Win10 native "disk cleanup" vs. CCleaner: temp files discrepancy

MoxieMomma · 18 Jul 2016

Hi, all:

Is there a logical explanation for an enormous discrepancy between the number of "temp files" found by the native Windows "disk cleanup" utility and the number found by CCleaner?

Having set up my new OEM Win10 box ~6 days ago and having more or less finished installing all M$ updates, 3rd-party software and data, I thought I would do a bit of tidying up.
Having used both the native utility and CCleaner for many years under XP, Vista and 7, I expected that CCleaner would find more temp files than Windows.
But I did not expect a difference of several hundred MB (many more by CCleaner than by Windows).

Needless to say, I will create a system restore point before taking action.
But I am still squeamish about letting CCleaner remove a few hundred Mb of temp files, when Windows only wants to remove a fraction of that number.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
MM

Slartybart · 18 Jul 2016

MoxieMomma said:

Hi, all:

Is there a logical explanation for an enormous discrepancy between the number of "temp files" found by the native Windows "disk cleanup" utility and the number found by CCleaner?

Having set up my new OEM Win10 box ~6 days ago and having more or less finished installing all M$ updates, 3rd-party software and data, I thought I would do a bit of tidying up.
Having used both the native utility and CCleaner for many years under XP, Vista and 7, I expected that CCleaner would find more temp files than Windows.
But I did not expect a difference of several hundred MB (many more by CCleaner than by Windows).

Needless to say, I will create a system restore point before taking action.
But I am still squeamish about letting CCleaner remove a few hundred Mb of temp files, when Windows only wants to remove a fraction of that number.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
MM

The options probably make the difference. Windows CleanMgr and cCleaner allow you to select categories. cCleaner has a bit more depth -if you select fewer categories, the difference will not be as great (it's hard to match the two exactly)

(screen shots are from my Win8 machine)

On the Windows tab: I clean almost everything
- other people don't (recent, passwords, events, prefetch.....)

Win10 native "disk cleanup" vs. CCleaner: temp files discrepancy-optsccleaner.png

On the Application tab: I clean almost everything

Win10 native "disk cleanup" vs. CCleaner: temp files discrepancy-optsccleanerapptab.png

In the Registry function, I clean everything (yes to backup if important). I leave the file association errors until something else is reported (usually I uninstall something I wanted to test)
-> You might have to run the registry cleanup function two or three times to catch reg entries that have dependencies on entries cleaned in the previous runs.

I've never had an issue on any machine after running cCleaner - a few other people have experiences some anomalies.

fdegrove · 18 Jul 2016

Hi,

There are even more drastic cleaning programs out there which remove far more than either Windows Disk Cleaner or CCleaner.
One thing though, if you check the box for Windows Defender it will clear its log file and will nag you with a message inviting you to let it run again.

That said, CCleaner is very safe to use and that includes its Registry Cleaner which I often run after every clean install of Win 10.

Cheers,

galaxys · 18 Jul 2016

Yep, CCleaner has always worked a treat for my PC!

MoxieMomma · 20 Jul 2016

Slartybart said:

The options probably make the difference.

Sorry if I was not clear -- I am only talking about a "head-to-head" comparison of one category: Windows Temp Files.
CCleaner says (probably correctly) that there are a few 100 MB (not unexpected after a week of installing software, Windows updates, etc.)
But the native Windows disk cleaner utility only finds a few.

Windows CleanMgr and cCleaner allow you to select categories.

Yes, I am aware, thanks. Have been using both utilities for many years, under XP, Vista, 7 and now 10.

I've never had an issue on any machine after running cCleaner - a few other people have experiences some anomalies.

I only recall one serious problem a few years ago on one of my Win7 boxes.
I generally trust the program.

I am only curious as to the wide discrepancy between the SYSTEM TEMP FILES CCleaner finds for removal and the SYSTEM TEMP FILES Windows Disk Cleaner finds for removal.
I would think that, to some extent, Windows probably knows "best" what it can/should clean up?

Thanks!
MM

MoxieMomma · 20 Jul 2016

fdegrove said:

Hi,

There are even more drastic cleaning programs out there which remove far more than either Windows Disk Cleaner or CCleaner.
One thing though, if you check the box for Windows Defender it will clear its log file and will nag you with a message inviting you to let it run again.

That said, CCleaner is very safe to use and that includes its Registry Cleaner which I often run after every clean install of Win 10.

Cheers,

Thanks, yes, I am quite familiar with CCleaner.
I know which 3rd-party programs to uncheck from its options (no, I do not use Windows Defender, but I know that is one of them).
And I do not use the CCleaner registry cleaner.
Over the years, I have found it to be quite reliable and safe.

I am only curious now as to the wide discrepancy between the SYSTEM TEMP FILES CCleaner finds for removal and the SYSTEM TEMP FILES Windows Disk Cleaner finds for removal.
I would think that, to some extent, Windows probably knows "best" what it can/should clean up?

Thanks again,
MM

Slartybart · 20 Jul 2016

If you double click the category in cCleaner, it shows you the files it will clean.

Win10 native "disk cleanup" vs. CCleaner: temp files discrepancy-ccleanexpandcat.png

I'm not sure how to show what CleanMgr will clean. Right click ?? Double click ??

edit: The utilities might place different files in different categories - just a thought

The defaults for CleanMgr might not select as many locations to clean.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/253597

try: Disk Cleanup - Open and Use in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
This sets and runs the full blown options for CleanMgr and might match more closely what cCleaner finds

JohnBurns · 20 Jul 2016

Just don't overdo the cleaning - some apps may not work properly if you clean too thoroughly. For instance, my mouseover tooltips quit working after I clear thumbnail cache. I am apprehensive about cleaning anything I am not absolutely sure about. This is particularly true about registry items. I don't need the space, so I just use caution with my manual cleaning.

MoxieMomma · 22 Jul 2016

Slartybart said:

If you double click the category in cCleaner, it shows you the files it will clean.

I'm not sure how to show what CleanMgr will clean. Right click ?? Double click ??

edit: The utilities might place different files in different categories - just a thought

The defaults for CleanMgr might not select as many locations to clean.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/253597

try: Disk Cleanup - Open and Use in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
This sets and runs the full blown options for CleanMgr and might match more closely what cCleaner finds

Good idea, I will check it out.

Thanks,
MM

MoxieMomma · 22 Jul 2016

JohnBurns said:

Just don't overdo the cleaning - some apps may not work properly if you clean too thoroughly. <snip>

Yes, that is the reason why I posted my query.
I do not want to get into "registry cleaning".

I really only seek an explanation for the unprecedented discrepancy between the Windows utility and CCleaner in that one category, SYSTEM TEMPORARY FILES.:)

Thanks!
MM