CCleaner Installed Itself After Window Update, How?

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.

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.




If you want to use CCleaner, safely...

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.

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....




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).

Thanks!

@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

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.

@idahosurge

Easiest thing to do is re-install CCleaner, then use REVO to remove it, and make sure you do the "Scan" for leftovers, and delete them as well.



REVO... always gets his man, AND his buddies.