10 Best PC Cleaners & Optimizers for Windows PC (2024)

You need to be careful when choosing a PC cleaner to declutter your system. Most PC cleaners on the market are outright incapable of getting the actual job done and could even infect your computer with malware. The best PC cleaners will keep your device working fast and ensure it runs smoothly, but finding the perfect tool for just that is tough.

I evaluated over 30 standalone and antivirus PC cleaning tools to identify the ones that are both secure and effective. Sorting through them was a challenge, but I’ve ultimately chosen the top 10 PC cleaners that you’ll find essential. These cleaners offer a range of features, including system cleaning, startup optimization, junk file removal, and various other tools to boost your PC’s performance.

After tests, TotalAV was my top choice on the list. It ensured that my PC ran smoothly, got rid of junk, and generally improved my PC performance while protecting against malware threats.

Quick Guide: 2024’s Best PC Cleaners & Optimizers

Optimize your PC with TotalAV

The Best PC Cleaner & Optimizer Software (Tested in 2024)

1. TotalAV — No. 1 Best PC Cleaner and Optimizer in 2024

Key Features:

TotalAV has the best PC cleaner and optimizers for your PC. It’s pretty easy to use these tools — you don’t need to be tech-savvy to take full advantage of them. There are multiple utilities to choose from, whether for clearing junk files, optimizing your boot time, or getting rid of browser cookies and trackers.

Once you’ve downloaded the TotalAV app, you’ll find all the tools you need to get your PC in top performance. Simply navigate to the “System Tune-Up” tab to find the TotalAV PC cleaning tools. These tools are:

• Junk Cleaner — removes junk files and frees up system space.
• Duplicate File Finder — detects duplicate files and media using up your disk space.
• Application Uninstaller — scans and displays all the applications on your PC so you can remove the ones you don’t need.
• Startup Manager — lets you shut down some autorun programs to speed up system boot time.
• Browser Cleanup — detects and removes browser cookies, trackers, and private data from your browsers.

In my tests, the Junk Cleaner feature performed flawlessly, effectively removing 347MB of unnecessary files. Additionally, the Duplicate File Finder successfully identified and eliminated around 200MB of duplicate files, resulting in increased space and improved PC speed. Plus, these tools are easy to use — with just a click of a button, you’re good to go.

TotalAV’s Browser Clean-Up feature effectively removes cookies and browsing history from your web browser. It prevents websites and advertisers from tracking your internet activity through cookies, ensuring your online privacy. A notable advantage I noticed is that TotalAV finds and deletes cookies across all major browsers, such as Firefox, Chrome, and Edge, eliminating the need to clear each browser individually.

In addition, TotalAV ensures that your PC is malware-free and running smoothly. During tests, TotalAV identified 100% of sample viruses, spyware, PUPs, adware, ransomware, rootkits, and other malware that slow down PCs. And thanks to the lightweight scanner TotalAV didn’t have any impact on my system performance.

All TotalAV’s plans, starting from $19.00 come with system tune-up tools that speed up your PC. But, I recommend going for the Total Internet Security plan. It provides coverage for 6 devices and offers additional features such as Unlimited VPN, ad blocker, and password vault. You can try it risk-free for 30 days to ensure it’s right for you.

2. Norton 360 — Shows You Which Apps and Processes Are Consuming the Most Resources

Key Features:

Norton 360 has some of the best PC cleanup tools on the market. It offers a range of tune-up tools, designed to give your device a performance boost. These tools are easy to use and work very well. Plus, Norton is one of the best when it comes to malware protection, so you can easily get rid of malware slowing down your system.

You can speed up your PC with Norton using the following tools:

• File Cleanup — removes temporary files from your Windows PC to free up space.
• Startup Manager — prevent specific autorun apps from running to speed up boot time.
• Performance Graphs — monitors processes and their CPU usage so you know which programs are consuming the most resources.

In my testing, Norton 360’s optimization tools performed excellently. When running each tool, it took a minute to complete the scan, resulting in a noticeable enhancement to my device’s overall performance. While my PC already had a quick startup time of 30 seconds, Norton’s Startup Manager further reduced it to an impressive 20 seconds.

Norton’s performance graph tool proves to be an invaluable asset for improving system performance. It provides comprehensive insights into your computer’s performance, showing all changes Norton makes, running processes and their CPU usage, firewall notifications, and more — you get to see what’s happening in the background and know what to fix.

Sometimes, malware could be responsible for your PC running slow — and oftentimes, they’re difficult to remove. Luckily, Norton’s best-in-class anti-malware engine can remove stubborn malware files including viruses, worms, PUPs, rootkits, trojans, and many more — responsible for clogging your PC. During tests, Norton 360 detected and removed 100% of the malware samples planted on my test Windows device.

To clean your PC, you can get any of the Norton 360 plans, which start at just $19.99. I recommend Norton 360 Deluxe, not only for its abilities speed up your system, but its exceptional ability in preventing malware infections that slow down your PC in the first place. Plus, it offers a 60 money-back guarantee to try the PC cleaner risk-free, covers 10 devices, and comes with robust security features.

3. iolo — Multiple PC Tune-up Tools That Improve PC Performance

Key Features:

iolo System Mechanic Pro is yet another powerful PC cleaner that can speed up your computer in no time. iolo started as a Windows PC optimization tool and has grown to include real-time malware protection. When it comes to keeping your PC in peak performance, iolo is one of the top tools on the market. It successfully eliminates junk files, including browser history, cookies, registry files, unwanted files, and broken shortcut links.

Some of the PC cleanup and optimization tools that iolo offers are:

• PC Cleanup — provides different tools for removing junk files, clearing browser cookies, registry files, and broken Windows shortcuts.
• Startup Optimizer — gives you the option to disable unnecessary auto-launch programs on PC startup.
• Speed Up — offers several tools to increase speed up PC performance by optimizing how system resources are allocated (only available on the System Mechanic Ultimate Defense package).
• Drive Scrubber — allows thorough drive wiping, eliminating all traces of files and apps from various storage devices such as USB drives, external hard drives, and camera storage.

During tests, I was particularly impressed by Memory Mechanic (part of the Speed Up tools), which took seconds to run and recovered almost 1.5GB of RAM. I was also impressed by iolo’s startup optimizer. It examined the programs launching during my PC’s startup and presented me with the option to disable unnecessary ones. Once I stopped rarely used apps from running, iolo slashed my PC’s startup time from 30 seconds to 15 seconds.

iolo’s LiveBoost feature optimizes system performance in real time by dynamically adjusting CPU and RAM resources. It intelligently allocates resources for gaming, multimedia editing, and multitasking, minimizing lags and slowdowns. LiveBoost also monitors and adjusts power settings to strike a balance between speed and energy efficiency, providing a seamlessly optimized computing experience.

iolo System Mechanic is a great product for PC cleaning — among a range of other standalone products that starts at $23.99. The System Mechanic Ultimate Defense plan stands out as the most comprehensive option, offering not only PC optimization tools but also additional features such as a password manager. You can try any iolo product risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. Bitdefender — OneClick Optimizer Clears Junk Files Completely

Key Features:

Bitdefender provides a user-friendly OneClick Optimizer that effectively eliminates redundant files and creates more storage space. The disk cleaner scans the entire system for obsolete files, temporary data, browser cookies, and registry problems. In my evaluations, Bitdefender rapidly cleared 3.89GB of unnecessary files, leading to a significant enhancement in PC speed.

Although the OneClick Optimizer is functional, it lacks the customization options found in alternatives like TotalAV and iolo. Personally, I prefer a PC cleaner that grants me the freedom to select specific file types for removal. Additionally, the absence of a Startup Manager in the one-click feature limits its ability to enhance boot times by preventing certain programs from launching.

Bitdefender’s robust antivirus engine ensures that you’re protected from malware threats that cause slow down of PCs. My team and I conducted rigorous testing on a dedicated Windows machine, deliberately infecting it with malware and viruses. Impressively, Bitdefender successfully detected and flagged 100% of the malicious threats, including those that were only identified as recently as 4 weeks before the tests.

Bitdefender has various plans which start at $24.99, but the OneClick PC cleaner is only available on the Total Security and Premium plans, which are the most feature-rich. You can try any plan risk-free using Bitdefender’s 30-day money-back guarantee. It should give you enough time to try the optimization tool and other features like a password manager, VPN, and parental control tools for up to 10 devices.

5. McAfee — Improves PC Performance and Speeds up Web Browsing

Key Features:

McAfee is another antivirus with impressive PC cleaning and optimization features. It offers multiple cleanup features that improve PC performance and even the websites you visit. These features include App and Web Boost, and Tracker Remover.

Tracker Remover is useful for ensuring your privacy online and optimizing your PC performance. By getting rid of these digital trackers (cookies and web beacons), it reduces the data processed during browsing, leading to faster page loading times and smoother online experiences. This also prevents online ad companies from tracking your browsing activity.

McAfee’s Web Boost enhances your browsing experience by blocking auto-playing videos, resulting in faster page loading times and improved battery life. Enabling this feature on Google Chrome for Windows 8 and 10 led to noticeable enhancements in both speed and efficiency. However, it’s worth noting that Web Boost is limited to being an extension exclusively for Google Chrome.

In addition, McAfee comes with a robust anti-malware engine. During tests, it removed all the sample viruses, trojans, adware, and other malware threats I planted on my test PC. It also comes with a VPN to secure your browsing, firewall, phishing protection, and more.

McAfee’s plans start at $39.99, with several subscriptions to choose from. Among all of them, I recommend the Total Protection plan for its comprehensive features. It offers tools like Tracker Remover, App Boost and Web Boost, and more. You can test McAfee risk-free for 30 days using the money-back guarantee.

6. Avira — HyperBoost Feature Improves Boot Time by a Margin

Key Features:

Avira’s extensive collection of optimization tools brings remarkable enhancements to system performance. Within the Performance tab, you’ll find a multitude of tools that assist in freeing up space, boosting boot time, and maintaining your computer’s optimal performance levels.

Some of these tools are:

• Hyper Boost — Accelerates startup time by up to 25% through advanced optimizations and efficient booting sequence structuring.
• Battery Saver — Optimizes and monitors battery usage for extended device lifespan.
• Driver Updater — Automatically updates outdated device drivers.
• Duplicate Finder — Frees up storage space by eliminating duplicate files.
• Power Cleaner — Improves system performance by removing junk files and fixing registry errors.
• Game Booster — Enhances gaming experience by closing background applications and unnecessary processes, and optimizing system resources.

Avira’s power cleaner tool stood out to me with its comprehensive system scanning capabilities that target performance-hindering elements like registry errors and browser junk. With the free software, I managed to clear 106MB of storage space and eliminate 130 registry entries. Upgrading to the paid plan unlocked further optimization options, resulting in 2GB of additional freed space and the removal of over 11,000 unwanted files.

I was also impressed with Avira’s Hyper Boost tool. Despite requiring 5 complete restarts for optimization, the wait proved worthwhile as my boot time significantly decreased to just 62 seconds. This improvement surpassed Avira’s advertised 25% boost.

Avira’s cloud-based antivirus engine is super helpful in getting rid of malware capable of slowing down your PC. During tests, Avira found 99.98% of the viruses, adware, botnets, and rootkits, responsible for my PC slowdown. Avira has a decent free version with robust malware detection ability and basic optimization tools.

There are 2 premium plans, which start at $26.99: Avira Internet Security and Avira Prime. Most of the PC cleanup tools are only available unrestricted on Avira Prime, which is the highest-priced plan. However, Avira has a 60-day money-back guarantee you can use to test all the PC cleanup features risk-free.

7. Panda — Provides an Efficient Startup Optimizer That Speeds up Boot-Time

Key Features:

Panda Dome offers a range of optimization features designed to enhance your PC’s performance and security. They are:

• Cleanup — Removes junk files and unnecessary data, freeing up valuable storage space on your device.
• Boot Manager — Controls which applications launch during startup, allowing for a faster boot time.
• Process Monitor — Tracks running processes and allows you to manage resource-intensive tasks efficiently.
• Driver Updater — Updates outdated drivers, ensuring optimal hardware performance and compatibility.
• Disk Defragmenter — Optimizes disk performance by rearranging fragmented data.

I was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency of the hard drive cleaner, swiftly identifying and eliminating more than 1GB of unnecessary files in merely a minute. Furthermore, the Defragmenter completed its task in just a few seconds, leading to a noticeable enhancement in my PC’s performance.

Panda provides a range of PC cleaning options, starting at $22.50. Their plans, including Panda Dome Essential, Advanced, and Complete Protection, cater to diverse optimization needs. The Complete Protection plan stands out for its comprehensive suite of cleanup tools. You can confidently try Panda with their 30-day money-back guarantee.

8. CCleaner — Comprehensive and Feature-Rich Cleanup Tools

Key Features:

CCleaner is one of the oldest PC cleaners on the internet — known for its thorough cleaning abilities. It offers a range of features designed to enhance your PC’s performance and safeguard your online privacy. I found it easy to use, especially for removing unused and temporary files to improve system performance.

CCleaner comes equipped with a comprehensive set of features tailored to optimize your PC. They are:

• Junk file cleaner — efficiently removes unnecessary files, freeing up valuable storage space.
• Registry cleaner — identifies and fixes registry errors, ensuring smooth system operations.
• Browser cleaner — clears browsing histories, cookies, and caches, thereby protecting your privacy.
• Startup Manager — controls which programs launch at startup to improve boot time.
• Uninstall Manager — helps you remove unwanted applications completely.
• Drive Wiper — securely wipes drives, ensuring sensitive data is permanently deleted.
• Software Updater — automatically updates installed software for enhanced security.
• Real-time Monitoring (Paid plan) — monitors system health and notifies of potential issues.
• Automatic Software Updates (Paid plan) — keeps your installed programs up to date for improved security.

In my tests, CCleaner found about 230 trackers across my browsers and 3GB of junk files — and once I removed them, I noticed an improvement in my PC speed. Overall, I found CCleaner pretty easy to use for cleaning PC junk and speeding up your device.

CCleaner offers a paid plan, CCleaner Professional Plus, that unlocks advanced functionalities. This plan provides access to real-time monitoring, which actively keeps track of system health and notifies users of potential issues. Furthermore, the automatic software updates ensure that your installed programs are always up to date, closing security loopholes.

9. IObit— Provides System Care Tools to Improve PC Performance

Key Features:

IObit offers a comprehensive suite of optimization tools to enhance your PC’s performance and security. However, it doesn’t have malware removal abilities which the top antiviruses with PC cleaners have.

With IObit, you gain access to an array of impressive features:

• Advanced SystemCare — improves system speed, boosts performance, and enhances overall stability.
• Driver Booster — updates outdated drivers to ensure optimal hardware performance and compatibility.
• Uninstaller — removes unwanted programs and browser plugins with ease.
• Startup Manager — controls startup items to minimize boot time and optimize system resources.
• Privacy Sweep — cleans up privacy traces to safeguard your personal information.
• Registry Cleaner — scans and fixes registry issues to enhance system stability.

These features work in harmony to optimize your PC’s performance, remove clutter, and protect your privacy. By eliminating unnecessary files, updating drivers, and managing startup items, IObit improves system speed and responsiveness, allowing you to enjoy a smoother computing experience.

While IObit offers a free version with basic features, upgrading to the paid plan, such as the Advanced SystemCare Pro, unlocks advanced functionalities. The Pro version provides additional features like real-time system monitoring, automatic updates, and deep PC cleaning, taking your PC optimization to the next level.

10. Ashampoo WinOptimizer — Offers Real-Time Performance Monitoring

Key Features:

Ashampoo WinOptimizer offers a comprehensive set of features to enhance PC performance and streamline system maintenance. Some of its notable features include:

• Disk Cleaner — efficiently removes junk files and unnecessary data to free up storage space.
• Registry Optimizer — scans and repairs registry issues for improved system stability.
• Privacy Protection — protects sensitive data and ensures online privacy.
• Automatic Optimization — automatically optimizes system settings for enhanced performance.
• Real-time System Monitoring — monitors system resources and provides real-time performance information.
• Game Booster — maximizes gaming performance by prioritizing system resources.
• Startup Tuner — manages startup programs to improve system boot time.
• Internet Tuner — optimizes internet connection settings for faster browsing and downloads.
• File Wiper — securely deletes sensitive files to protect privacy.
• Backup Manager — creates backups of important files and folders for data protection.

These features, combined with a user-friendly interface, make Ashampoo WinOptimizer a reliable choice for optimizing PC performance and maintaining system health. With the paid plan, you can unlock additional features and fully leverage the software’s capabilities.

Quick Comparison Table: 2024’s Best Computer Optimizer Software

How I Tested and Ranked the Best Computer Cleaner Utilities

The best PC cleaners can optimize your PC to keep it running smoothly. There are standalone PC Cleaners, but the best PC cleaners are part of an antivirus suite. These PC cleaners have the following abilities:

• PC Cleanup and Optimization effectiveness — Optimizing your PC for peak performance is crucial. That’s why I only handpicked reliable PC cleanup and optimization tools that are truly effective at removing junk files, enhancing boot time, and protecting your privacy.
• Malware protection — After optimizing my PC, I also wanted to stay protected from malware. Some malware like adware, spyware, and viruses affect your PC’s performance by slowing it down. I prioritized software that provides malware protection alongside PC optimization tools.
• Ease of use — An intuitive PC Cleaner and Optimizer makes speeding up your system seamless. I chose the tools that offer fast cleanup time, easy-to-use apps, and can work on multiple devices.
• Value for money — Getting a trustworthy PC Cleaner and Optimizer doesn’t have to break the bank. This is why I focused on shortlisting the most affordable tools that offer good value for money. I also ensured that I only tested the PC cleaners that offer free trials or money-back guarantees and allow you to test the features risk-free.

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Clean & Optimize Your Computer

FAQs on PC Cleaner & Optimizer Utilities

Keep Your Computer Clean & Optimized With These Utilities

If your PC suffers from constant slowdowns, it’s likely due to junk files, unwanted programs, or malware. To improve your PC’s performance, using PC cleaner and optimizer software is essential, especially one that can also remove malware often responsible for PC slowdown.

The best PC cleaners scan and remove junk files, fix registry issues, and offer antivirus protection against malware. After testing numerous options, TotalAV emerges as the top choice, excelling in junk removal, scan speed, malware protection, and more. With its risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, you can confidently try TotalAV’s powerful features and optimize your PC’s performance.

Summary — Best Software in 2024 To Clean Your Computer

Rank

Provider name

Our score

Price

Top Ranked Top Choice

1.

8.2

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$19.00 / year Save 80%

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2.

9.8

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$19.99 / year Save 75%

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3.

7.0

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$23.99 / year Save 70%

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4.

8.0

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$24.99 / year Save 59%

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5.

9.0

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$39.99 / year Save 69%

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