PC-Cleaning Tools to Speed Your Computer

Does it take forever for your PC applications to load? Are Web pages loading slowly despite your super-fast broadband connection? Is your hard drive riddled with duplicate files and the detritus of old programs and settings? Maybe it’s time for your system to enjoy a bit of spring cleaning. Here are a few free utilities that specialize in "cleaning" your PC. Among other things, these applications can remove unnecessary files, track down duplicates, and help insure clean uninstalls — speeding up your system and cleaning out space used by junk and temporary files.

CCleaner is an application that works primarily with your PC’s registry (a repository of configuration information that other applications rely on). On a PC, the larger the registry gets, the more likely the computer slows down. So CCleaner removes all unnecessary entries from the registry, along with temporary files and browser cookies. This means CCleaner is also a security tool of sorts, removing the information that can tell others what you’ve been doing with your PC. It’s easy to use and simple to install.

Price: Free

CCEnhancer is actually a plugin for — you guessed it — CCleaner, which lets the program work with a wider variety of applications, around 500 more than what’s possible on the default version. In short, it's a quick way to improve CCleaner, which is already excellent.

Price: Free

WinUtilities offers users a range of tools to clean up and optimize their file systems. Registry backup and cleaning, program cache and temp file dumping, duplicate file search, a file shredder and more are available in this free suite of programs. A customizable one-click maintenance function allows you to run a battery of utilities without having to open up each submenu. Scheduled tasks are among the features of the Pro version.

Price: Free / $29.99

With this application, it is possible to clean the system thoroughly. SlimCleaner lets you delete the log files, temporary data or search history of Windows. It also deletes files left by the disc-burning tool in Windows, and applications such as Paint, WordPad, iTunes, VLC and many others. Some of the more effective plugins for the utility include a CPU/RAM status tool, a utility that completely uninstalls software, and an app that makes sure your web browsers are running properly.

Price: Free

A program management and Windows uninstall replacement, Comodo Programs Manager allows users to search for and remove residual traces and registry changes left behind by uninstalled programs. For more accurate cleaning, CPM can also actively monitor installations for more detailed information on what to remove during an uninstall. A backup option allows you to restore an installation should something unexpected occur.

Price: Free

Sick of bloatware, unnecessary toolbars, and other extraneous crap slowing your system down? Perhaps an application like Should I Remove It? might be helpful. This app performs a quick scan of your installed software, compares it with its servers, and then displays the software in order, with starred ratings and color-coded bars that recommend keeping or replacing the software. You can click on the entries for more information, which will link to Should I Remove It?'s page, with a short description and known behaviors. It's a useful tool for those looking to clear up cluttered systems.

Price: Free

Auslogics Duplicate File Finder (ADFF) helps you track down duplicate files. Simply go through a checklist of drives you wish to scan, go through a quick wizard interface that lets you set the strictness of criteria and other settings, and ADFF will proceed to scan the selected drives. Results are then displayed, allowing you to select files to keep or delete. Additionally, you can choose to delete files in the recycle bin, back them up to a rescue center, or have them permanently deleted.

Price: Free