Windows 10: Win10 native "disk cleanup" vs. CCleaner: temp files discrepancy

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

:)

 

Disk Cleanup fails

I CANNOT verify that any space is gained because that information appears on the results box AFTER Disk Cleanup completes the Drive scan and reports line items like Downloaded Program Files, Temp Internet Files, etc, and the amount of space one can gain
after clicking "OK.". Do you not understand that that window showing potential space gained DOES NOT APPEAR? As I have said repeatedly, after I start Disk Cleanup, the scan progress bar appears, reaches 100%, then Disk Cleanup closes with NO Results Window
showing the future disk space to be gained by clicking "OK." So I have no idea whether I have gained any space. There is NO OK button. The program crashes right after the scan completes!

I would hope someone can advise me how to get administrative permission to overwrite the existing windows\SYSTEM32\cleanmgr.exe with a good copy from another pc running Win10. I don't want to reset Windows, as there are too many customizations and apps that
disappear when these repair/restore processes are initiated. If I cannot repair Disk Cleanup by overwriting with a good copy from another Win10 pc, then I will install CCleaner.

 

How To Delete Temporary Internet Files And Temporary Files In Windows 10

Hi Ramesh,

Sorry for the delayed reply.

I get your point, and understood.

So, you mean to say that there is no way to delete the Microsoft Edge Temporary Internet Files?

I have installed CCleaner, but it does not delete/clean Microsoft Edge Temporary Internet Files either.

Any suggestions?

Regards.

 

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.....)




On the Application tab: I clean almost everything




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.

 

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, *Wink

 

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

 

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.

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

Good idea, I will check it out.

Thanks,
MM

 

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

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

Thanks!
MM

 

Windows disk cleanup tends to be very conservative in what temp files it will remove. Specifically it will only delete files beyond a certain age. The reason being that some applications have different ideas about what "temporary" means and may want to keep these files longer than you may think. Applications create temporary files and can use them for any purpose desired. Their removal could have unpredictable results.

Windows disk cleanup is used by novices who have no idea of the possible implications. They need an extra level of protection. If an individual installs a more aggressive cleaner they will be responsible for any problems it may cause.

 

Hi,

By default Ccleaner does not remove any temporary files younger than 24 hours.

Cheers, *Wink

 

Yep, I am used to seeing a discrepancy between Windows utility and CCleaner -- just not such a HUGE difference.
That was the impetus behind my inquiry.

I'll create a restore point and make sure everything is backed up (yes, a system image, too!) and then will take the plunge with CCleaner.*Wink
Over many years on many platforms, I only recall one bad incident after cleaning temp files with it.
Once burned, twice shy, I suppose.

I just don't want to brick my brand new, spanking Win10 box that I've just spent 10 days getting all buffed and tuned.

Cheers,
MM