CCleaner Installed Itself After Window Update, How?


I

idahosurge

Well-known member
Member
Local time
1:12 PM
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57
OS
Windows 11
When I built my PC in March 2025 I installed CCleaner.

In November 2025 I uninstalled CCleaner using the Windows Control Panel app to uninstall programs.

Today I updated Windows 11 and after the PC rebooted into Windows here is CCleaner installed on my PC with a welcome back message and asking me to view what is new.

How did CCleaner install itself on my PC after I uninstalled it over six months ago?

Uninstalled again and made sure any CCleaner folder in any Windows 11 Program folder and under any App Data Local, LocalLow and Roaming folders were removed.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 119800X3DGSkill Flare DDR5 64GB @ 30-40-40-96 @ 6000 MHzAsus TUF OC Edition RTX 5080
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom
CPU
9800X3D
Motherboard
Asus Crosshair X870E Hero
Memory
GSkill Flare DDR5 64GB @ 30-40-40-96 @ 6000 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Asus TUF OC Edition RTX 5080
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung Odyessy G9 49" DQHD (VA Panel)
Screen Resolution
5120 * 1440
Hard Drives
Samsung 990Pro M.2 2280
PSU
Corsair HX 1000i
Case
Fractal Design Meshify 2XL
Cooling
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 140 Black
Keyboard
Corsair K100RGB
Mouse
Logitech G703
Internet Speed
1 GB
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
ESET NOD32
idahosurge said:
How did CCleaner install itself on my PC after I uninstalled it over six months ago?
Click to expand...


It may have been a leftover remnant from when you uninstalled it in November.
Most of us use REVO Uninstaller (free) when uninstalling things. It has a "scan" for leftovers button that will find all the leftovers after the uninstallation.

www.revouninstaller.com

Download Revo Uninstaller Free - Remove unwanted programs easily

Download Revo Uninstaller Free helps you to uninstall software and remove unwanted programs easily. Remove all uninstall leftovers and traces
www.revouninstaller.com



If you want to use CCleaner, safely...

My CCleaner Tweaks...

I use CCleaner 5.78 I installed it offline, and I blocked it and it's updaters in MY firewall. And... since it was purchased by Avast, I also "added" these lines to my HOSTS file (which "blocks" them)... C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\HOSTS...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8737 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2AMD Ryzen 7 3700XG.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8737 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5302)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1

  • At a glance

    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
  • Great Support
Reactions: OAT
Ghot said:
It may have been a leftover remnant from when you uninstalled it in November.
Most of us use REVO Uninstaller (free) when uninstalling things. It has a "scan" for leftovers button that will find all the leftovers after the uninstallation.
Click to expand...
Thanks, installed.

I ran this and it did not find anything, did I do the search correctly, see second picture.

Revo 1.webpRevo 2.webp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 119800X3DGSkill Flare DDR5 64GB @ 30-40-40-96 @ 6000 MHzAsus TUF OC Edition RTX 5080
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom
CPU
9800X3D
Motherboard
Asus Crosshair X870E Hero
Memory
GSkill Flare DDR5 64GB @ 30-40-40-96 @ 6000 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Asus TUF OC Edition RTX 5080
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung Odyessy G9 49" DQHD (VA Panel)
Screen Resolution
5120 * 1440
Hard Drives
Samsung 990Pro M.2 2280
PSU
Corsair HX 1000i
Case
Fractal Design Meshify 2XL
Cooling
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 140 Black
Keyboard
Corsair K100RGB
Mouse
Logitech G703
Internet Speed
1 GB
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
ESET NOD32
idahosurge said:
did I do the search correctly
Click to expand...


You're working way too hard.
Right AFTER you uninstall something via the Uninstall button at the top... it will do the uninstall and then the "Scan" button will pop up.

I believe only the paid version will hunt down leftovers way after the uninstallation.

So... reinstall CCleaner and then use REVO to uninstall it AND do the "Scan" for leftovers. :-)



Here, I installed Speccy, just so I could uninstall it and make this informative picture....

Image4.webp


NOTE: Depending on the program you're uninstalling...
REVO may find a 2nd set of leftovers, after deleting the normal leftovers. Delete those too.

The 1st set of leftovers are usually Registry leftovers. The 2nd set is usually File Explorer leftovers (if present).
 
Last edited:

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8737 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2AMD Ryzen 7 3700XG.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8737 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5302)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1

  • At a glance

    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
Thanks!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 119800X3DGSkill Flare DDR5 64GB @ 30-40-40-96 @ 6000 MHzAsus TUF OC Edition RTX 5080
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom
CPU
9800X3D
Motherboard
Asus Crosshair X870E Hero
Memory
GSkill Flare DDR5 64GB @ 30-40-40-96 @ 6000 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Asus TUF OC Edition RTX 5080
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung Odyessy G9 49" DQHD (VA Panel)
Screen Resolution
5120 * 1440
Hard Drives
Samsung 990Pro M.2 2280
PSU
Corsair HX 1000i
Case
Fractal Design Meshify 2XL
Cooling
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 140 Black
Keyboard
Corsair K100RGB
Mouse
Logitech G703
Internet Speed
1 GB
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
ESET NOD32
@idahosurge ,

Maybe I am missing something, but from your second picture, it seems you searched for "CCleander" rather than "CCleaner."

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro Version 25H2 (Build 26200.8655Intel i7-9700K 4700 MHz32 GB (4 x 8GB SK Hynix DDR4 @1333 MHz) (2666...NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6 GB) GDDR6 300 MHz
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro Version 25H2 (Build 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS8930 SE
    CPU
    Intel i7-9700K 4700 MHz
    Motherboard
    Dell XPS 8930
    Memory
    32 GB (4 x 8GB SK Hynix DDR4 @1333 MHz) (2666 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6 GB) GDDR6 300 MHz
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell UltraSharp U2518D 25"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    NVMe Intel 1024 TB
    Seagate 2 TB, SATA-III
    Western Digital Black 4TB
    PSU
    850 W Gold Standard
    Case
    Dell XPS 8930 Base (Special Edition)
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Dell 0G4D2W
    Mouse
    Dell MOCZUL
    Internet Speed
    Download 553 Mbps, Upload 686 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    ESET Smart Security Premium, plus Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    BIOS Version 1.1.31

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro Version 25H2 (Build 26200.8655)i7-9750H 4.5 GHz16 GB (2 x 8GB @ 1333 MHz) DDR4-2666 MHzNVIDIA GeForce 1650 4 GB GDDR5
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro Version 25H2 (Build 26200.8655)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 15 7590
    CPU
    i7-9750H 4.5 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell XPS 15 7590
    Memory
    16 GB (2 x 8GB @ 1333 MHz) DDR4-2666 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 1650 4 GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell XPS 15 7590, 15.6" InfinityEdge Anti-Glare, Non-Touch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 PCle NVMe SK Hynix
    PSU
    130W Power Adapter
    Case
    Dell XPS 15 7590
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Laptop
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Download: 400 Mbps, Upload: 203 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    ESET Smart Security Premium, plus Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    BIOS Version 1.35.0
@garioch7

Yep, we have to spell things correctly. :D

We know it was the dog that caught the misspell.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8737 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2AMD Ryzen 7 3700XG.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8737 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5302)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1

  • At a glance

    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
garioch7 said:
@idahosurge ,

Maybe I am missing something, but from your second picture, it seems you searched for "CCleander" rather than "CCleaner."

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil
Click to expand...
I went back and spelled it correctly and got the same result.

Thanks for pointing it out.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 119800X3DGSkill Flare DDR5 64GB @ 30-40-40-96 @ 6000 MHzAsus TUF OC Edition RTX 5080
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom
CPU
9800X3D
Motherboard
Asus Crosshair X870E Hero
Memory
GSkill Flare DDR5 64GB @ 30-40-40-96 @ 6000 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Asus TUF OC Edition RTX 5080
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung Odyessy G9 49" DQHD (VA Panel)
Screen Resolution
5120 * 1440
Hard Drives
Samsung 990Pro M.2 2280
PSU
Corsair HX 1000i
Case
Fractal Design Meshify 2XL
Cooling
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 140 Black
Keyboard
Corsair K100RGB
Mouse
Logitech G703
Internet Speed
1 GB
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
ESET NOD32
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