How to Uninstall CCleaner
Complete removal guide for Windows, Mac, and Android. Remove CCleaner cleanly and safely.
Before You Uninstall
If you're having issues with CCleaner, consider these alternatives before uninstalling:
- 💡Reinstall: Many problems can be fixed by reinstalling the latest version.
- 🔄Reset Settings: Go to Options > Settings > Restore Defaults.
- 💬Get Help: Visit the CCleaner forums for support.
- ⚙️Disable Features: Turn off monitoring or scheduled cleaning if that's what's bothering you.
Still want to uninstall? Follow the guides below for your platform.
Uninstall from Windows
1Method 1: Standard Uninstall (Recommended)
Step 1: Open Settings
Press Windows Key + I, or click Start > Settings.
• Windows 11: Settings > Apps > Installed apps
• Windows 10: Settings > Apps > Apps & features
Step 2: Find CCleaner
Scroll down or use the search box to find 'CCleaner'.
💡 It might be listed as 'CCleaner' or 'CCleaner Free'.
Step 3: Uninstall
Click the three dots (...) or 'Uninstall' button next to CCleaner.
• Windows 11: Click three dots > Uninstall
• Windows 10: Click CCleaner > Uninstall
Step 4: Confirm Removal
Click 'Yes' when asked if you want to uninstall. The uninstaller will launch.
💡 May require administrator permission.
Step 5: Complete Uninstall
Follow the uninstaller prompts. Takes about 30 seconds.
💡 You may be asked if you want to keep settings - choose 'No' for complete removal.
2Method 2: Control Panel (Windows 7/8/10)
Step 1: Open Control Panel
Press Windows Key + R, type control, press Enter.
Step 2: Programs and Features
Click "Programs" > "Programs and Features" (or "Uninstall a program").
Step 3: Find and Remove
Find CCleaner in the list, click it, then click "Uninstall" at the top.
Step 4: Follow Prompts
Complete the uninstall wizard. Click "Yes" to confirm removal.
3Method 3: CCleaner's Built-in Uninstaller
Navigate to Installation Folder
Default location: C:\Program Files\CCleaner
Find and double-click uninst.exe
Run Uninstaller
Follow the prompts to remove CCleaner completely.
Remove Leftover Files & Registry Entries
After uninstalling, some files and registry entries may remain. Here's how to remove them:
1. Delete Leftover Folders
Check and delete these folders if they still exist:
- C:\Program Files\CCleaner
- C:\ProgramData\Piriform
- C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Piriform
- C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\Piriform
💡 Press Windows Key + R, type the path, press Enter to navigate.
2. Clean Registry Entries (Advanced)
⚠️ Warning: Only for advanced users. Incorrect registry edits can break Windows. Backup your registry first!
- 1. Press Windows Key + R, type
regedit, press Enter - 2. Go to File > Export to backup your registry
- 3. Navigate to and delete these keys if they exist:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Piriform
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Piriform
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\CCleaner
- 4. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer
3. Use a Dedicated Uninstaller (Easiest)
Third-party uninstallers can remove all traces automatically:
- Revo Uninstaller - Free version available, thorough removal
- IObit Uninstaller - Free, user-friendly
- Geek Uninstaller - Portable and free
These tools scan for leftover files and registry entries after uninstalling.
Uninstall from Mac
Step 1: Open Applications Folder
Open Finder, click 'Applications' in the sidebar.
Step 2: Find CCleaner
Scroll down or search for 'CCleaner' in the Applications folder.
Step 3: Drag to Trash
Drag the CCleaner app icon to the Trash (or right-click > Move to Trash).
Step 4: Empty Trash
Right-click the Trash icon in Dock > Empty Trash. Enter password if prompted.
Step 5: Remove Support Files (Optional)
Open Finder > Go menu > Go to Folder. Type ~/Library and press Enter. Delete these folders if present:
- ~/Library/Application Support/Piriform
- ~/Library/Caches/com.piriform.ccleaner
- ~/Library/Preferences/com.piriform.ccleaner.plist
Uninstall from Android
Method 1: Settings
- 1. Open Settings app
- 2. Tap Apps or Applications
- 3. Find and tap CCleaner
- 4. Tap Uninstall
- 5. Confirm removal
Method 2: Google Play
- 1. Open Google Play Store
- 2. Tap profile icon (top right)
- 3. Tap "Manage apps & device"
- 4. Find CCleaner
- 5. Tap Uninstall
📱 Quick Method:
Long-press the CCleaner app icon on your home screen > tap "Uninstall" or drag to "Uninstall" at the top of screen.
Uninstall Problems & Solutions
❌ Can't find CCleaner in Programs list
✅ Solution: CCleaner may have been installed as portable version or manually deleted. Check C:\Program Files\CCleaner for leftover files and delete the folder manually.
❌ 'Uninstall failed' or 'Access denied' error
✅ Solution: 1) Close CCleaner if it's running (check system tray). 2) Restart your computer. 3) Right-click on uninst.exe and select 'Run as administrator'. 4) Temporarily disable antivirus.
❌ CCleaner still shows up after uninstalling
✅ Solution: Restart your computer. If it persists, manually delete leftover folders and registry entries (see above), or use a third-party uninstaller.
❌ Can't uninstall CCleaner Pro
✅ Solution: Same process as free version. Your license will remain valid if you reinstall within the subscription period.
❌ Uninstaller won't launch
✅ Solution: Download and reinstall CCleaner from the official site, then try uninstalling again. This replaces corrupted uninstaller files.
Looking for Alternatives?
If you're uninstalling CCleaner to try something else, check out our comparison of the best PC cleaners.
View CCleaner Alternatives📝 Important Notes
- ✓ Uninstalling CCleaner won't undo changes it made to your system
- ✓ Your saved registry backups will be deleted during uninstall
- ✓ CCleaner Pro license remains valid if you reinstall
- ✓ Custom settings and exclusions will be lost
- ✓ You can always reinstall CCleaner if you change your mind