KCleaner: Clean, K?

KCleaner is a disk cleaner from the same people that made SUMo. It is very much like CCleaner, in that it cleans unneeded files, freeing up disk space. It has many different options to clean, such as the Recycle Bin, Service Pack Uninstallers, and a ton of Caches from all types of programs (Firefox, Songbird, XnView, even TomTom).

There are two very nice features that make KCleaner its own brand of disk cleaner. The first is the option for secure deletion. KCleaner lets you choose from either regular deletion, 1 pass, or 3 pass deletion, and then deletes all junk files in that way.

The other unique feature of KCleaner is "automatic" mode. When you do this, KCleaner will automatically clean every certain number of hours, meaning that you don't ever have to worry about cleaning again (as long as you have the settings how you want them). KCleaner can also minimize to the tray, and also start with Windows, so it can keep your computer clean with little to no user interface.

But it also can be very hands-on. It shows every listed file, and you can check/uncheck individual files that you don't want to be deleted. It actually seems to pick up more than CCleaner, since it just now found 700mb that are dispensible, whereas CCleaner found 200mb (but that may have to do with the options). KCleaner is about 1.7mb in size, 2mb RAM on idle, 5mb on scanning/cleaning.

On top of all this, KCleaner is portable, just click the 7-zip/Zip icon on the KC Softwares download page. I have to say, I love CCleaner and Piriform, but KCleaner looks like it might split my heart when it comes to disk cleaning. (Forgive me, CCleaner!)

Visit KCleaner (KC Softwares) website for download

EasyCleaner: The name describes it all.

EasyCleaner is a very handy freeware that helps with disk cleanup, disk space management, registry cleaning, startup manager, and more, all contained in a tiny 3.5mb program. Ok, maybe not so tiny, but for doing so much, I'd say it's worth it.

So some features:

-Registry Cleaner: Simply put, a very comprehensive registry cleaner. Find, then delete either one by one or all, and you can print or save the results. It's actually more comprehensive than CCleaner. You'll notice that EasyCleaner always picks up more entries, but I have never had one problem, so I'd say it just does a better job.

-Uninstaller: Not listed above, but it does have an uninstaller. It's not as thorough as Revo Uninstaller, but a little more complicated than CCleaner's. You actually are able to edit and delete entries. But for uninstalling, it's just the Windows uninstaller. Oh, you can also save or print this as well.

-Duplicate finder: Like a DoubleKiller built in, but less advanced. There are both include and ignore filters, but you can only select one folder on each drive. And again, you can save or print these results.

-Unnecessary files finder: Like CCleaner, but less advanced. Mostly does cookies, temp directories, and temp files (TMP files). It does have a filter, which CCleaner doesn't have. And you can save or print the results.

-Dead shortcut finder: Second most useful part, in my opinion, behind the registry cleaner. This searches the entire computer for shortcuts whose target is incorrect, or gone. This MAJORLY helps with the start menu and desktop. It also shows if the folder is empty after you delete the folder, so you can delete it as well.

-Space Usage: Like i.Disk, but really less complex and smooth. It does have a pie chart, but it's so small it's not very handy. You can zoom in to a folder and it shows the contents and their sizes and such, but to me, it's just much more clumbsy than i.Disk or other programs like it. (Did I mention that you can print or save the results?)

-Startup manager: Probably one of the most handy startup managers I've seen, but it is a little different. Instead of switching things on and off, it shows you if there are invalid or questionable items int he startup. It lets you delete entries as well. And you can save or print the results.

-IE options: To be honest, when you open EasyCleaner, it looks overwhelming, but three of the seventeen options have to do with IE (which I don't use), and they're just one click. You can clear IE temporary files, cookies, and history with the touch of a button.

-Clear MRU: Just like the above, except not IE. Click it to remove the Most Recently Used program list in the start menu.

-Undo: An option that I don't use as much, but is good. EasyCleaner automatically saves everything that you do to the registry. If you do something wrong, just go into EasyCleaner, go to Undo, find your registry entry, and click "Undo". This is a nice feature that CCleaner doesn't have. CCleaner has the option of backing up your registry changes to a hive file (REG filetype), but you can't easily view what's inside them, whereas EasyCleaner backs it up to a REG, but then also keeps track of them for you.

-Updates: Though it might look like an old program, EasyCleaner is actively supported by ToniArts, with the latest update in 2009 (today being January 18.)

Lastly, EasyCleaner has a bunch of Options that you can tweak for every feature listed above.


So that's the features, but here's some other things that make it good.

-Portable: Very handy to take from PC to PC. Since EasyCleaner is kind of like a cleaup suite, it might be the only app you need when cleaning a friends PC. You can also trim it down to probably about 2mb if you ditch the Undo feature and get rid of the languages and help files.

-Fast: Most of the features are very fast, which makes it very handy.


So when it comes to EasyCleaner, I like to say this: for most of the features, there are programs that do a bettere job, like CCleaner for disk cleanup, Revo Uninstaller for uninstaller, DoubleKiller for double finding, i.Disk for a small disk analyzer, and etc. However, I would have to say, if you want one program that does a good job on all of those things, get EasyCleaner. I recommend EasyCleaner anyway in addition to those, partly because, to me, the registry cleaner and shortcut finder makes it worth it and all the other stuff is just extra. But if you want to install as few programs as possible (like I am on my EEE PC 901), use EasyCleaner.

*I did not make the icon at the top. It was made on this site, and I do not clame credit for it.

Visit EasyCleaner (ToniArts) website for download

Revo Uninstaller: all installations will bow in fear.

Don't get me wrong, Window's uninstaller is ok, and CCleaner's uninstaller is even better, but it still lacks something. That something is Revo Uninstaller.

Here are a few key features it has:

-Comprehensive installation list: I've gone through a few uninstallers, and I have to say, Revo brings up most of them, if not all. I do have to complain though, it does take a while to update the list for a large amount of installations.

-Hunter Mode: As if uninstalling wasn't enough, Revo adds "Hunter Mode" which is essentially a target that can be dragged onto a shortcut or a running application, and then you can uninstall that application. This will sometimes work if the application doesn't happen to show up in the list. But then, other times it won't. So it's a nice feature anyway.

-Autorun Manager: Yup, this too. This program actually live monitors and alerts you when something is added or changed from the startup list. It actually gives a little more functionality than CCleaner, as you can actually click "Go To Location and zoom to that place in the registry.

-Junk Files Cleaner: Kinda like CCleaner, but not as good, in my opinion. I haven't used it as much, but it actually looks like it searches for differnet types of files than CCleaner. I just now, literally, learned that it also has an option to delete cookies, cache, etc of IE, Firefox, Opera, and Netscape, and other things like Microsoft office cleaner, and more things like I listed in CCleaner. Just my preference, but I'll stick with CCleaner.

-Secure Deletion: Again, just learned about it, but apparently, it has an option for secure deletion of files and folders. Never used it, so I can't say anything at this point.

-System Restore before uninstall: Perhaps my favorite feature; if you're into system restore, you'll probably love it too. What if you uninstall something, and you change your mind? You'll have a restore point to go back to. Also, it provides a bunch of system restores to go back to in case something else goes awry, since I'm not normally thinking about planning ahead for disaster....

-Scans for leftovers:My other favorite part. Almost every -EVERY- uninstall I've run, there are at least 4 leftover registry items. Revo finds those. True, this is kinda what CCleaner does, but Revo searches for Start Menu and does a better job, in my opinion.

-Google integration: Maybe a bad term for it, but I love that right clicking, it says "Search Google For:" and then the program or the company or what have you. Makes it easy if I don't know what something is.

It's alot of stuff packed into an uninstaller. The only thing I can't figure out is what the different modes are. Built-in runs only the normal uninstaller, but Safe, Moderate, and Advanced confuse me. But I suppose it's all about preference....I usually just use Moderate.

Visit RevoUninstaller's website for Download

CCleaner: Crap cleaner extraordinaire.

CCleaner has four main functions, and has some other advantages:

1. It cleans the hard drive.
This includes

• IE, Firefox, and Opera cookies, history, autofill, cache, and more
• Windows explorer things such as MRUs (Most Recently Used programs)
  
• Empyting the recycle bin (very useful)
• Start menu and desktop shortcuts
• Other apps like Foxit Reader, ImgBurn, MS Office 2003, and tons, tons more, as is installed on your system.
• And it you can specially select folder for it to clean every time (example: C:\MY FOLDER\TEMP)
  

Very useful for cleaning your system regularly, or cleaning a system that has never been cleaned before.
2. Clean system registry.
Even more useful, in my opinion. Scans for unused entries, empty start menu entries, installer errors, and more. When first running it on a system, it can clean up hundreds of uneeded entries. It also adds the option to backup the registry, which is VERY helpful. But do keep in mind, I have NEVER run into a problem with CCleaner deleting a vital registry item over the YEARS that I have used it.
3. Uninstaller.
I love it. On top of cleaning my disk and my registry, CCleaner helps me uninstall. I used this function for a long time, and it's great if you don't want another software for uninstalling. It lets you rename and delete entries, run the uninstaller from an INSTANTLY LOADED list, and save all options (installations) to a text file. The only problem is that I don't think CCleaner always grabs every installation. But I mean, if not, no biggey, pull up the Windows uninstaller, and procede. But I love CCleaner's uninstaller a ton more otherwise.
4. Startup editor.
Yeah, yeah, I know, you can do this from MSConfig. But can you delete entries?!?! I don't think so. CCleaner, however, can. For some strange, stupid reason, sometimes when you uninstall a program, its option gets stuck in the startup menu. Sure you can just switch it off, but still, your list starts to build up of software you don't use and don't even have on your computer. So CCleaner lets you delete them for good.

That's the 4 basic functions. Here's some other advantages:

-Command line interface: That way you can run it from a batch file, or a different program, like Cobian Backup before a backup of Firefox profiles. Here are additional options:

• /AUTO - most useful command line option. Runs CCleaner (just with the icon in the tray), then closes it.
• /DEBUG - runs CCleaner in debug mode.
• /SHUTDOWN - will shutdown the computer after CCleaner is finished.

The following are for the CCleaner installer.

• /S - installs WITHOUT setup screen.
• /D - changes install directory. Like setup.exe /S /D=C:\CCleaner
• /L - installs language that you choose. Like setup.exe /S /D=C:\CCleaner /L=1033

-Minimize to tray: ok, not the most unique feature, but it is nice.

-Regular updates: when I say regular, I mean regular. The good people at Piriform put out an update at least once a month. These people are committed to good freeware (their motto on the website is "The best software is free!"), and thus I am committed to them.

-Portability: that's right, clean crap on the go. It's not on PortableApps, but you can find it on CCleaner's website under other builds. Just download the zip, unzip it to your flash drive, and let 'er fly! I can tell you, this is one handy tip for helping someone else's computer.


CCleaner is a great little app. It does an awesome job, uses barely any RAM and CPU, and can go anywhere.

Visit CCleaner Website for Download