • 📁 Windows.old: Previous Windows installation (can be 10-30 GB)
  • 📁 AppData\\Local\\Temp: Temporary files
  • 📁 Windows\\SoftwareDistribution: Windows Update files
  • 📁 Steam/Games: Old games you don't play

Ready to Optimize Your PC?

Now that you know how to use CCleaner, get it and start cleaning!

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