How to use ccleaner like a pro 9 tips & tricks
Think about it — all of us spend hours on our Macs every day for years. And it’s likely that we don’t always use all the apps properly, store away files in an organized manner, and timely delete everything we don’t need.
Just like any machine, your Mac needs regular maintenance, even if it’s not as regular as one for a PC. The more you use your computer the more errors start to build up, overloaded drive slows down the processor, and resources get stretched too thin. So when you finally can’t stand how slow your Mac has become, you turn to Google for answers, and it might tell you that CCleaner for Mac is the way to go. But is it?
What Is CCleaner And Is CCleaner Good For Macs?
You might initially ask, “What does CCleaner do?” CCleaner is an app originally developed by the British company Piriform and later sold to another Czech company Avast that claims to clean up and optimize your slow computer. The initial version was developed for PCs in 2004, with CCleaner Mac to follow in 2012.
So far so good. Moreover, the CCleaner app has become very popular, supporting millions of accounts and has a limited free version that could be downloaded from its website. The CCleaner professional version is available on an annual subscription basis. Let’s see how exactly CCleaner for Mac can help you bring your machine back to life.
How to use the CCleaner app for Mac
CCleaner works by scanning your Mac for cache files, browsing history logs, cookies, and more, and then running a cleanup tool to remove them all. The software generally doesn’t touch any essential parts of your macOS or any files that are integral to the apps you currently have installed. The whole idea here is to try to clean up unneeded files to help your Mac run better.
Technically, you could even do exactly the same work as the CCleaner Mac app yourself, but it would take you a lot of time to find all those files manually and, unlike CCleaner, you could potentially delete something that should’ve stayed.
Here’s how you’d use the CCleaner app:
- Get a CCleaner download from its official website (either the free version or the professional one)
- Install and launch the app
- In the Cleaner tab, check every option you’d like CCleaner to scan
- Click Analyze
- If you’re satisfied with results ➙ Run Cleaner
If you get the CCleaner professional version, you can enjoy some additional features, such as automatically cleaning your browser history every time you quit it and monitoring low-quality, suspicious files from getting into your system.
Note: Review all files to be deleted carefully, since most of the time CCleaner will also empty Trash and it wouldn’t be possible to retrieve lost files later on.
Is CCleaner safe and other CCleaner reviews
If you’ve just tried the process above — CCleaner for Mac would sound like a great and easy way to keep your Mac optimized. That’s why millions of people have flocked to it over the years.
However, in 2017, the CCleaner app suffered a malicious hacker attack on its 5.33 version for Windows. The hackers were able to create a backdoor and install trojan software that infected around two million users, among which were such prominent companies as Samsung and Intel. The security breach was patched in the next update, but sadly the incident has damaged CCleaner’s reputation forever. After all, it’s difficult to give a company complete access to all your personal files if it has been hacked before.
It should be said that the breach has only affected the Windows version of CCleaner and not the CCleaner Mac app. But again the question comes down to trust.
Overall, CCleaner reviews have generally been positive throughout its existence, averaging at about 4.5/5 star rating. And it would seem well deserved if not for that one misstep mentioned above.
A good question now is, “What about CCleaner alternatives?”
The best CCleaner alternative today
Naturally, the CCleaner app is not the only Mac optimization utility on the market, and there are other options for everyone second-guessing, “Is CCleaner safe?” One of the most popular ones is CleanMyMac X.
CleanMyMac X is a powerful Mac optimizer used by millions of people every day that has accumulated outstanding reviews, industry recognition, and, most importantly, has never suffered a single breach.
Generally, CleanMyMac X goes much deeper in its scanning of system junk, especially when it comes to locating unnecessary app cache files. Besides, it features a separate anti-malware scan, privacy controls, file shredder, app updater, and much more.
Interface-wise, CleanMyMac X is extremely friendly and intuitive. Here’s how to use it:
- Launch the app and navigate to System Junk in the sidebar
- Click Scan ➙ Review Details
- Uncheck anything you’re not sure about and hit Clean
The difference between the CCleaner Mac app and CleanMyMac X is astounding. The same Mac tested in the screenshots above got around 500 MB of junk files in CCleaner against 13.4 GB in CleanMyMax X.
Dive deeper into cleaning
Some things put exceptionally high pressure on your Mac, such as apps working in the background and tons of similar photos you keep on your disk. Both problems can be dealt with.
App Tamer helps you tame the apps that hog your CPU. It’s a lightweight menu bar utility with the ability to detect high CPU processes, based on which you can optimize your Mac’s performance and eliminate common problems like loud fan noise or Mac freezing.
Gemini will help get rid of duplicates and similar files (if you haven’t downloaded the same document twice, you’re a superhero!) It runs a scan on your disk and identifies files that can be deleted lightning-fast. Even more, with Gemini’s Duplicates Monitor, you’ll be notified when a new duplicate pops up.
In the end, now you know what is CCleaner and all the basics about it. If you still trust the company and want to use CCleaner for Mac — that might be a good choice. However, the combination of three CCleaner alternatives, CleanMyMac X, Gemini, and App Tamer provides true unparalleled security and the most comprehensive optimization in the industry at the same time.
Best of all, CleanMyMac X, Gemini, and App Tamer are available to you for free for seven days through the trial of Setapp, a platform with over 200 Mac and iOS apps that could help you with any aspect of your digital life, from a speedier Mac to finance management to photo retouching. Sign up for Setapp today, see how much faster and cleaner your Mac can become in no time.
When I installed Windows 10, I was advised to uninstall C Cleaner, this I did.
I’m now using Win. 10 version 1607.
Would there be any advantages/disadvantages to reinstall C Cleaner?
Report abuse
Who advised you to uninstall it? Why?
CCleaner runs fine under Windows 10 and there are no conflicts. It’s a decent utility and it can be helpful to run it as long as you do *not* use it to clean the registry.
Registry cleaning programs are *all* snake oil. Cleaning of the registry isn’t needed and is dangerous. Leave the registry alone and don’t use any registry cleaner. Despite what many people think, and what vendors of registry cleaning software try to convince you of, having unused registry entries doesn’t really hurt you.
The risk of a serious problem caused by a registry cleaner erroneously removing an entry you need is far greater than any potential benefit it may have.
Let me point out that neither I nor anyone else who warns against the use of registry cleaners has ever said that they always cause problems. If they always caused problems, they would disappear from the market almost immediately. Many people have used a registry cleaner and never had a problem with it.
Rather, the problem with a registry cleaner is that it carries with it the substantial *risk* of having a problem. And since there is no benefit to using a registry cleaner, running that risk is a very bad bargain.
CCleaner’s registry cleaning is probably safer than almost all the others, but that doesn’t mean it is risk free. I still advise against using that feature.
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I use Canva a lot. It’s one of my all-time favorite content creation tools because it’s versatile, affordable, and easy to use.
While Canva is easy to use, there is a learning curve – of course. It has taken me some time and a lot of trial and error for me to figure out the best ways to use it. In this post, I’m going to share 9 of my favorite tips and tricks to help you use Canva like a pro.
#1: Invest in the Pro Plan
Canva has a free plan, but if you want to create income streams by selling digital or printable designs, I think the $9.95 a month for the Canva pro plan is a worthwhile investment. You’ll get access everything you get with the free plan plus access to 60,000 templates and 60 million stock images, photos, and videos.
You’ll also get Canva’s 1 Brand kit and the ability to upload your own fonts and designs, as well as the ability to create custom templates. Considering its affordability, this plan can be used instead of more expensive design software to create professional-looking designs and products.
#2: Use Canva Mood Boards for Inspiration
One type of template on Canva that I think people don’t use enough is the mood board. Mood boards can serve as design inspiration by helping you visualize color combinations and other design elements. If you search “mood board template” on Canva – in either the free or Pro plan – you’ll get a selection of mood boards. They can serve as inspiration as they are because some of them are quite lovely.
Even better, you can create a new mood board using photos and images that inspire you. It’s a great way to play around with different design elements, including colors, fonts, graphics, photographs, and more. If you’re looking for a way to kick your designs up a notch, using a mood board is a great way to start.
#3: Try Letter Frames to Add a Unique Element to Your Designs
The fonts on Canva tend to get a lot of attention, but a lot of people don’t know about letter frames. Letter frames are exactly what they sound like: letter-shaped frames that you can use just like a picture frame.
To find letter frames, choose “Elements” from the design bar and scroll through the frames. Drop the letter frame you want into your design. Then, choose a photo from Canva’s library or upload one of your own, and drag it to drop it into the frame.
#4: Use Canva to Add Design Elements to Your Videos
I think video design is one of the most under-utilized functions that Canva offers. You can upload a video of your own and add the same design elements to it you would add to any template, including fonts, lines, frames, charts, stickers, and animations.
Best of all, this functionality is available even with the free version of Canva. Simply choose Elements from the design menu and search for what you want. Then, drop it into the frame and relocate and resize it as needed.
#5: Add Royalty-Free Music to Your Videos
Speaking of videos, did you know that in addition to its huge library of photos, images, and other design elements, Canva also has a library of royalty-free music to choose from?
There’s no need to pay extra money to a music service or library if you want to add music to your videos. With Canva, you can choose from thousands of clips in dozens of different styles, including piano, vocal, pop, cinematic, and more.
#6: Limit Your Palette
A common mistake that beginning designers make is making their designs too busy. If people see your design and aren’t sure where to look – or what’s important – they’re going to move on to the next design. Or, worse, the next Etsy shop or website.
Professional designers use a limited palette to ensure that their designs are beautiful and easy on the eyes. It’s a good rule of thumb to limit yourself to four colors. Just as important is choosing colors that work well together. If you create a design with clashing colors, it’s not going to be appealing.
#7: Separate the Background from the Image
What if you have an image you like but you’re not crazy about the background? With Canva Pro, it’s easy to separate them. That way, you can use the part you like and discard the rest – and without paying a premium for Photoshop.
To accomplish the task, upload an image (or choose one from Canva’s library) and add it to a template. Then, click the image and choose “Effects” at the top. Click “Background Remover” and you’ll have just the image. You can add a new background that suits your needs.
#8: Copy One Design to Make New Designs
When you spend your valuable time perfecting a design in Canva, you may want to use the basic design again without having to dedicate time to replicating it. Fortunately, that’s easy to do.
You can simply click the “Copy” icon – it’s the thing that looks like two overlapping rectangles – at the top of the screen. If you prefer a keyboard shortcut, you can use Control + C to copy and Control + V to paste design where you want it.
#9: Use Contrasting Fonts
Just as it’s not a good idea to use too many colors in a design, the same applies to fonts. Professional designers limit themselves to two fonts in contrasting designs. Using more than that is confusing to the eye and may make your design look like a ransom note instead of a professional product.
For example, if you use a clean Sans Serif design for your heading in an image, consider using a handwriting or script font for the subheading – or vice versa.
Conclusion
Canva is my favorite design tool for a reason. You can do a lot with it – and using the 9 design tips I’ve included here will help you create professional-looking graphics and products that people will love.
Think about it — all of us spend hours on our Macs every day for years. And it’s likely that we don’t always use all the apps properly, store away files in an organized manner, and timely delete everything we don’t need.
Just like any machine, your Mac needs regular maintenance, even if it’s not as regular as one for a PC. The more you use your computer the more errors start to build up, overloaded drive slows down the processor, and resources get stretched too thin. So when you finally can’t stand how slow your Mac has become, you turn to Google for answers, and it might tell you that CCleaner for Mac is the way to go. But is it?
What Is CCleaner And Is CCleaner Good For Macs?
You might initially ask, “What does CCleaner do?” CCleaner is an app originally developed by the British company Piriform and later sold to another Czech company Avast that claims to clean up and optimize your slow computer. The initial version was developed for PCs in 2004, with CCleaner Mac to follow in 2012.
So far so good. Moreover, the CCleaner app has become very popular, supporting millions of accounts and has a limited free version that could be downloaded from its website. The CCleaner professional version is available on an annual subscription basis. Let’s see how exactly CCleaner for Mac can help you bring your machine back to life.
How to use the CCleaner app for Mac
CCleaner works by scanning your Mac for cache files, browsing history logs, cookies, and more, and then running a cleanup tool to remove them all. The software generally doesn’t touch any essential parts of your macOS or any files that are integral to the apps you currently have installed. The whole idea here is to try to clean up unneeded files to help your Mac run better.
Technically, you could even do exactly the same work as the CCleaner Mac app yourself, but it would take you a lot of time to find all those files manually and, unlike CCleaner, you could potentially delete something that should’ve stayed.
Here’s how you’d use the CCleaner app:
- Get a CCleaner download from its official website (either the free version or the professional one)
- Install and launch the app
- In the Cleaner tab, check every option you’d like CCleaner to scan
- Click Analyze
- If you’re satisfied with results ➙ Run Cleaner
If you get the CCleaner professional version, you can enjoy some additional features, such as automatically cleaning your browser history every time you quit it and monitoring low-quality, suspicious files from getting into your system.
Note: Review all files to be deleted carefully, since most of the time CCleaner will also empty Trash and it wouldn’t be possible to retrieve lost files later on.
Is CCleaner safe and other CCleaner reviews
If you’ve just tried the process above — CCleaner for Mac would sound like a great and easy way to keep your Mac optimized. That’s why millions of people have flocked to it over the years.
However, in 2017, the CCleaner app suffered a malicious hacker attack on its 5.33 version for Windows. The hackers were able to create a backdoor and install trojan software that infected around two million users, among which were such prominent companies as Samsung and Intel. The security breach was patched in the next update, but sadly the incident has damaged CCleaner’s reputation forever. After all, it’s difficult to give a company complete access to all your personal files if it has been hacked before.
It should be said that the breach has only affected the Windows version of CCleaner and not the CCleaner Mac app. But again the question comes down to trust.
Overall, CCleaner reviews have generally been positive throughout its existence, averaging at about 4.5/5 star rating. And it would seem well deserved if not for that one misstep mentioned above.
A good question now is, “What about CCleaner alternatives?”
The best CCleaner alternative today
Naturally, the CCleaner app is not the only Mac optimization utility on the market, and there are other options for everyone second-guessing, “Is CCleaner safe?” One of the most popular ones is CleanMyMac X.
CleanMyMac X is a powerful Mac optimizer used by millions of people every day that has accumulated outstanding reviews, industry recognition, and, most importantly, has never suffered a single breach.
Generally, CleanMyMac X goes much deeper in its scanning of system junk, especially when it comes to locating unnecessary app cache files. Besides, it features a separate anti-malware scan, privacy controls, file shredder, app updater, and much more.
Interface-wise, CleanMyMac X is extremely friendly and intuitive. Here’s how to use it:
- Launch the app and navigate to System Junk in the sidebar
- Click Scan ➙ Review Details
- Uncheck anything you’re not sure about and hit Clean
The difference between the CCleaner Mac app and CleanMyMac X is astounding. The same Mac tested in the screenshots above got around 500 MB of junk files in CCleaner against 13.4 GB in CleanMyMax X.
Dive deeper into cleaning
Some things put exceptionally high pressure on your Mac, such as apps working in the background and tons of similar photos you keep on your disk. Both problems can be dealt with.
App Tamer helps you tame the apps that hog your CPU. It’s a lightweight menu bar utility with the ability to detect high CPU processes, based on which you can optimize your Mac’s performance and eliminate common problems like loud fan noise or Mac freezing.
Gemini will help get rid of duplicates and similar files (if you haven’t downloaded the same document twice, you’re a superhero!) It runs a scan on your disk and identifies files that can be deleted lightning-fast. Even more, with Gemini’s Duplicates Monitor, you’ll be notified when a new duplicate pops up.
In the end, now you know what is CCleaner and all the basics about it. If you still trust the company and want to use CCleaner for Mac — that might be a good choice. However, the combination of three CCleaner alternatives, CleanMyMac X, Gemini, and App Tamer provides true unparalleled security and the most comprehensive optimization in the industry at the same time.
Best of all, CleanMyMac X, Gemini, and App Tamer are available to you for free for seven days through the trial of Setapp, a platform with over 200 Mac and iOS apps that could help you with any aspect of your digital life, from a speedier Mac to finance management to photo retouching. Sign up for Setapp today, see how much faster and cleaner your Mac can become in no time.
I use Canva a lot. It’s one of my all-time favorite content creation tools because it’s versatile, affordable, and easy to use.
While Canva is easy to use, there is a learning curve – of course. It has taken me some time and a lot of trial and error for me to figure out the best ways to use it. In this post, I’m going to share 9 of my favorite tips and tricks to help you use Canva like a pro.
#1: Invest in the Pro Plan
Canva has a free plan, but if you want to create income streams by selling digital or printable designs, I think the $9.95 a month for the Canva pro plan is a worthwhile investment. You’ll get access everything you get with the free plan plus access to 60,000 templates and 60 million stock images, photos, and videos.
You’ll also get Canva’s 1 Brand kit and the ability to upload your own fonts and designs, as well as the ability to create custom templates. Considering its affordability, this plan can be used instead of more expensive design software to create professional-looking designs and products.
#2: Use Canva Mood Boards for Inspiration
One type of template on Canva that I think people don’t use enough is the mood board. Mood boards can serve as design inspiration by helping you visualize color combinations and other design elements. If you search “mood board template” on Canva – in either the free or Pro plan – you’ll get a selection of mood boards. They can serve as inspiration as they are because some of them are quite lovely.
Even better, you can create a new mood board using photos and images that inspire you. It’s a great way to play around with different design elements, including colors, fonts, graphics, photographs, and more. If you’re looking for a way to kick your designs up a notch, using a mood board is a great way to start.
#3: Try Letter Frames to Add a Unique Element to Your Designs
The fonts on Canva tend to get a lot of attention, but a lot of people don’t know about letter frames. Letter frames are exactly what they sound like: letter-shaped frames that you can use just like a picture frame.
To find letter frames, choose “Elements” from the design bar and scroll through the frames. Drop the letter frame you want into your design. Then, choose a photo from Canva’s library or upload one of your own, and drag it to drop it into the frame.
#4: Use Canva to Add Design Elements to Your Videos
I think video design is one of the most under-utilized functions that Canva offers. You can upload a video of your own and add the same design elements to it you would add to any template, including fonts, lines, frames, charts, stickers, and animations.
Best of all, this functionality is available even with the free version of Canva. Simply choose Elements from the design menu and search for what you want. Then, drop it into the frame and relocate and resize it as needed.
#5: Add Royalty-Free Music to Your Videos
Speaking of videos, did you know that in addition to its huge library of photos, images, and other design elements, Canva also has a library of royalty-free music to choose from?
There’s no need to pay extra money to a music service or library if you want to add music to your videos. With Canva, you can choose from thousands of clips in dozens of different styles, including piano, vocal, pop, cinematic, and more.
#6: Limit Your Palette
A common mistake that beginning designers make is making their designs too busy. If people see your design and aren’t sure where to look – or what’s important – they’re going to move on to the next design. Or, worse, the next Etsy shop or website.
Professional designers use a limited palette to ensure that their designs are beautiful and easy on the eyes. It’s a good rule of thumb to limit yourself to four colors. Just as important is choosing colors that work well together. If you create a design with clashing colors, it’s not going to be appealing.
#7: Separate the Background from the Image
What if you have an image you like but you’re not crazy about the background? With Canva Pro, it’s easy to separate them. That way, you can use the part you like and discard the rest – and without paying a premium for Photoshop.
To accomplish the task, upload an image (or choose one from Canva’s library) and add it to a template. Then, click the image and choose “Effects” at the top. Click “Background Remover” and you’ll have just the image. You can add a new background that suits your needs.
#8: Copy One Design to Make New Designs
When you spend your valuable time perfecting a design in Canva, you may want to use the basic design again without having to dedicate time to replicating it. Fortunately, that’s easy to do.
You can simply click the “Copy” icon – it’s the thing that looks like two overlapping rectangles – at the top of the screen. If you prefer a keyboard shortcut, you can use Control + C to copy and Control + V to paste design where you want it.
#9: Use Contrasting Fonts
Just as it’s not a good idea to use too many colors in a design, the same applies to fonts. Professional designers limit themselves to two fonts in contrasting designs. Using more than that is confusing to the eye and may make your design look like a ransom note instead of a professional product.
For example, if you use a clean Sans Serif design for your heading in an image, consider using a handwriting or script font for the subheading – or vice versa.
Conclusion
Canva is my favorite design tool for a reason. You can do a lot with it – and using the 9 design tips I’ve included here will help you create professional-looking graphics and products that people will love.
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There’s nothing better than getting more for your money — especially when it comes to tech. And with the rapid evolution of technology and marketing practices, it’s easy to believe newer is always better.
While many fall for this notion and shell out cash for the newest devices, some remain steadfast and invest a bit of time and effort, along with a few bucks (if needed), into their existing equipment. Got some antiquated gadgets? Tap or click to see what old tech in your house right now is worth big bucks.
If you have an older desktop, save a few hundred dollars and just fix it up like new. Here are seven tips to maintain your computer, starting with cleaning it up.
1. Pay attention
Just as your appearance is a reflection of your health, the same is true of your computer. If your screen, keyboard and ports are dusty and coated with fingerprints or debris, chances are your system isn’t in great shape.
When tidying up hardware, it is essential to use proper computer cleaning products to protect your equipment from damage.
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For the cleanup of your screen or camera lens, turn to Windex Electronics Wipes. The anti-static cloths safely remove dust, smudges and fingerprints from a host of electronics — including computer screens, TVs and mobile devices.
The quickest and safest way to remove dust and other debris is a can of pressurized spray, such as Dust Off. A few quick blasts of air and your keyboard is clean and ready to use. Follow can instructions for maximum safety and never shake it before use.
A pressurized can of air is also a useful tool to help clean out dirt and debris from the ports on your desktop. It is important to note that when you use a can of pressurized air, use the straw attachment as directed and always follow the instructions.
2. Clear the clutter
The first thing you notice about a computer after its hardware is the desktop. Is yours filled with a countless number of thumbnails? While this makes it convenient to locate files, it can result in a mountain of clutter if you don’t practice some organization skills.
If you have several files and programs you rarely or never use on your desktop, delete them. Simply right-click on the application or file and select Delete. This will not delete the program from your computer, but it will remove the shortcut from your desktop.
Now it’s time to organize the icons. Don’t waste time dragging icons around your screen. Right-click the screen (not an icon) and select Name, Size, File or Date modified under the Sort by option. For Mac users, check out Apple’s how-to guide. Now you can arrange your icons into neat rows.
3. Leave no crumbs behind
Cache and cookies, which track your internet activity, are temporary files your system creates every time you visit a website, regardless of which browser you use. Routinely cleaning up these files will help ensure your system runs efficiently and is protected.
Here’s a quick tutorial on how to clear these bits of information:
4. Out with the old
It’s easy to clog up your computer with files. Old downloads, numerous documents and thousands of photos can significantly slow down your system. Keeping your files tidy is the key. Go through those documents and photos, and delete everything you don’t need.
If you have a bunch of unused files to delete from your Windows PC, CCleaner is an award-winning tool that can quickly clean up those extras. CCleaner is available in two versions: Free and Professional ($19.95), which has a free trial.
If your system is a Mac, the easy drag and drop program Files Shredder ($19.99) will not only delete files from your system, but it will remove them permanently to make them unrecoverable.
5. Check all the nooks and crannies
In addition to maintaining your files and folders, it is crucial you perform a yearly cleanup. For Windows users, Microsoft’s Total PC Cleaner (free) can clear up disk space, plus clean and optimize the system and memory. This tool will delete junk files, speed up your PC and boost its performance.
A CleanMyMac X subscription ($34.95/yr.) is a deep-cleaning tool that scrubs your Mac system squeaky clean. The software can uninstall unwanted apps, free up gigabytes of space and speed up your Apple desktop.
6. Keep it healthy
To maintain your computer’s health, you need to ensure it is free of viruses and malware by performing routine scans. That’s why it’s critical to have an antivirus program on your device that you can trust.
7. Stay up with the times
Last, but certainly not least, you must update both software and firmware regularly. If you neglect to keep your PC up to date with security patches, you run the risk of cyberattacks, which could prove fatal to your computer.
Don’t leave your system vulnerable. When you receive a notification there is an update for your computer, click “Update.”
Want to check for updates? Here’s how:
For Windows 10, click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of your desktop and tap on the Settings gear. Select Update & Security, then choose the available patch or update.
But when it comes to browsers, those who use Chrome should be careful. Tap or click to learn how a new Google Chrome update could wipe out your data.
Mac users open the App Store app and tap Updates (left sidebar). Choose an update to download, and you’re done.
Avoid the need to rush out and buy a computer every time a new one hits the shelf. Extend the life of your current system with this collection of tricks and get more bang for your buck.
By clicking our links, you’re supporting our research, as we may earn a very small commission. Recommendations are not part of any business incentives.
#1 softeyes
Hello, I hunted for the correct forum to post..apologies if I’m in the wrong place!
Updated Ccleaner today and found in the Advanced options “Wipe MFT Free Space C drive.”
Of course I ticked it! Free space, needing a wipe means to me that cobwebs might have grown there?
Opinions or advice about this Ccleaner setting? Good/bad?
Mucho thanks!
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#2 Platypus
The MFT is the Master File Table which contains the identifying information used by the file system to manage file storage. When files are deleted, details like the location of the file’s prior contents (and sometimes a small component of the file’s actual contents) remain for an indeterminate period of time in the MFT.
Much like the file data locations themselves, the MFT entries are released and become available for re-use, but until they get used again for other files, the information they contain can be accessed to gain information about the deleted files. This is the first line of approach used by file recovery programs, so in some situations it could be viewed as a security risk, enabling private or sensitive information to possibly be recovered after file deletion.
So wiping the MFT free space will erase any remaining information in the previously used MFT records that are awaiting re-use. If you wish to be extra secure about deleted files being completely gone, then you can choose the MFT free space wipe. But keep in mind it will make recovery of an accidentally deleted file far more difficult after applying the action.
Edited by Platypus, 26 November 2014 – 03:04 AM.
#3 Beel
Wiping free space takes quite a while. I do it once every few months.
#4 Platypus
Yes, wiping free space is quite intensive, as it overwrites the entire free space (unallocated data area) of the drive, e.g. on a half full 2TB drive, 1TB would be wiped. An MFT free space wipe is only concerned with the inactive record locations within the Master File Table.
#5 quietman7
- Gender: Male
- Location: Virginia, USA
- Local time: 03:44 PM
The Drive Wiper tool screen under Tools section was initially added in v3.00.1310 (03 Nov 2010) but they have made various improvements since then. v5.00.5050 includes many performance improvements and bug fixes.
BTW. CCleaner has their own section on FAQS and How to’s
.
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Windows Insider MVP 2017-2020
Microsoft MVP Reconnect 2016
Microsoft MVP Consumer Security 2007-2015
Member of UNITE , Unified Network of Instructors and Trusted Eliminators
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#6 softeyes
I sure appreciate all who replied and your in depth information! It’s 👍 for me!
QM7– BC is just so trusting with all of you experts, although reading the Ccleaner info. I so value the trusted response from you valued volunteers!
With appreciation. Miss Clean!
#7 quietman7
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You’re welcome on behalf of the Bleeping Computer community.
We appreciate your thoughtful comments and taking the time to express your sentiments.
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Windows Insider MVP 2017-2020
Microsoft MVP Reconnect 2016
Microsoft MVP Consumer Security 2007-2015
Member of UNITE , Unified Network of Instructors and Trusted Eliminators
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Article Updated: April 3rd, 2020
When it comes to detailing a car it’s all about the little things. That’s why today we’ll take you through the entire process of detailing the exterior of a car including 14 tips and tricks.
Pro Tip: Remember you should start with the interior first and wash the exterior secondly. We’ll cover interior detailing in another blog post soon.
1. What is the best place for auto detailing?
In the shade! A cool, dry place is ideal for car cleaning. You want the bodywork to be cool and out of direct sunlight because water evaporates faster on hot cars and that can leave watermarks.
2. What should you use to wash your car?
When most people think of washing a car they think of a traditional sponge. The problem is sponges capture and holds things like dirt and grit in their large pores. Despite your best efforts to wring it out some grit will stay embedded. It becomes like washing your car with sandpaper and can cause small scratches.
Pro detailers use a microfiber car wash mitt because that grit should fall out when you rinse. Plus personally, I’ve found it makes it easier to remove grime and more fun to wash the car. You can work more elbow grease into the needed areas and get into tougher spots (like wheels or wheel wells) more easily. That’s why we include a microfiber mitt with our Decon Soap.
3. Why should you use microfiber towels over other materials?
When it comes time for applying your wax or drying your car, you’ll want to use microfiber towels. Why? Similar to the sponge we talked about above other materials (like cloth rags, old t-shirts, standard towels) can have dust or dirt embedded in them. Rough materials can damage the finish.
They are also very helpful for properly buffing the car wax into the car and removing it. They are great for buffing vehicle surfaces, chrome wheels, metal trim, windows and more. Safe on interior surfaces such as leather, vinyl, plastic, metal, wood and more.
Our towels were made specifically for car detailing featuring an edgeless design with no rough edges to scratch your surface. They also have a 2 sided design with longer fibers for buffing and shorter fibers for removing the product.
Chamois towels lack knap and possibly scratch your paint with leftover particles when not cared for properly. We find microfiber towels to be more forgiving.
4. How should you wash and care for microfiber towels?
You’ll want to take special care when washing your towels. Don’t wash them with cloth towels or you run the risk of lint from the cloth towel becoming stuck to the microfiber towel. Wash with hot water, detergent and skip the fabric softener. Fabric softener will reduce the effectiveness of the microfiber towel. Dry them on low heat too. Once dry fold them and put in them a plastic container where they are safe from contaminants.
5. How many buckets should you use?
You want to use 2 buckets. One with the soapy water and the other with water. Soap up your mitt, clean a portion of the car, then dip the dirty mitt into the water bucket so you don’t put contaminants into the soapy bucket. Essentially you are ‘rinsing’ your mitt with the water bucket in between cleanings. The standard bucket size is 5 gallons.
A grit guard at the bottom of the bucket can help remove more dirt from your mitt or sponge. The dirt will then settle at the bottom keeping your wash water clean.
6. What are contaminants?
Contaminants are things like brake dust, bird droppings, dirt and more that pollute and destroy your paint. They sit on top of your clear coat.
Common contaminants include brake dust, industrial fall out, rail dust, iron deposits, bug guts, road salt, tree sap, and bird droppings.
7. What’s the best way to remove contaminants?
First, we recommend using a Decontaminate or “Decon” Soap . This is stronger than regular car soap, as it will help strip your car of waxes and surface contaminants. You can use 1 to 2 ounces per gallon of water. Typically we use 5 ounces for a 5 gallon bucket of water.
Next, you’ll want to remove bonded contaminants on the car with a liquid clay bar . You can use a traditional clay bar to remove things like sap, but a liquid clay bar is quicker and almost as effective.
8. Why can’t you use dishwashing soap instead of car soap?
Dishwashing detergents are made to be very strong because they have to break up grease and food materials. They can strip the polymer off the paint surface and accelerate the oxidation process. You’ll want to use a car soap made specifically for cars.
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There’s nothing better than getting more for your money — especially when it comes to tech. And with the rapid evolution of technology and marketing practices, it’s easy to believe newer is always better.
While many fall for this notion and shell out cash for the newest devices, some remain steadfast and invest a bit of time and effort, along with a few bucks (if needed), into their existing equipment. Got some antiquated gadgets? Tap or click to see what old tech in your house right now is worth big bucks.
If you have an older desktop, save a few hundred dollars and just fix it up like new. Here are seven tips to maintain your computer, starting with cleaning it up.
1. Pay attention
Just as your appearance is a reflection of your health, the same is true of your computer. If your screen, keyboard and ports are dusty and coated with fingerprints or debris, chances are your system isn’t in great shape.
When tidying up hardware, it is essential to use proper computer cleaning products to protect your equipment from damage.
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For the cleanup of your screen or camera lens, turn to Windex Electronics Wipes. The anti-static cloths safely remove dust, smudges and fingerprints from a host of electronics — including computer screens, TVs and mobile devices.
The quickest and safest way to remove dust and other debris is a can of pressurized spray, such as Dust Off. A few quick blasts of air and your keyboard is clean and ready to use. Follow can instructions for maximum safety and never shake it before use.
A pressurized can of air is also a useful tool to help clean out dirt and debris from the ports on your desktop. It is important to note that when you use a can of pressurized air, use the straw attachment as directed and always follow the instructions.
2. Clear the clutter
The first thing you notice about a computer after its hardware is the desktop. Is yours filled with a countless number of thumbnails? While this makes it convenient to locate files, it can result in a mountain of clutter if you don’t practice some organization skills.
If you have several files and programs you rarely or never use on your desktop, delete them. Simply right-click on the application or file and select Delete. This will not delete the program from your computer, but it will remove the shortcut from your desktop.
Now it’s time to organize the icons. Don’t waste time dragging icons around your screen. Right-click the screen (not an icon) and select Name, Size, File or Date modified under the Sort by option. For Mac users, check out Apple’s how-to guide. Now you can arrange your icons into neat rows.
3. Leave no crumbs behind
Cache and cookies, which track your internet activity, are temporary files your system creates every time you visit a website, regardless of which browser you use. Routinely cleaning up these files will help ensure your system runs efficiently and is protected.
Here’s a quick tutorial on how to clear these bits of information:
4. Out with the old
It’s easy to clog up your computer with files. Old downloads, numerous documents and thousands of photos can significantly slow down your system. Keeping your files tidy is the key. Go through those documents and photos, and delete everything you don’t need.
If you have a bunch of unused files to delete from your Windows PC, CCleaner is an award-winning tool that can quickly clean up those extras. CCleaner is available in two versions: Free and Professional ($19.95), which has a free trial.
If your system is a Mac, the easy drag and drop program Files Shredder ($19.99) will not only delete files from your system, but it will remove them permanently to make them unrecoverable.
5. Check all the nooks and crannies
In addition to maintaining your files and folders, it is crucial you perform a yearly cleanup. For Windows users, Microsoft’s Total PC Cleaner (free) can clear up disk space, plus clean and optimize the system and memory. This tool will delete junk files, speed up your PC and boost its performance.
A CleanMyMac X subscription ($34.95/yr.) is a deep-cleaning tool that scrubs your Mac system squeaky clean. The software can uninstall unwanted apps, free up gigabytes of space and speed up your Apple desktop.
6. Keep it healthy
To maintain your computer’s health, you need to ensure it is free of viruses and malware by performing routine scans. That’s why it’s critical to have an antivirus program on your device that you can trust.
7. Stay up with the times
Last, but certainly not least, you must update both software and firmware regularly. If you neglect to keep your PC up to date with security patches, you run the risk of cyberattacks, which could prove fatal to your computer.
Don’t leave your system vulnerable. When you receive a notification there is an update for your computer, click “Update.”
Want to check for updates? Here’s how:
For Windows 10, click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of your desktop and tap on the Settings gear. Select Update & Security, then choose the available patch or update.
But when it comes to browsers, those who use Chrome should be careful. Tap or click to learn how a new Google Chrome update could wipe out your data.
Mac users open the App Store app and tap Updates (left sidebar). Choose an update to download, and you’re done.
Avoid the need to rush out and buy a computer every time a new one hits the shelf. Extend the life of your current system with this collection of tricks and get more bang for your buck.
By clicking our links, you’re supporting our research, as we may earn a very small commission. Recommendations are not part of any business incentives.
