Advertisements and articles highlighting the benefits of PC cleaning tools for Windows are everywhere. It's frankly baffling how widespread these so-called "The Benefactors" Or Speed boosters Those who think they do nothing even remotely what they claim to. In the worst case, they could actually harm your computer. Let's take a look at five specific reasons to steer clear of Windows PC cleaning tools.
1. Windows has built-in optimization features.
Windows comes preloaded with a variety of PC management options. You can find tools like defragmentation, drive optimization, disk cleanup, Windows memory diagnostics, and more by searching for Windows Tools (In Windows 11) or Administrative tools (In Windows 10) From the taskbar.
Tip: You can safely turn off defragmentation for your SSDs, as they don't need it, and defragmentation can shorten their lifespan.
PC cleaners often tend to overemphasize disk maintenance functions, but in reality, these are redundant options already present in Windows.
2. Many do not work at all.
PC cleaners or optimization tools usually don't accomplish anything of value. Features like “Speed up your computer” و “Enhancing performance” To encourage users to install these third-party tools, but in reality they simply stand out. "fears" Fake and urges the user to "Repair" Concerns about "speed" Even their devices.
These "issues"—which include things like temporary files, invalid registry entries, browser cookies, fragmented files, visited web pages, and so on—are harmless and part of any computer's normal operation. Removing or cleaning them doesn't do anything at all, as they don't even slow down your system.
Good to know: There are many Windows processes that can be confused with malware of the same name.
3. They can harm performance.
Perhaps the worst thing about so-called computer cleaning tools is that they can do more harm than good. Many of these tools are bundled with additional software that users can easily overlook during installation. These unwanted programs can slow down your system by running in the background or bombarding you with browser ads and pop-up windows on your desktop.
You can also damage your system by: "Repair" Registry issues: These tools often perform incomplete tasks, leading to new problems in the process. Furthermore, by overdoing tasks like deleting cookies, temporary files, and so on, you can sometimes reduce performance, as your browser will take much longer to load frequently visited websites.
4. Your antivirus software may indicate false positives.
Many computer cleaning tools include an antivirus component that is routinely pushed to users. When these antivirus tools are used to scan the system, thousands of files are mistakenly identified as viruses. Removing these files can easily disrupt one or more of your computer's basic functions.
Additionally, many of these tools often carry malware. Downloading computer cleaners from unknown websites, email advertisements, or random pop-ups can lead users to unwittingly install viruses on their systems.
You don't need any of that to protect your PC, because Windows Defender is one of the Best Antivirus ToolsIt's free to use and is already part of your Windows installation. You can access it by searching for it in the taskbar, then clicking "Windows Defender" Or Windows Security.
Tip: If you still prefer to have a third-party antivirus on your computer, learn about How to permanently disable Windows Defender.
5. Some tricks
One of the biggest risks of using computer cleaning tools is exposing yourself to scammers who rely on the trust of unsuspecting users. Many of these tools are bundled with ransomware that can compromise your system and demand a fee to unlock your files.
Some of these tools have been identified by Microsoft as viruses. With the proliferation of PC cleaners and optimizers that show no signs of slowing down, it's best to avoid them altogether. In Windows, you already have all the tools you need to perform regular maintenance tasks, such as removing unnecessary programs, cleaning up junk files, defragmenting your hard drives, and running antivirus scans.
If you are interested in further strengthening your computer's defenses against viruses, you can: Enable ransomware protection in Windows Defender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How can I fix a slow computer?
answer. Instead of falling into the trap of computer cleaning tools, you can use the following tips to speed up a slow computer:
- Upgrade from hard drive to SSD..
- Schedule your hard drives to be defragmented at least once a month.
- In Task Manager, remove programs you don't need from startup.
- Add more RAM.
- Scan your computer for viruses using Microsoft Defender.
Q2. Are all PC cleaners harmful?
answer. Not all computer cleaning tools actively seek to deceive you or make money by advertising additional software. But even those don't add significant value to your computer's performance. Instead of installing yet another program that barely improves system performance, use the tools built into Windows to maintain your system.
Q3. How often should I optimize my computer?
answer. Optimizing your drives once a month is usually sufficient. Other tasks, such as file cleaning and running an antivirus scan, can also be performed once a week, depending on your individual usage.
