Why you should avoid third-party PC cleanup tools and what to do instead

Summary

This article warns users against relying on third-party PC cleanup tools (like CCleaner, CleanMyPC, etc.) to free up storage space. It explains that these tools often cause more harm than good by deleting important files (cache, temp files, browser data) that actually improve performance, and can even break applications or system functionality. The article provides safer, manual alternatives for cleaning up storage, including using built-in Windows tools like Disk Cleanup, Storage Sense, uninstalling unused apps, clearing temporary files manually, and managing large files. It emphasizes that modern Windows and macOS systems manage storage efficiently on their own, and that aggressive cleaning can degrade performance rather than improve it.