How To Use CCleaner to Delete Startup Programs on a PC

The former Crap Cleaner is now resurrected into a new name—the CCleaner. This has the same function as its predecessor—cleaning craps. “Craps” here are unwanted files that are either space-consumers or are potentially dangerous to the computer. CCleaner is not the same as an anti-virus application because it does not look for malwares. Instead, it is a “cleaner” of files from the computer. Using this is easy even it’s a donationware made by Piriform. It has many uses and one of these is to delete startup programs on a PC. Here’s how to use CCleaner for that:

* Download and install CCleaner. Get a free copy of the file cleaner from the creator’s website. Downloading the file will only take some minutes. You may also get a copy from third-party sources but you can’t be sure if what you’ll get is virus-free. You’ll most probably download a compressed file. Extract it and then look for the setup application. Double click that so you can install the application by following on-screen instructions. Restart the computer after the installation process. Wait until the computer is ready to run programs again.
* Open the CCleaner. You’ll have four main options at the sidebar—Cleaner, Registry, Tools, and Options. Cleaner is the default option, so you have to click on the “Tools.” This is where the option for deleting startup programs can be found.
* Choose the “Startup.” Opening the “Tools” pane will leave you with three options—Uninstall, Startup, or System Restore. Choose the “Startup.” Doing that will reveal the list of programs that are set to run at startup of the computer. Most of these programs are necessary but many are not really needed to start-up along with the computer.
* Select programs that should be cleaned up. Check the names of the applications on the list. Those will give you clues on their function. If you are not sure, you can do your own research. You don’t want to delete one application just because it seems like a dangerous file. Many files at startup are critical to the normal function of the computer. Deleting one of them can already sabotage your computer’s smooth and normal function. Make sure that you will check only the applications that you want to be removed.
* Scan for Issues. As an alternative to manual selection of files, you can hit the button “Scan for Issues” and let CCleaner do the job for you. The CCleaner will show you the list of potentially dangerous files. You may select based on the program’s suggestions. But it is still safer if you know the programs that you will delete.
* Delete the selected startup programs. There is the “Delete Entry” button at the bottom of the window. Check the selected programs first before you click on that button. There will be a verification prompt after clicking the button. Click “OK” and the deletion process will start.


Besides deleting startup programs, you can also use CCleaner to help clean the PC of temporary Internet files, history, cookies, recycle bin, temporary files, log files, recent documents, and many other unnecessary files. Explore what this application can do for you and use it more than just a cleaner of startup programs. It can do more than just that, anyway.