Laptops and PCs aren’t going anywhere but that also means, despite advancements in hardware, that they will get clogged up and slow down over time. It’s an innevitable problem even if you’re very careful but software can help with that and PC cleaners are a quick and easy solution. baga s31
You might not even be running low on storage space, but there are lots of ways these clever bits of software can seek out why your machine is running slowly from registry items to start-up programs.
Windows has some built-in tools to help you clear unused files and programs, but for the best results, you’ll want to use dedicated PC cleaner software. There are many apps available, but those we’ve tested here are all relatively inexpensive while offering a comprehensive service.
For consistent testing, we used a laptop that’s been used for over three years with an almost full C: drive (80GB in capacity). All the applications have been tested with identical conditions, controlled by creating a system image before any testing was conducted and restoring this for each new piece of software.
This means each one had the same set of files, registry entries and settings to deal with. We simply installed each one and let it do its job to see how well it could do. You can also check out the best antivirus software to protect your machine.
CCleaner Professional – Best Overall
A stalwart of the PC cleaner world, CCleaner Professional is still the best option for an all-rounder starting with a cheaper price than the other rivals here. There’s no option for 10 machines, but Plus works on three which may be enough for most people anyway.
Despite this, it managed to clean more total space from our test laptop than any other so performance is top-notch. We’d just like a little more control over what is deleted.
The interface is perhaps a little dated and can take time to learn but it’s serviceable and there are plenty of tools on offer here to get various tasks done as well as automatic cleaning and scheduling.
IObit Advanced SystemCare – Best User Interface
Advanced SystemCare Pro has the modern user interface that CCleaner Professional is lacking so it’s great for new or experienced users.
Performance is solid, freeing up a decent amount of storage and also RAM, too. Like CCleaner, though, some more user control over which junk files are deleted.
Furthermore, there’s a comprehensive set of tools available for various other tasks you might want to carry out. All of this comes at a reasonable price making it a great option for a PC cleaner app.
Ashampoo WinOptimizer – Best for Multiple Machines
In contrast to CCleaner and IObit, WinOptimizer 19 is better for users that want PC cleaning software on a larger number of machines. There’s just a 10 PC option rather than three or one.
It is good value if this fits your needs though, especially if you don’t want an annual subscription like rivals.
The software has a user-friendly interface and if you’re a novice the 1-Click Optimizer will solve a lot of problems with minimal fuss and it has lots of other tools for the more tech-savvy customer.
We found performance to be good, although it took a couple of scans to find everything that could be cleared up.