CCleaner for mac has been around the block a few times even though it is still pretty new. The utility is an easy to use Mac cleaner that helps to clean up your Mac and improve speed and performance. It removes any files that slow down your Mac and clears your browsing history.
CCleaner Notification BoardRepairingA good registry cleaner always offers you the option to create backup files or restore points in case something goes terribly wrong. Thankfully CCleaner is indeed able to create backup files that you can export to your desktop and to access them later to restore all deleted information.
However, this rule only applies to the registry, which means that any Windows files or applications you choose to delete will be permanently removed. Speaking of deleting files, CCleaner also allows you to access a list of found threats and errors, letting you manually choose what you want to delete or keep.
In addition, when cleaning the registry, a message appears on top of the screen telling you more about each issue and suggesting what to do with it. However, if you don’t have the time or patience to go over said list, you can simply fix everything in a couple of seconds.
CCleaner Registry BackupPricingThe good news is that CCleaner has a that you can use for an unlimited time. Unfortunately, most of the features are either limited or are not available. However, the free version is good enough to give you a little taste of what you get with the paid versions, where only the sky is the limit.Without doubt the best offer is: it is not only available for Windows-based computers (XP+) and Mac devices, but the Windows version also offers a free trial for 14 days. However, thanks to the fact that CCleaner is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Windows users can purchase an even better deal for only $39.95: CCleaner Professional Plus, which includes the three aforementioned programs (Deffragler, Speccy and Recuva) in a 4-in-1 bundle. Aside from these solutions, you can also download an Android or Kindle Fire application and pay for only those actions you perform.
Speaking of payments; you can pay with anything from credit cards to PayPal and wire transfers. But regardless of the payment method and subscription, every paying CCleaner user is entitled to a 30-day money back guarantee. CCleaner's Plans for MacCustomer ServiceUnlike many bigger registry cleaning solution providers, Piriform offers many ways for you to resolve your issues. Although there is no 24/7 assistance or live chat, you can send an email to the staff or visit the company’s social media pages (Facebook and Twitter) where not only your questions are answered within mere hours, but you can always find updated information, news and articles too. You can also visit the extensive FAQ page for extensive “how to” guides, the community forum with help provided by other users and the various help articles available on Piriform’s website. Bottom LineIn conclusion CCleaner is kind of a mixed back. Don’t get us wrong, the program is very good in itself, but it is still quite unfortunate that you have to download other solutions to perform more diverse tasks on your computer.
This method will definitely raise some eyebrows as most users definitely want their PC maintenance program to be able to perform multiple tasks at once without having to switch between solutions. Nonetheless, is definitely worth its price, and the 1.5 billion downloaders are right to go after the software. Its client is easy to use and the fact that you can customize its settings along with the super fast scanning and repairing options is nothing more than a huge advantage. And if we add the competitive prices, the money back guarantee, the free trial and the free version to the list, we end up with something that can serve and protect your computer from harm for many years to come.
How to maintain a Mac1. Make redundant backups, keeping at least one off site at all times. One backup is not enough. Don’t back up your backups; make them independent of each other. Don’t rely completely on any single backup method, such as Time Machine.
If you get an indication that a backup has failed, don't ignore it.2. Keep your software up to date.
In the Software Update preference pane, you can configure automatic notifications of updates to OS X and other Mac App Store products. Some third-party applications from other sources have a similar feature, if you don’t mind letting them phone home.
Otherwise you have to check yourself on a regular basis. This is especially important for complex software that modifies the operating system, such as device drivers. Before installing any Apple update, you must check that all such modifications that you use are compatible.3. Don't install crapware, such as “themes,” 'haxies,' “add-ons,” “toolbars,” “enhancers,' “optimizers,” “accelerators,” 'boosters,' “extenders,” “cleaners,” 'doctors,' 'tune-ups,' “defragmenters,” “firewalls,” 'barriers,' “guardians,” “defenders,” “protectors,” most “plugins,” commercial 'virus scanners,” 'disk tools,' or 'utilities.'
With very few exceptions, this stuff is useless, or worse than useless.The more actively promoted the product, the more likely it is to be garbage. The most extreme example is the “MacKeeper” scam.As a rule, the only software you should install is that which directly enables you to do the things you use a computer for — such as creating, communicating, and playing — and does not modify the way other software works.
Use your computer; don't fuss with it.Never install any third-party software unless you know how to uninstall it. Otherwise you may create problems that are very hard to solve.The free anti-malware application is not crap, and although it’s not routinely needed, it may be useful in some environments, such as a mixed Mac-Windows enterprise network.4. Beware of trojans.
A trojan is malicious software (“malware”) that the user is duped into installing voluntarily. Such attacks were rare on the Mac platform until sometime in 2011, but are now increasingly common, and increasingly dangerous.There is some built-in protection against downloading malware, but you can’t rely on it — the attackers are always at least one day ahead of the defense.
You can’t rely on third-party protection either. What you can rely on is common-sense awareness — not paranoia, which only makes you more vulnerable.Never install software from an untrustworthy or unknown source. If in doubt, do some research.
Any website that prompts you to install a “codec” or “plugin” that comes from the same site, or an unknown site, is untrustworthy. Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be acquired directly from the developer. No intermediary is acceptable, and don’t trust links unless you know how to parse them. Any file that is automatically downloaded from a web page without your having requested it should go straight into the Trash. A website that claims you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, is rogue.In OS X 10.7.5 or later, downloaded applications and Installer packages that have not been digitally signed by a developer registered with Apple are blocked from loading by default.
The block can be overridden, but think carefully before you do so.Because of recurring security issues in Java, it’s best to it in your web browsers, if it’s installed. Few websites have Java content nowadays, so you won’t be missing much. This action is mandatory if you’re running any version of OS X older than 10.6.8 with the latest Java update. Note: Java has nothing to do with Java Script, despite the similar names.
Don't install Java unless you're sure you need it. Most people don't.5.
Don't fill up your boot volume. A common mistake is adding more and more large files to your home folder until you start to get warnings that you're out of space, which may be followed in short order by a boot failure. This is more prone to happen on the newer Macs that come with an internal SSD instead of the traditional hard drive. The drive can be very nearly full before you become aware of the problem.
While it's not true that you should or must keep any particular percentage of space free, you should monitor your storage consumption and make sure you're not in immediate danger of using it up. According to, you need at least 9 GB of free space on the startup volume for normal operation.If storage space is running low, use a tool such as the free application to explore your volume and find out what's taking up the most space. Move rarely-used large files to secondary storage.6. Relax, don’t do it. How to maintain a Mac1.
Make redundant backups, keeping at least one off site at all times. One backup is not enough.
Don’t back up your backups; make them independent of each other. Don’t rely completely on any single backup method, such as Time Machine. If you get an indication that a backup has failed, don't ignore it.2. Keep your software up to date. In the Software Update preference pane, you can configure automatic notifications of updates to OS X and other Mac App Store products. Some third-party applications from other sources have a similar feature, if you don’t mind letting them phone home. Otherwise you have to check yourself on a regular basis.
This is especially important for complex software that modifies the operating system, such as device drivers. Before installing any Apple update, you must check that all such modifications that you use are compatible.3. Don't install crapware, such as “themes,” 'haxies,' “add-ons,” “toolbars,” “enhancers,' “optimizers,” “accelerators,” 'boosters,' “extenders,” “cleaners,” 'doctors,' 'tune-ups,' “defragmenters,” “firewalls,” 'barriers,' “guardians,” “defenders,” “protectors,” most “plugins,” commercial 'virus scanners,” 'disk tools,' or 'utilities.' With very few exceptions, this stuff is useless, or worse than useless.The more actively promoted the product, the more likely it is to be garbage. The most extreme example is the “MacKeeper” scam.As a rule, the only software you should install is that which directly enables you to do the things you use a computer for — such as creating, communicating, and playing — and does not modify the way other software works.
Use your computer; don't fuss with it.Never install any third-party software unless you know how to uninstall it. Otherwise you may create problems that are very hard to solve.The free anti-malware application is not crap, and although it’s not routinely needed, it may be useful in some environments, such as a mixed Mac-Windows enterprise network.4. Beware of trojans. A trojan is malicious software (“malware”) that the user is duped into installing voluntarily.
Such attacks were rare on the Mac platform until sometime in 2011, but are now increasingly common, and increasingly dangerous.There is some built-in protection against downloading malware, but you can’t rely on it — the attackers are always at least one day ahead of the defense. You can’t rely on third-party protection either.
What you can rely on is common-sense awareness — not paranoia, which only makes you more vulnerable.Never install software from an untrustworthy or unknown source. If in doubt, do some research. Any website that prompts you to install a “codec” or “plugin” that comes from the same site, or an unknown site, is untrustworthy.
Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be acquired directly from the developer. No intermediary is acceptable, and don’t trust links unless you know how to parse them. Any file that is automatically downloaded from a web page without your having requested it should go straight into the Trash. A website that claims you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, is rogue.In OS X 10.7.5 or later, downloaded applications and Installer packages that have not been digitally signed by a developer registered with Apple are blocked from loading by default. The block can be overridden, but think carefully before you do so.Because of recurring security issues in Java, it’s best to it in your web browsers, if it’s installed.
Few websites have Java content nowadays, so you won’t be missing much. This action is mandatory if you’re running any version of OS X older than 10.6.8 with the latest Java update. Note: Java has nothing to do with Java Script, despite the similar names. Don't install Java unless you're sure you need it. Most people don't.5. Don't fill up your boot volume.
A common mistake is adding more and more large files to your home folder until you start to get warnings that you're out of space, which may be followed in short order by a boot failure. This is more prone to happen on the newer Macs that come with an internal SSD instead of the traditional hard drive. The drive can be very nearly full before you become aware of the problem. While it's not true that you should or must keep any particular percentage of space free, you should monitor your storage consumption and make sure you're not in immediate danger of using it up. According to, you need at least 9 GB of free space on the startup volume for normal operation.If storage space is running low, use a tool such as the free application to explore your volume and find out what's taking up the most space. Move rarely-used large files to secondary storage.6. Relax, don’t do it.
Rob54Whit wrote:does ccleaner work well on a mac or should I use it- or use another method of removing junk files and empty chaceYour OS does an excellent job of cleaning up after itself, so unless you are the one contributing junk then it would almost certainly be a waste of time and money, at best, and could damage your system or applications. The same is generally true of all such cleaner apps, as others have already told you.If, after following the advice of Linc and possibly other contributors here you are having specific issues, start a new thread to describe them and somebody will almost certainly be able to help. Linc Davis, I am very careful about what I install on my Mac and have only worried about a couple of things.
Below are questions that I've wondered.Removing software/apps - I did install AppCleaner to remove any software or app that I have installed and/or am not using. Is AppCleaner good for accomplishing this or is it risky.
If not, what is the best way to remove ALL of the files related to an app? An example is Airmail.
I was looking for a different mail app, tried this one, and don't like it. Will AppCleaner do the job in removing ALL of the files related to Airmail?App Store and Safari Extensions - Can we safely assume that the apps in these two sources have been examined and are safe for Macs?Thanks for your help. Your post on maintaing a mac is very helpful!!!
Gat0r wrote:Linc Davis, I am very careful about what I install on my Mac and have only worried about a couple of things.Linc doesn't always monitor older entries, but hopefully he'll be back later today. In the meanwhile I'll try and give you a few of my opinions/tips.Removing software/apps.Always go back to the developer first for instructions on how to remove their software. They will often have an uninstaller script either built into the app itself or available for download to take care of that. At other times they will simply list the items you need to track down and trash.If you downloaded the app from the AppStore, then Open LaunchPad, find the app and hold the option key down. If an 'X' in a circle shows up to the upper left of the icon, clicking that should be all you need to do. If there is no 'X' then go back to the Finder and drag the app to the trash. There shouldn't be any files left over (e.g.
Preference files), but if there are they will be insignificant and not worth the bother to track down.None of the remover apps is perfect, although some are better than others. Personally, I don't rely on any of them. Most use a simple search for any file containing the name of the app, something I can do just as well with EasyFind or Find Any File if I need to. One or two will watch to see what files an installer or the application install and keep a list to use to uninstall. Those are better than the first type, but do have to be active in the background when you do the install to work and will slow your computer to some extent.App Store and Safari Extensions - Can we safely assume that the apps in these two sources have been examined and are safe for Macs?AppStore apps have been screened by Apple to make certain that they comply with the rules, but there have been a couple of instances where they were found after the fact to be using information inappropriately. That is to say they asked the user for access to the contacts list and then exported information from them for uses that were not expected. I believe those were pulled shortly thereafter.I'm not aware of any screening by Apple of Safari Extensions and that is currently the primary source of Adware these days.
See this new for additional details. Google Chrome just implemented a new policy which I hope gets extended to Mac users and other browser. Gat0r wrote:Removing software/apps - I did install AppCleaner to remove any software or app that I have installed and/or am not using.
Is AppCleaner good for accomplishing this or is it risky. If not, what is the best way to remove ALL of the files related to an app? An example is Airmail.
I was looking for a different mail app, tried this one, and don't like it. Will AppCleaner do the job in removing ALL of the files related to Airmail?I use AppCleaner and it's probably one of the most inocuous and harmless apps of this type that you can use. However you don't really even need this as the others said. I like it because it does find most of the associated files of the particular app and delete them as well. Saves me a good bit of time if I want to get rid of something. Plus it's got very good default safeguards that won't let you accidentily delete any critical items. It won't always find every associated file but it does get most.
My habit these days since the appearance of the App Store is to only install items from there. If something I want isn't available there I figure I don't really need it.
And deleting those, if no longer needed, is quite simple.The only other things I have installed is Flash and Java because unfortunately there are still some sites that give you no other option. But I have them disabled unless I'm specifically going to a site I'm familiar with that need these to function. I'm really surprised at all the negative responses here. Are most so called 'cleaner' programs baloney money grabs? Is CCleaner one? Heck no!CCleaner is super transparent about what it does. You have full control.
It isn't just pressing a button and having some invisible cleaning magic happen behind the scenes.You launch CCleaner and you get these options to free up hard drive space. Safari and all other browsers. You can pick and choose what to clean and what to leave around.
You want your history and session data preserved? Uncheck those. You have total control and the default settings are very conservative.It also has cool options like an easy app uninstaller. You can order the apps by size, by date installed, date last used, name, etc.
You can then choose which, if any, apps to uninstall and do it right from there. That is in the 'tools' section.It then lets you look at your startup items and disable or remove any of them you choose to.There are other things you can do with CCleaner but it isn't malicious, it isn't scamware, it's really good software that puts a bunch of stuff you could do yourself manually all in one location for you to do it quicker and easier. I've used it for years on Macs and PC's and 100% recommend it.I am NOT affiliated with CCleaner or Piriform in anyway. This page is one of the first pages on google when you search for CCleaner and OSX/Mac. It is relevant. I work in IT and am part of a team that supports over 30 sites and thousands of users.
We support Macs, Wintel, Chromebooks, and other specialty devices.CCleaner is the specific app that was inquired about. Nothing about CCleaner is 'lethal.' Experienced users don't 'need' it but hey, if you like to manually go and clear out your browser cache, and/or session data, etc.
And clear out app caches and your trash and system logs, etc. Because your old MacBook Air's tiny SSD needs every MB available you could take the ten minutes to do that or you could do it in 30 seconds using CCleaner. If you want to quickly organize the apps on that Macbook air by date last used and/or size to see if there are any that can be removed, which you can do from that same window, you can do that in another 30 seconds one click away.CCleaner is simply a tool of convenience. It's free, you can check it out yourself because it's plainly obvious to me that you've never used it nor has anybody in this thread. It won't change your browser settings, it won't complain at you to upgrade to the paid version, it won't make itself hard to remove. Oh, and it won't do anything 'lethal.'
If the OP had just asked about cleaning apps in general I'd agree with most of what's been said in this thread but OP asked specifically about CCleaner which is a good product. This page is one of the first pages on google when you search for CCleaner and OSX/MacNevertheless, it's a four year old thread.I work in ITOf course. Still doesn't change my opinion, no any of the other regular posters here.if you like to manually go and clear out your browser cache, and/or session data, etc. And clear out app caches and your trash and system logs, etc. Because your old MacBook Air's tiny SSD needs every MB available you could take the ten minutes to do that or you could do it in 30 seconds using CCleanerWhy would you want to do things that a: slow the Mac down or b: can be done with a simple finder command or c: happen automatically? But you work in IT, so, I guess that means something. Apple Footer.This site contains user submitted content, comments and opinions and is for informational purposes only.
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