Windows maintenance sessions have a lot to do with cleaning. The operating system accumulates junk over time and loses performance on several levels. We've previously explored a wide range of cleaners, some with excessive and outdated features, but SCleaner points in the opposite direction. This Windows cleaner doesn't exceed 400 kilobytes, works portably as long as its dependencies are met, and focuses its actions only on specific items that require frequent cleaning.
Will we ever reach a version of Windows that doesn't require maintenance? Honestly, that question sounds like science fiction these days. Microsoft's operating system is huge, and it keeps growing with each new round of bloatware. Windows is one of the most compelling examples of feature creep, and Redmond remains in a constant state of denial. Adding features has stopped being a "solution" and has become a "problem", and Windows needs our attention as never before.
So... maintenance. The market is full of alternatives, but today I want to explore an option that reminds us of the first Windows cleaners, SCleaner. Instead of taking the user through multiple tabs and configuration menus, SCleaner presents all its functions at once, with a simple, distraction-free interface.
How to Clean Windows with SCleaner
SCleaner is divided into three categories: Must Clean, which contains temporary files, thumbnail cache, search histories, jumplists, and recent documents; Can Also Be Cleaned, which includes the recycle bin, icon cache, updates, prefetch data, and DNS cache; and finally For Advanced Users, with cleaning options for logs and error reports, memory dumps, and shell bags (window sizes, custom icon positions, etc.).
A click on Scan will give us a general report of what SCleaner can clean, and the Clean button takes care of purging our entire selection. In the configuration options, we only find four parameters: saving the selected items in the previous menu, setting English as the main language, checking for updates, and closing the application once the cleaning is done.
At the time of writing, SCleaner is at version 1.8. SCleaner depends on .NET Core to work, and includes links to download the exact build, without entering Microsoft's maze. If you want a lightweight and open-source cleaner for Windows, SCleaner will serve you well. Give it a try!
Official website and download: Click here. How to download programs from GitHub: Click here.
