Is PrivaZER software safe to use as an alternative to CCleaner? Any advice welcome.

[Space Lynx]

So all the security issues with CCleaner over the years, I have been looking for an alternative to keep my computer nice and optimized.

I saw TechSpot advertise PrivaZER or maybe it was just a post there I don't remember, but is that software safe? I have never heard of it, any thoughts welcome.

 

[Regeneration]

Don't know about PrivAzer but I heard good things about Glary Utilities and Wise Disk Cleaner.

Or you can just use interactive firewall that blocks all apps from accessing the internet unless you give permission.

 

[Space Lynx]

Don't know about PrivAzer but I heard good things about Glary Utilities and Wise Disk Cleaner.

thanks I will look into those two. I am not sure its even worth it using a utility anymore is there? like if i clean the registry, I just assumed it made my PC faster cause it got rid of old bloat/pathways? or should I just not bother

 

[Deleted member 24505]

CCleaner is safe to use and will not infect your machine, most people who still spout this don't know what they are on about.
Back in 2017, hackers successfully completely compromised the free CCleaner for Windows and Cloud apps. But the affected versions were just 5.33.6162 and 1.07.3191, respectively. Also, these incidents impacted 32-bit Windows-powered machines only.

 

[Regeneration]

Yes. CCleaner is still very useful and not just for cleaning junk files, cookies, cache, logs, and registry cleaner.

You can use it to remove unnecessary junk from running at Windows' startup from all startup locations such as the registry, startup folder, and scheduled tasks.

CCleaner can also disable context menu extensions, browsers' plugins.

If you prefer the classic CCleaner look, go to settings, set custom clean as home screen. You can turn off the nags, from "smart cleaning" and "updates".

 

[W1zzard]

advertise PrivaZER

Was that a paid advertisement? Never heard of that software before

 

[Deleted member 24505]

Just had a quick google and PrivaZER is mentioned in a few best cleaners etc, but quite far down. I have never heard of it, and if i needed one would still use CC. just don't clean the registry, it doesn't need it and can be harmful

 

[Space Lynx]

Was that a paid advertisement? Never heard of that software before

PrivaZer

Privacy cleaner that scans your computer and provides a complete report of all computer and Internet traces that can be found on your PC.

www.techspot.com

they host it as a download

The Best Portable Apps for Your Software Toolbox

Portable apps usually offer the same functionality as the regular versions of your favorite software, but without any installers involved. That means you can run them directly...

www.techspot.com

and here it is listed as well, but there was also an article on it a few months ago on there but I can't find it now so I don't know

 

[95Viper]

I have used PrivaZer for a few years now. It has been fine for me, when used.
Cleans nicely; however, just like any of this type of software... you have to back up (make a system restore point, at least) and watch what it (and you) are doing.

 

[Space Lynx]

I have used PrivaZer for a few years now. It has been fine for me, when used.
Cleans nicely; however, just like any of this type of software... you have to back up (make a system restore point, at least) and watch what it (and you) are doing.

that's all I needed to know, just confirmation it was safe to use. feel free to close thread, thanks

i still might use ccleaner, I don't know yet.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

that's all I needed to know, just confirmation it was safe to use. feel free to close thread, thanks

i still might use ccleaner, I don't know yet.

I used to use CC all the time, don't use anything now, not sure it is needed.

 

[Bill_Bright]

So all the security issues with CCleaner over the years

CCleaner is safe to use and will not infect your machine, most people who still spout this don't know what they are on about.

^^^THIS^^^

First and foremost, the few issues were minor, actually affected only a tiny number of the 10s of millions of users. And the problems were quickly addressed long ago. And it should be pointed out the issue that caused the most attention wasn't even caused by the developers of CCleaner (Piriform). Rather, it was caused by the new owners of Piriform (Avast) sticking their noses in the mix without doing their homework first.

If you believe CCleaner is unsafe, then you should use no 3rd party cleaning tool and just stick with Windows own Disk Cleanup.

Me? I'll stick with CCleaner. Having the ability to keep specific cookies during cleanup is invaluable to me.

And for the record, the claim that CCleaner's Registry cleaner can be harmful is misleading and totally exaggerated too. CCleaner has been around for close to 20 years. It is unreasonable to assume such a popular and useful tool that's been around that long would still be on the market (or, as an included feature) if that harmful as some suggest.

Yes, decades ago, some registry cleaner were reckless and way too aggressive. CCleaner's never was. In fact, if anything, some would suggest it is not aggressive enough. I contend that is what makes it safe. But still, many simply lump all Registry cleaners in one evil heap and that does CCleaners an injustice.

While anecdotal, I personally have used CCleaner's Registry cleaner on 100s of different computers, likely more than a 1000s times. And I never, not once had it brick a computer. Worst case required a simple reboot.

One caveat/qualification - I never use the registry cleaner to "fix" a broken computer - only to maintain it. So, for example, if I replace a NVIDIA graphics card with an AMD (or the other way around), I will run the cleaner after the installation to clean out all the crud left behind by the removed card. After upgrading from W7 to W10, or W10 to W11, once sure everything works, I will run the cleaner.

And for the record, Piriform also has a history of removing features that don't work correctly. For example, Speccy, their HW information applet, used to report PSU voltages as found on the motherboard. But with many motherboards, the reported values were way off, reporting 6.2V for the 12V value as an illustrating example. So Speccy removed that function and no longer reports that. There is no reason to believe they wouldn't remove the Registry cleaner too if it caused problems.

Regardless, whenever messing with the Registry, either by a 3rd party utility, or via Registry Editor, one should always run a backup first.

Oh, and for sure, considering the fact Windows own Registry Editor (regedit) makes changes in real-time, and doesn't even have a backup feature, or offer to backup (or export) BEFORE making changes, I would much rather users use CCleaner, which does offer to backup the registry before making changes. And BTW, the restore feature works - I tested it.

 

[AusWolf]

I've had bad experiences with basically every "cleaner" software. They range from either doing nothing, through deleting files that I need, to straight away corrupting my OS (deleting necessary system files and registry keys). If you have your OS on an SSD, old and unused registry keys can't slow your PC down up to the point where you actually feel it. Cleaners were useful in the Windows XP + HDD age, but nowadays, they're nothing more than useless crapware. All of them.

 

[erpguy53]

I've had bad experiences with basically every "cleaner" software. They range from either doing nothing, through deleting files that I need, to straight away corrupting my OS (deleting necessary system files and registry keys). If you have your OS on an SSD, old and unused registry keys can't slow your PC down up to the point where you actually feel it. Cleaners were useful in the Windows XP + HDD age, but nowadays, they're nothing more than useless crapware. All of them.

Bill here might beg to differ on that

 

[bobbybluz]

I've been trying it out on two machines for about 6 months now. So far, so good. Far less bloat than CCleaner and no nagware. It also updates quite often (most recently today). It's a different type of program than CCleaner so it's difficult to compare the two. In advanced mode it's far more configurable than CCleaner. If you decide to try it out the free portable version is the one I recommend.

 

[Bill_Bright]

"Far less bloat"?

CCleaner takes up a whole 77.2MB on my disk. And according to task manager, PrivaZer uses a lot more RAM and CPU resources than CC.

THAT SAID, both are thrifty when it comes to resource utilization, therefore neither are resource hogs (or bloated). And frankly, so what if they are resource hogs? These are not programs you typically run while performing other tasks. In fact, both are much more efficient at cleaning when all other programs are closed. In fact, they work best when the OS is run in Safe Mode.

It is not a different type of program than CC so not sure what you are talking about there.

CCleaner only nags once during initial installation. PrivaZer doesn't but sure wants us to upgrade to the "Donor" version when using and setting up the program. So 6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other.

If folks prefer PrivaZer, that's great. But let's not make up falsehoods about CCleaner in some twisted attempt to justify PrivaZer instead of CCleaner. That makes no sense. Let PrivaZer stand on its own merits. It is a decent program.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

There is 0 issues with CCleaner. I used it in 2017 when it was "compromised" and I still use it today. There is NOTHING wrong with it.

 

[bobbybluz]

I finally have somebody on ignore. Sad. Being a regular user of both products I have to say there are massive differences in their GUI's and they way they perform. I don't come here to argue or start fights. I stated my experiences with a program and stand by what I said. Try them and make your own decisions based upon your own preferences.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Debating facts does not suggest a "fight", nor should it elicit feelings of a personal affront and insults. Sorry you seem to feel otherwise.

Ignoring others and sticking ones head in the sand does not make the issues go away.

Massive differences in a user interface does not, in any way, mean one program is a "different type of program" from the other. That would be like saying an iPhone is a different type of electronic device than an android phone. Or a Camry is different type of car than an Accord, Firefox is a different type program than Chrome, or Avast vs BitDefender.

And sorry, @bobbybluz but deleting a temporary file or cookie from a hard drive, or editing an orphaned entry in the Registry is done the same way, with the same result. How the process is initiated through the GUI and program does not suggest the process is performed differently.

You certainly have the right to express your own opinions based on your own preferences - and I will defend with vigor, your right to express them. But those opinions still need to be based on true facts. We don't get to have our own set of facts. These two programs, (along with Windows own Disk Cleanup, BleachBit and other similar programs) are both crud cleaners. They may look and feel differently, but they work the same way. One may even be more aggressive than another, or have different options, or even different integrated "extra" features. But at their basic core levels, they are still the same type program.