Resolved CCleaner

Is CCleaner a worthwhile addition?

 

Yes, it has been for a number of years.

 

Once again, and as usual, I agree with retiredlearner.

However, if you are asking because you are running desperately low on free disk space and you want to free up some space, it really makes no sense to download and install yet another program that will eat up even more of that precious disk space. If that is the case, I recommend you first look through your Control Panel's "Programs and Features" applet and uninstall any programs you installed but no longer use. If you are not sure what a program is, Bing Google it. If still not sure, leave it!

Then use Windows own Disk Cleanup drive tool to clean out the clutter.

Then download CCleaner.

Now some will likely balk because CCleaner has a Registry cleaner feature. First, not all Registry cleaners are alike and IMO, it is ignorant and naive to lump them all together and to especially lump CCleaner's in with the others. I have used CCleaner on 100s of computers countless number of times over the years and never, NOT ONCE had it "brick" a computer. At worse, any problem encountered was quickly remedied with a simple reboot.

For sure, I cannot say the same for other Registry cleaners and system "optimizers" that promise to make our computers run better than new. What makes CCleaner's stand out is that (1) it is VERY conservative. (2) It always prompts to backup the Registry before making any changes. And (3) the restore from that backup actually works.

Now I am not suggesting you run the Registry cleaner. While a fan of CCleaner's, even I admit there is little advantage and negligible (if any!) performance gains in doing so. And it is true, there are always risks when dinking with Registries. I am just saying don't let anyone scare you off with unwarranted claims CCleaner will break your system. The program would not have been so successful and around for so many years if that was true.

My philosophy is this. Don't run the Registry cleaner in an attempt to fix a broken Windows. It should really be used a periodic maintenance tool to "maintain" a properly running computer. That's how I use it.

Now for the regular CCleaner Cleaner feature, you can run that every day, if you want - though once a month is plenty for most.

 

I thought it might help prevent serious issues, if not why pay for it?

 

I never suggested paying for it. I only use and recommend the free version.

The downside to the free program is, like ALL free programs, you have to pay attention when installing it or you might unintentionally install extras you don't want on your system. In this case, it would AVAST too. So if you haphazardly go with the defaults when installing, you might miss the opt-out option.

For me, I see little advantage to paying for the pro version. I don't need real-time monitoring, scheduled cleaning, or premium tech support. You might need or just want those extras and that's fine.

However, I also believe in supporting the developers of free programs I use and like. So if you really like CCleaner and would like to show your support, I think $20 (they are having a discount promotion right now) for a one-time, life time license is very reasonable.

And of course, if you will be using it for other than personal use, you need to buy a license. But I think that is fair.

 

Mentioned is payment for one-time licence. My activate code CCleaner is no longer recognised. Another program Malwarebytes that I used had also a one-time licence but also find now it requires an annual cost of £50 and renewable each year. It appears one-time licence no longer applies to these programs.

 

I cannot speak for CCleaner as I never purchased a one-time license for it. But I did, years ago purchase nearly a dozen one-time lifetime licenses of Malwarebytes - several for my systems, and several as for gifts, for my kids and their computers. And all those one-time Malwarebytes licenses still work just fine - even as they were migrated from the old Malwarebytes Anti-malware 2.x (MBAM 2.x) to the new Malwarebytes 3.x (MB 3.x).

So while one-licenses for Malwarebytes can no longer be purchased, they are still honoring those that were purchased previously. I suggest you make sure you are entering the correct ID and Key codes. Also, make sure you are not using those same codes with more than one computer.

 

I speak only, for my own experience with Malwarebytes, the activation code has unfortunately exceeded the permitted number of seven times allowed, resulting in my account being now blocked. One reason as recommended by you in another Post, now using Spyblaster guarding my computer in the background. Notified by RevoUinstaller that my copy (also had a one time Life License), that is until last November and had to pay for a new yearly update payment. Today had a new Revo periodic update, and notifying me that I had only 202 days left before it too becomes expired. From these three examples, it appears that lifetime cover is a thing of the past . To save a few pounds, a two year payment is available.

 

Umm, not me. That is not a program I use, have ever used, or have ever recommended. I have nothing against it, just don't feel it is needed.

I also am not aware of any 7 time limit. I recommend you check with the Malwarebytes site on that. I note the license is tied to you, the user. And you can transfer it to a different PC you own, as long as it is installed on one PC at a time.

I note different companies do, indeed see the definition of "lifetime" differently. I first encountered this over 20 years ago with WinZip. I had a lifetime license and indeed, they honored it for several years. But then, they changed to the program to "WinZip for Windows" and suddenly it was considered a different program and my lifetime license was no more.

But there are other companies to have not changed the meaning of the word and Malwarebytes is one of them. So is Firetrust (for MailWasher Pro, my spam blocker which I have had a lifetime license since 2003, and SUPERAntiSpyware since 2008). And all of those have been used on many PCs during all that time.

And a quick comment about SUPERAntiSpyware - I only have it, and still have it because it was given to me by the company to evaluate all those years ago.

I frankly would not bother with Revo. You don't need it either.

 

And Revo is FREE. I for the life of me can't figure out why you pay for programs when they have FREE versions.

 

I don't use or recommend 3rd party driver programs so I cannot speak for Revo either (other than to say we don't need it). But speaking generally, there are legitimate reasons to pay for some programs.

For one, in many cases, the paid version gets you additional features that you may want. For example, the free version of Malwarebytes is a great program but the paid version includes a real-time component to make it even better. That's probably an example of the most obvious reason.

MailWasher is a great spam blocker - if you have just 1 email address you want to cover. But MailWasher Pro lets you manage all your email addresses - among other features.

Other reasons include tech support - which often comes with paid versions that some may find attractive. Whereas with totally free programs, you are often on your own.

Some paid versions of programs are ad-free - very nice.

One of the less obvious reasons is to simply show appreciation for the developer for the "freeware" program you like and use.

 

Can I point out as I was told by Malwarebytes you are covered for 14 days trial, there after you pay £50 a year. Failing to upgrade to Premium, computer is covered only if infected by malware, together no longer able to activate any codes or access to account details.

 

If you go past the free trial period and don't subscribe, your computer is not covered for anything. This is because the free version does not provide real-time monitoring and protection. It is an "on-demand" scanner only.

 

That is completely in a nutshell 100% correct. God help us all, if all the excellent free software decide no more, pay us or do without.

 

I agree but at the same time, these software programmers deserve to earn a decent living to feed and shelter their families too. So the must earn revenue somehow. This is typically done in one or more ways. These include (1) You have to buy the program. (2) The program includes ads. (3) Added stuff (junk?) gets foisted on our systems (like unwanted toolbars) with the program. And (4), the program collects then sells telemetry data about you, your computer, or your computing habits - hopefully not in a malicious way.

 

Finally, there is no such thing as a free lunch, pay it or do without.

 

My FREE lunch has been working for years. Don't remember the last time it failed me. But, to each his own.