Free PC Cleaners Compared: BleachBit, CCleaner, Storage Sense
A PC cleaner deletes junk: temp files, caches, old update files and logs. Windows already does much of this itself, so the real question is whether a third-party cleaner adds enough to be worth installing, and whether you trust it with permission to delete files.
Disclosure: Krypt makes Krypt Cleaner. Everything about the other products comes from their own sites, docs or repositories, checked in November 2026. Prices and features change often, so confirm on their site before you choose. No affiliation with any of them is implied.
At a glance (November 2026)
| Price | Open source | Platforms | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krypt Cleaner | Free | Yes (GitHub) | Windows | Health Check preview, risk label on every action, shader caches, duplicate finder; no telemetry or background service |
| BleachBit | Free | Yes, GPLv3 | Windows, Linux | Without admin rights it only cleans your user profile |
| CCleaner Free | Free; Pro is paid | Not stated | Windows | Automatic and scheduled cleaning are Pro features |
| Storage Sense | Built into Windows | No | Windows 10, 11 | Cleans temp files and the Recycle Bin automatically on a schedule |
| Disk Cleanup | Built into Windows | No | Windows | "Clean up system files" removes old update files; on Windows 11 the same lives in Settings → Storage |
| Wise Disk Cleaner | Free | Not stated | Windows 10, 11 | Lightweight junk-file cleaner |
Try the built-in tools first
Storage Sense and Settings → System → Storage → Cleanup recommendations handle temp files, update leftovers and the Recycle Bin without installing anything. A third-party cleaner earns its place when you want more coverage (browser and app caches, shader caches, crash dumps), a preview of what will go, or duplicate and large-file finding. See how to free up disk space on Windows 11.
Why trust matters with cleaners
A cleaner needs broad access to your files, which makes it a valuable target. In 2017 Cisco Talos found that an official CCleaner release (v5.33) had been compromised and shipped with a backdoor; v5.34 replaced it. Open source doesn't make a tool safe on its own, but it means anyone can check what the code deletes and sends. Whichever cleaner you choose, download it only from its official site.
When each one fits
- Storage Sense / Disk Cleanup if you just want space back and nothing installed.
- BleachBit for an established open-source cleaner, especially on Linux.
- CCleaner if you want its broader paid suite (driver updates, scheduled cleaning).
- [Krypt Cleaner](/blog/krypt-cleaner-setup-guide) if you want an open-source Windows cleaner that shows what it will free before cleaning, labels every action by risk, and covers game shader caches.
FAQ
What is the best free CCleaner alternative?
BleachBit and Krypt Cleaner are free and open source; Windows' own Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup cover the basics with nothing to install.
Is CCleaner safe now?
The 2017 compromise affected v5.33 and was fixed in v5.34. Like any cleaner, download it only from the official site and review what it's set to clean.
Do I need a PC cleaner on Windows 11?
Not necessarily. Storage Sense and Cleanup recommendations handle the basics. A cleaner helps if you want app and game caches, previews, or duplicate finding.