Enterprise Storage

The Top 6 Disk Cleanup Software

Disk cleanup software helps users optimize computer storage by removing unnecessary files, temporary data, and other clutter to enhance system performance.

Last updated on Sep 23, 2024

Written by Alex Zawalnyski

Technical review by Laura Iannini

The Top Disk 6 Cleanup Software Solutions Include:

1. BleachBit
2. CCleaner
3. East-Tec Eraser
4. Glary Utilities
5. Revo Uninststaller Pro
6. Wise Disk Cleaner

Disk cleanup software enables users to optimize their computer’s performance by freeing up storage space, deleting unnecessary files, and enhancing overall system efficiency. Optimal disk space management is essential for maintaining a clutter-free and responsive computer system, as it helps prevent lagging or other performance issues. An effective disk cleanup tool eliminates junk files, duplicate files, temporary files, and other dispensable data, allowing your computer to run more smoothly.

These cleanup tools are designed to simplify the task of identifying and removing redundant or unneeded information from your computer, making the process hassle-free for users. Many of the top disk cleanup software suites also offer additional features, such as registry cleaning, internet privacy protection, and system optimization tools. This results in a comprehensive solution for a well-maintained and efficient computer system.

This guide will discuss the top disk cleanup software solutions available on the market, comparing their features, ease of use, performance, and user reviews. We will consider their ability to efficiently clean up disk space, as well as the range of additional tools they provide for system optimization and maintenance. Each of these tools has been chosen for its ability to deliver a high-quality disk cleanup experience while focusing on the essential aspects of computer system management.

BleachBit

BleachBit is an open-source tool that is designed to free up disk space and protect user privacy on Linux and Windows systems. It cleans thousands of applications including popular browsers like Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera. BleachBit goes beyond simply deleting files by offering advanced features such as shredding files to prevent recovery and wiping free disk space to hide traces of previously deleted files.

With an easy-to-use interface, users can efficiently clean their computers to free up space and maintain privacy. BleachBit’s portability allows Windows users to run it without installation, while its command line interface enables scripting and automation. Additionally, users can create their own cleaners using CleanerML, an XML-based markup language, and import more cleaners using the CleanerML community repository or winapp2.ini file for Windows.

BleachBit’s advanced cleaners provide further capabilities such as clearing memory on Linux systems, deleting Linux localizations, cleaning APT for Debian, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint, and deleting Windows registry keys. The platform can vacuum Firefox, Google Chrome, and other databases to save space and improve speed. By using BleachBit, users can free disk space, maintain privacy, and enhance system performance while ensuring their data remains secure.

CCleaner

CCleaner for PC enhances the performance of Windows computers while ensuring online privacy. The program offers a variety of features such as Driver Updater, which improves aspects like visuals, sound, and internet connectivity, while reducing software issues, hardware problems, and crashes. Another feature, PC Health Check, analyzes and recommends solutions to quickly fix and boost the system’s performance.

CCleaner can automatically update outdated apps to minimize security risks. As an award-winning tool trusted by millions, it offers simple one-click cleaning, making it easy for beginners to optimize their computers. The software helps speed up slow computers by removing unused files, freezing resource-heavy applications, and updating out-of-date drivers.

To ensure safer browsing, CCleaner erases browser search history and cookies, maintaining user confidentiality and anonymity. Its patented registry cleaner eliminates errors and broken settings for a more stable system, alongside the implementation of an effective driver updater. Additionally, CCleaner reduces startup time by disabling unnecessary programs, leading to a quicker and more efficient performance.

East-Tec Eraser

East-Tec Eraser is an online privacy protection software that is designed to securely delete internet and PC activity traces, as well as traces of over 350 third-party applications, and unused files. This software enhances both online and offline privacy by erasing files stored without user knowledge or approval such as internet history, web pages, and cookies.

East-Tec Eraser ensures data is permanently erased and unrecoverable by destroying confidential information beyond recovery. The platform is compatible with all popular browsers, and the software can securely erase internet history, visited web pages, address bar locations, and unwanted cookies. Additionally, it can safely delete files and clean traces from various software programs, including email readers, productivity apps, and entertainment software.

To improve system performance, East-Tec Eraser securely erases thousands of unnecessary and temporary files created by the operating system or other software applications. This offline and online privacy protection software adheres to government and industry standards for permanent data erasure. With its built-in scheduler and automatic protection, confidential files are erased and online activity traces are cleaned regularly.

Offering advanced features for professional use, East-Tec Eraser includes support for user-defined wipe methods, can run in stealth mode, has password protection, and command-line parameters. The software also comes with a removable media wiper for USB drives, memory cards, and external hard drives. It has an anti-surprise key to automatically close open windows and run the pre-selected erasing options. The intuitive interface and wizards ensure a user-friendly experience for secure data erasure and privacy protection.

Glary Utilities

Glary Utilities is a free, all-in-one utility for cleaning and maintaining your PC, offering more than 20 tools to optimize your computer’s performance. With one-click maintenance, users can easily clean up junk files, fix system errors, clear privacy records, and enhance their computer’s overall performance.

This utility helps free up drive space by searching for, and safely deleting, old temporary files, obsolete installation files, log files, error reports, and other unnecessary data. Prevention of errors and crashes is achieved by safely cleaning up registry errors and detecting and fixing disk corruption. Glary Utilities can also help improve computer speed by identifying and disabling unnecessary startup programs or uninstalling infrequently used software.

In addition, Glary Utilities aids in protecting user privacy by finding and deleting browsing history and other sensitive data. The tool also ensures that software is up to date by discovering and assisting with updates. Lost or accidentally deleted files can be quickly recovered, while disk space usage can be analyzed to find large files or folders. Duplicate files (which can take up significant disk space) can be easily discovered and removed using Glary Utilities’ Duplicate Finder.

Revo Uninststaller Pro

Revo Uninstaller Pro is a software removal tool that helps users uninstall programs and remove unwanted applications with ease. The program works by first running the built-in uninstaller of the software and then scanning for leftover data, such as files, folders, and registry entries. With its advanced scanning algorithms, Revo Uninstaller Pro offers a thorough software removal process.

Revo Uninstaller Pro 5 introduces the capability to uninstall programs and apps for standard users, as well as scanning for leftovers of all available accounts on a computer. The software also offers Forced Uninstall, a powerful module designed to remove programs without a built-in uninstaller, or those that have been only partially installed or removed. The Quick Uninstall feature allows users to uninstall multiple programs in one go, streamlining the removal process.

In addition to uninstalling, Revo Uninstaller Pro also provides tools for managing browser extensions, Windows Apps and installation logs, all in an organized manner. The multi-level backup system ensures user peace of mind by creating restore points, Windows registry backups, and recycling leftover files. Additional cleaning tools are included, such as Autorun Manager, Junk Files Cleaner, Windows Tools, History Cleaner, Evidence Remover, and Unrecoverable Delete, further enhancing the software’s functionality.

Wise Disk Cleaner

Wise Disk Cleaner is a free disk cleanup and defragment tool designed to improve the performance of your computer by removing unnecessary junk files, browser traces, cookies, and history. With its advanced algorithms, Wise Disk Cleaner efficiently scans and removes unwanted files, freeing up valuable hard disk space and enhancing your computer’s speed.

Additionally, the software aids in protecting your privacy by cleaning internet histories, cache files, and cookies from various browsers, as well as erasing traces caused by the Windows system, components, and other applications. Its Disk Defrag feature rearranges fragmented data, allowing your disks and drives to operate more effectively. With a clear graphic chart of the selected drive, users can easily assess drive usage.

Wise Disk Cleaner also supports scheduled automatic disk cleaning, allowing users to set it to run daily, weekly, or monthly as needed. The software runs discreetly in the background, without interrupting regular computer usage. As a freeware that consumes minimal system resources, Wise Disk Cleaner offers free automatic updates and technical support via email.

Everything You Need To Know About Disk Cleanup Software (FAQs)

What Is Disk Cleanup Software?

Disk cleanup software is used to declutter your computers by removing unused applications and other unimportant data that is taking up space on your system. Although these are only very small fragments of information, they can accrue across your entire system, resulting in a large footprint. This unnecessary data will cause your system to slow down, as well as increasing the likelihood of system or application errors and crashes.

This type of solution can identify and remove the files that you don’t know are there. These are files that may have once supported an application you no longer use or are files that you think have been deleted already. The only noticeable effect of a disk cleanup software solution is that your system will run more efficiently. As all the deleted files are unused, they shouldn’t affect any of your regular processes.

Some platforms will also include defragmentation capabilities. This enables you to improve the organization of your files, resulting in smoother operations and workflows. Whenever you create, modify, or delete files, they can become scattered across your hard drive. Defragmentation tools restore some order, ensuring that files are stored in contiguous blocks. While this does not involve the removal of files, it does streamline processes, ensuring that your system runs as effectively as possible.

Many disk cleanup software solutions deploy a range of techniques to make incremental improvements across your entire estate. The effect of these small improvements is to increase speed and efficiency overall. Many of these platforms are also capable of updating out-of-date drivers and shredding deleted files to speed up services and preserve your data privacy.

How Does Disk Cleanup Software Work?

Disk Cleanup software works by scanning your system to identify files that are unnecessary a can be removed. This includes temporary files and cached webpages, as well as rejected items that have been moved to your recycling bin.

Rather than deleting files at random, disk cleanup software will ensure that any deleted data is safe to remove. There may be hidden interdependencies that you are not aware of. If you delete a, seemingly, irrelevant file that is actually necessary, applications and processes may not function, or you may be unable to uninstall applications down the line.

What Features Should You Look For In Disk Cleanup Software?

Compared to many IT maintenance tools, disk cleanup software is relatively straightforward. There are very few features for you to customize, meaning that you can set a cleanup software to run, then let it get to work. In this section we will consider the questions that you should think about when selecting a disk cleanup solution.

What Operating System Is It Compatible With?
Some cleanup tools will work across multiple platforms, while others will be designed to work with a specific one. It is worth considering how effective each cleanup tool will be for your specific use case, to ensure you select the right option.
How Frequently Do You Need To Run A Cleanup?
Cleanup tools tend to run automatically and regularly, ensuring that your system is frequently optimized. This should happen in the background, without disrupting your routine tasks. It is worth considering how often this happens, and if you need to manually schedule them to take place more frequently.
Does It Have Defragmentation Capabilities?
When files are moved, modified, or deleted, your hard drive can become fragmented where files spread across a large area and not stored in a logical manner. This results in slower processes as it takes longer to identify and collate relevant information. Defragmentation tools will organize your files so that they can be navigated and accessed efficiently.

Alex Zawalnyski

Journalist & Content Editor

Alex is an experienced journalist and content editor. He researches, writes, factchecks and edits articles relating to B2B cyber security and technology solutions, working alongside software experts. Alex was awarded a First Class MA (Hons) in English and Scottish Literature by the University of Edinburgh.

Laura Iannini

Cybersecurity Analyst

Laura Iannini is an Information Security Engineer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida. Laura has experience with a variety of cybersecurity platforms and leads technical reviews of leading solutions. She conducts thorough product tests to ensure that Expert Insights’ reviews are definitive and insightful.