Windows 10: Windows Defender flags CCleaner as Potentially Unwanted App

CCleaner, one of the enormously popular free PC optimization suites for Windows, is now being detected as Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) on Windows 10 after a recent update to Windows Defender platform.

CCleaner basically allows you to optimize your system using its scan checks for cookies, cached files, downloaded files in all the major browsers, and it also includes a comprehensive registry cleaner.

In a surprising move, Windows Defender Antivirus has started flagging CCleaner utility as Potentially Unwanted App.

Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) protection is a feature that allows Windows Defender Antivirus to detect and block unwanted apps.



According to user reports, Windows Defender flags CCleaner as a Potentially Unwanted Program with alert level low, but the CCleaner is not detected as a threat to the system and users can still manually allow the app to run on their systems.

In support documentation, Microsoft noted that PUAs are not categorized as viruses, malware or other types of threats, but such as apps could “adversely affect endpoint performance or use” and offer to install other apps that qualify as PUA.

Windows Defender also flags apps with ‘poor reputation’ as potentially unwanted program due to “certain kinds of undesirable behaviour”.

At the moment, it is not clear exactly why Microsoft has chosen to flag CCleaner and Windows Defender page also does not provide any information.

CCleaner is in touch with Microsoft


CCleaner has confirmed on Twitter that it’s working with Microsoft and the problem will be resolved soon.

“We’re in touch with Microsoft to resolve this as soon as possible,” a representative from CCleaner noted on Twitter.

If Windows Defender has blocked CCleaner on your system and you know that it can be trusted, you can allow the app under Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Threat history.

The post Windows Defender flags CCleaner as Potentially Unwanted App appeared first on Windows Latest

Weiterlesen...

 

CCleaner Identified as PUA

Nothing shows up here:

VirusTotal

Windows Defender reports CCleaner as "Potentially unwanted app" - CCleaner Bug Reporting - CCleaner Community Forums

Maybe uninstall it if using the free version and get the slim build.

https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/builds

Disable auto updates. Save settings to .ini file.

Latest CCleaner Version Released

https://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/147056-finally-dumping-ccleaner-looking-alternatives-post1801584.html#post1801584

 

CCleaner

Hi ITypeFast

If you wish to continue using CCleaner, then that is most likely being blocked by Controlled Folder Access and you need to add CCleaner to the list of allowed Apps

Open Windows Defender Security Center

Go to Virus & threat protection - Virus & threat protection settings

Scroll down to Controlled folder access

From there, you can add CCleaner to the list of safe or allowed apps to prevent it from being blocked

 

Windows Defender Scans

Check again in tab Applications. Then scroll down to category Utilities. There you should see Windows Defender listed.