Chromebooks are becoming more and more popular thanks to lower prices and increased performance. There are a lot of people still asking; Does CCleaner work on Chromebook?
What is CCleaner?
CCleaner is the number-one tool for cleaning a Windows based PC. It protects your privacy and makes your computer faster and more secure.
CCleaner is developed by Piriform Software Ltd and was first released back in 2004. There are two versions available:
CCleaner Free
CCleaner Free is the standard version that frees up space, clears your online tracks and helps you manage your machine so it runs faster.
- Standard privacy protection
- Standard cleaning
CCleaner Professional
CCleaner Professional is Piriform’s best-ever version that combines all the features of Free with the power of automation, so your PC always stays clean, safe and fast.
- Standard privacy protection
- Standard cleaning
- Driver Updater
- Complete PC Health Check
- Updates apps to reduce security risks
- Complete cleaning
- Keeps your browsing history private
- Detects and removes internet trackers
- Keeps you from running out of space
- Priority customer support
Why doesn’t CCleaner work on a Chromebook?
CCleaner is primarily designed for Windows-based operating systems, such as Windows 10, 8, 7, and earlier versions. It is not compatible with Chromebooks, which run on Chrome OS, a Linux-based operating system developed by Google.
There are a few reasons why CCleaner doesn’t work on Chromebooks:
- Different Operating System: Chromebooks use a different operating system than Windows PCs. CCleaner is built specifically for Windows and relies on the underlying system architecture and file structure, which is different from Chrome OS.
- Limited File System Access: Chrome OS has a more restricted file system compared to Windows. It uses a sandboxed environment, which means that applications have limited access to system files and settings. CCleaner requires more extensive access to system files and registry entries, which is not possible on a Chromebook.
- Built-in Cleaning Mechanisms: Chrome OS includes its own built-in mechanisms for optimizing and maintaining the system. It has automatic updates, security features, and an efficient file management system that reduces the need for third-party cleaning tools like CCleaner.
CCleaner alternatives for Chromebook
There is currently one main alternative to CCleaner for Chrome OS:
Click&Clean
Click&Clean is a free solution that currently has over 1,000,000+ downloads. It will help you to delete the following on your Chromebook:
- Typed URLs
- Cache
- Cookies
- Download and browsing history
You may have noticed that the above features only target internet browser items. This is the same for most of which leads us into the following point…
Does a Chromebook really need to use a CCleaner alternative?
A Chromebook works differently to a traditionally Windows or Mac based system.
Chromebooks run Chrome OS. As a result they have smaller hard drives from around 32GB+ as they are intended to make the most of cloud features.
So they are inherently built different, the operating system works differently, and by using the cloud the footprint left on the physical device is a lot smaller. This means they require a lot less cleaning up.
Tips to speed up your Chromebook
If you feel like your Chromebook is slowing down or feeling bogged down, here are some quick tips on how you could improve performance:
- Change your default download location to a Google Drive folder
- Limit the amount of tabs you have open at once
- Disable and/or uninstall any unused extensions
- Uninstall any unused apps
- Install the latest updates (which is also wise from a security perspective!)
- The nuclear option: ‘Powerwash’ which is essentially a factory reset
Conclusion – Does CCleaner Work On Chromebook?
Overall there isn’t any program available for a Chromebook to match the functionality of CCleaner. However, research would show that due to how Chrome OS works differently and is mainly intended for ‘the cloud’, an alternative isn’t really necessary. If you want to optimize your Chromebook’s performance, you can utilize the built-in features of Chrome OS, such as clearing browser cache and history, managing extensions, and removing unnecessary files through the Files app.
If you follow some of the advice above you can keep your Chromebook operating smoothly with little effort.
And if you want to learn more about Chromebooks, please take a look at our guide: What is a Chromebook?
FAQ
This issue may not be due to the Chromebook itself. Firstly perform a speed test. Then check other settings such as your Google Drive Sync. You can also check your Internet speed with another device on your network.
With newer models offering enhanced performance and durability in 2021, you can expect anywhere from 4 – 5 years +
