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Best Free Browser Scrubber

Last Update: Sat, 06/27/2009 - 08:43 — multiman

 
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Introduction
When you browse the web you accumulate a huge amount of stored data. The sheer quantity is surprising; often gigabytes.  Just what is and what isn't junk is a personal decision. For example, I regard the information stored in my browser's history as a valuable resource, but I know that many see it as clutter. That's why the flexibility to choose exactly what you want to keep or delete is a key requirement.
Discussion

If you exclusively use either Windows Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or now Google's Chrome then CCleaner is my top pick.  It took the lead with version 2.0 and a complete rewrite including the ability to exclude specific files, folders and registry keys from the cleaning process. There are many other applications provide the ability to clean up browsers and your system, but when you take into account CCleaner's customizability, speed, ease of use, it's near-forensic thoroughness, portability and the number applications it can keep clean, then you have a clear winner.  In addition to keeping your browser clean does a great job cleaning up your entire computer including Windows temporary files, Windows Registry, improved Add Remove Program interface,  portability to run from a flash drive and the ability to completely erase your tracks by providing delete options to overwrite deleted files. See the related review Best Free File Cleaner for additional information on CCleaner. 

Caution: One drawback of CCleaner is that it lacks the integrated ability to undo, create a checkpoint, or even backup prior to removing files or making changes.  This is not a problem if you regularly backup or image your system but it can be easily overcome by using one of the many applications that exist for this purpose. For most users the easiest way to do this is to create a system checkpoint.
Related Products and Links

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Quick Selection Guide

CCleaner    Rating 9 of 10  Gizmo's Top Pick
Pros    thorough cleaning, customizable, fast, easy to use, portable
Cons    lack of backup
Developer Home Page   http://www.ccleaner.com/
Download link   http://majorgeeks.com/CCleaner_Slim_No_Toolbar_d4191.html
File Size   979KB   Version 2.21.940   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements 95 - Vista
64 Bit version available   64 Bit version available   Portable version available Portable version available
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free browser scrubber

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This software category is maintained by volunteer editor multiman 

 

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#1Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 14:40.

does anyone know a cleaner that cleans all history on a pc,
like History cleaner freeware (but really free not 15 days ?)

#2Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 15:53.

What's the best cleaner for the iMac?

#3Submitted by danjmilos on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 00:40.

Revo Uninstaller agreat toolfor uninstalling and cleaning your browsers and temp windows files.

#4Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/04/2009 - 20:59.

I agree that among free registry cleaners there are a good ones http://www.registrycleanersreport.com/error-nuker-facts-company-profile-...
Error Nuker review

#5Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/02/2009 - 07:11.

A great tool to use alongside CCleaner is ATF Cleaner.

#6Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 02/28/2009 - 13:06.

Can there really be any other winner? CCleaner is just an awesome app, the perfect blend of functionality, speed and "safeness" for the average user.

#7Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 02/13/2009 - 06:40.

Hi Gizmo and staff

I love your site. Best freeware resource I have come across.

I use Glary ( thanks to your recommendation ) and CCleaner , AND MRU Blaster on the grounds that I like a good scrub. I dont mind that Defraggler ( among 3 defrag utilities I have ) is separate from the cleaners. Not a big deal as far as I am concerned.

The point of using different cleaners is that they use different ALGORYTHMS , and therefore give slightly different cleaning results.

Some folks dont defrag enough because it takes so much time. Here is a hint. Set the defrag running and go to bed :-) . Wake up = defrag done.
I used to run an older steam powered Burroughs mainframe, and a defrag saved 20 minutes on payroll processing. ( the defrag took 5 minutes as a LOT less harddrive and number of files were involved )

I have a PROBLEM. My desktop went beserk after I ran a particularly agressive cleanup using RegSeeker. All icons went left, and will not save their position. I have heard various rumours about a " permission file " that I may have wiped. Can you help me out ??? I just use Active Icon at present, and while this is a bandaid fix, I would rather cure the problem.

Cheers and thanks. Andy

#8Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/02/2009 - 05:20.

A program that I use to keep my system clean is Disk Cleaner. Disk Cleaner is a free open source tool to quickly and easily clean your hard disk from temporary files like those in the system temporary folder, the Internet Explorer Cache and Cookies folder, and the Recycle Bin.

http://www.diskcleaner.nl/

#9Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 12/20/2008 - 14:20.

Wise Disk Cleaner is a good choice for cleaning hard drives. (I find the Wise Registry Cleaner too aggressive, though.)

#10Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 09/06/2008 - 15:07.

I use ATF-cleaner along with CCleaner and EasyCleaner by ToniArts to clean files. Seems to be pretty complete, plus EasyCleaner is the top rated free registry cleaner.

#11Submitted by JonathanT on Sun, 09/07/2008 - 02:19.

Hi

Does ATF Cleaner delete stuff that CCleaner misses?

Thanks

#12Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 09:57.

This is a "must have" maintenance tool in any pc.. Its free, fast and lightweight... Regularly being updated too... What more can you ask? Great product!

#13Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 16:28.

What about CleanUp! by Steven Gould, it found things ccleaner missed

#14Submitted by Anupam on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 16:08.

I use Ccleaner and it does its job well. But it leaves some of the temp folders, like in local settings directory. So i use Empty Temp Folders program to empty the left out folders. Its a nice utility, in which you can add a folder of your own choice which you want to clean.

#15Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/14/2009 - 05:11.

CCleaner doesn't delete files in temp directories unless they are 48 hours old so that installations that reboot can still "update".

However, go to options & advanced in ccleaner, & it WILL clean the temp dir.

Try it sometime, then post the results back here!

#16Submitted by andrews on Wed, 09/10/2008 - 16:04.

Rather than use Empty Temp Folders, which honestly I have not evaluated, I take advantage of the features to include additional folders under the CC Cleaner Options. It does require that I know the location of the Temp Folders that I want to clean. Does Empty Temp Folders do a good job identifying temp folder locations for common applications? In this case I might use it to identify them and then update CCleaner include list so I only need to use one tool for regular maint.

Andrew Seward

Bets46 Category Editor

#17Submitted by Anupam on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 12:16.

I am not using Empty Temp Folders now. I think it just identified the common temp folders. CCleaner missed some of those folders.
I tried Sweepi, and i find it to be very good. It finds more crap than CCleaner, and i mean like 15-20 MB more. So i am using Sweepi nowadays to clean the crap on my PC and its amazing how much it finds.

Anupam Shriwatri, India

#18Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 13:05.

Ccleaner user for over a year - absolutely wonderful product - very highly recommend to others -

#19Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 14:10.

I use Disk Cleaner and CCleaner together, they are complementary.

#20Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 02:32.

CCleaner is the best. It's accurate, fast and enabling / disabling settings is easy.
Don't forget to check regularly for updates !

#21Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 06/20/2008 - 04:39.

ccleaner is without a doubt the best cleaner. I have never
experienced any problems with it. I also use it to remove programs.

#22Submitted by JonathanT on Mon, 06/09/2008 - 06:39.

I think CCleaner is one of the best cleaners and I have used it for a long time. I always feel the default options are not aggressive enough, but maybe that's just me.

#23Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 16:26.

I have been a CCleaner for quite some time now and I really like it. It is simple to use, quick and never gave me problems.

#24Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 17:14.

I've used CCleaner for some time now....I love it. I use the built in registry cleaner as well, and have never experienced any problems. I highly suggest this program!

#25Submitted by Lusher on Sat, 04/19/2008 - 11:19.

One wonders why cleancache is here (it is no longer in development) but the recommended ccleaner isn't...

#26Submitted by andrews on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 23:18.

Thanks for your feedback. I'll check it out and update the review accordingly.

Andrew Seward

Bets46 Category Editor