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When it comes to Windows, maintenance is critical. If you don't take care of your system you'll regret it later. Your computer will slow to an eventual crawl and you'll get frustrated. All this can be avoided by installing a tool like BleachBit. I'm quite aware of CCleaner. I am also aware dotTech has reviewed it in the past, but in this review, I'm going to make the case as to why BleachBit is just as good.
Main Functionality
BleachBit is an open source, cross platform system cleaning tool. It cleans temp files, browser history, browser cache, browser cookies, logs, and more. It can do deep scans of your system and the data on your harddrive to clean it. BleachBit can also shred files, rewrite free disk space, and even has a command line interface.
BleachBit works on Windows and Linux. We specifically reviewed the Windows version here.
- Cleans temp files, privacy traces, and more
- Has features that increase system performance (e.g. decreasing the size of Firefox's, Chrome's, and Thunderbird's database
- Supports cleaning of all major browsers (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Opera, and Safari) plus over 100 other programs (see list to the right)
- If you want support for more programs, developer constantly adds support for more programs via an optional winapp2.ini file, a list that is 1200+ programs strong
- Has an integrated file shredder (aka secure deleter)
- Can overwrite free disk space to hide previously deleted items
- Easy usability
- Has a command line interface that allows BleachBit to be automated with scripts
- Cross-platform — works on both Windows and Linux
- Open-source
- Is portable
- Underwhelming user interface
- No registry fixing tool
- Can sometimes run slowly when doing heavy cleaning
In the introduction to this review I brought up CCleaner. I used to be really enthusiastic towards CCleaner, but as it has grown popular and the installer comes bundled with crapware (Ask Toolbar, Google Chrome, etc.). Of course there is a 'Slim' crapware-less version of CCleaner and there is a portable version that doesn't have the toolbar, but I just cant handle that kind of thing.
That's probably why I'm so interested in BleachBit. It's open source, community driven, to the point and powerful — with no crapware. I don't have to deal with that kind of thing with BleachBit. I really appreciate how the program is open source, and another bonus is that I can also run BleachBit on my Linux systems.
The BleachBit feature that stands out the most in my mind would be the 'file shredder'. I really like how this works and I really appreciate how the developer cares a lot about user privacy. System privacy is important, so it's nice to see a tool that can take care of that sort of thing for you. An honorable mention would be the command line interface. I've already started writing scripts for my Windows machines to make this whole process of cleaning a little bit more seamless.
I didn't have too many problems with BleachBit, but there were some. The user interface was really basic and not very attractive, but that's a criteria I place in my reviews because I think that design is just as important as function. Another issue I have with BleachBit is the lack of registry fixing. That's something that CCleaner has, and it's a pretty decent feature. I hope that in the future the developer will add this to the Windows version. It's really important.
BleachBit is a very humble cleaning program that I came to enjoy. I've already replaced CCleaner with BleachBit on my Windows machines and have installed BleachBit on my Linux systems. And Since the developer is always promising new features I'm pretty excited to see what it has in store next.
If you're not really a CCleaner person and you just want to try a new cleaning program out, do yourself a favor and grab BleachBit. It's a great application, one that deserves a lot more recognition that it currently gets. BleachBit is a must have in my opinion.
Price: Free
Version reviewed: 0.95
Supported OS: Windows and Linux
Download size: 6MB (Windows version)
VirusTotal malware scan results: 2/46
Is it portable? Yes
Leave a Reply
22 comments
Trev (Down Under)
[@Ashraf] ….probably because you already have Chrome installed on your computer. ; )
Andrew Ziem
Derrik: Thank you for the review.
You mentioned "I really appreciate how the developer cares a lot about user privacy." There are some subtle ways this is implemented. For example:
1. Before opening hyperlinks in a web browser (for example, to view info about the new release), BleachBit prompts to user to verify that is what he wants to do.
2. BleachBit has a "self cleaning" option to shred its own settings (found in the file menu).
3. BleachBit stores minimal usage history, such as not remembering the last time it checked for updates: in other applications, you can figure out when the last time someone used the application was by checking this information.
4. I've wanted to survey users (anonymously) to find out what the most popular options are and how much space is recovered. This could help guide future development, but I think users value their privacy.
5. Likewise, it would be nice to have the money from bundling toolbars, etc., but I haven't for the same reasons.
Along the lines of privacy and transparency, BleachBit is clear (through the preview or CleanerML XML files) what files and registry entries will be deleted.
@ Ashraf: I fail to see how questioning the reviewer over his statement is being a jerk. I've actually been visiting this site since 2009. And although not a regular commenter, I watched it grow and flourish for a few years and then … well … take a nose dive. It's good to see that things are starting to improve with some decent program reviews, but calling someone a jerk for questioning something that has been written is uncalled for. Unlike your comment, at no point did I stoop to any personal gibes. That is low – about as low as this site has become, unfortunately.
David Roper
[@David Roper]
Open source… apparently I cannot spell either. Only math is left for me.
David Roper
I completely missed the Opensource part. Those kinds are my favorites because they cannot die because there's no company.
To me, a portable, no source program is heaven.
You're right, Derrik did a fine job. I can't read.
David Roper
Thanks every so much for informing us of Speccy. New to me. It's so clean and well laid out and gives great specs of my Machine.
Sure, if you download the regular download of CCleaner or any other of Piriforms software, yes it can come with some toolbar or whatever ( they need to make money some way). Looks like you don't know that Piriform allows a "Slim" installer to be downloaded as well.
This Slim installer is just the software alone and not bundled with anything else. You can find any of Piriforms software they offer with slim installers ( no crapware) on the softwares build page.
CCleaner – Slim (bottom one)
Defraggler – Slim (bottom one)
Recuva – Slim (bottom one)
Speccy – Slim (bottom one)
Now seeing is that I have shown you the piriform software without any crapware what do you have to say about CCleaner now?
This is a bit of old news. BleachBit has been around for quite some time. It's also less conservative than CCleaner, so there's a greater chance that an inexperienced user can harm their system.
David Roper
"Just as good as CCleaner" is not a justified reason for changing. CC works very well, and for years, no reason to change just for change's sake.
(cons): "No registry fixing tool"
While reading the start of this article, I was asking myself, and looking for the answer, "sounds OK… but can I forbid that this program screw around with my registry".
Got to your "cons" and was excited to see the above.
Needless to say, I disagree with you that is belongs as "cons".
When it comes to registry, it has been my long-held and firmly-held opinion that registry cleaners can be good, but use only one or two. I use IObit almost exclusively, and occasionally scope out how things are going with CCleaner. Individuals may like others, but those are what I use. I will not allow any other screwing around with the registry other than what I do by hand… very carefully and keeping good notes!
I'd put "No registry fixing tool" in a category "Good Information", rather than as "Pro" or "Con".
PS – I don't mind your warnings about "crapware" – whether it comes from the author or the distributor is irrelevant.
Thanks for the review Derrik.
BleachBit is actually an effective program and i'm using it from time to time complementarily to others.
Oh, so that's what you meant by "riddled with crapware". Yeah, it's positively riddled alright. Funny thing is, I just downloaded it from Piriform and got no such prompt. Not that it matters – your statement was unwarranted.
So you downloaded CCleaner from some dodgy site that apparently has the ability to modify and repackage the installer and then made a blanket statement dismissive of that program? It wasn't that you weren't clear; just ill-informed. If you're going to do product reviews – particularly that involve references to a high-quality program that has a good reputation – then please check your facts first.
Care to elaborate then on what exactly you mean by crapware?
CCleaner – riddled with crapware? What rubbish.


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Gear Review
Judith Levy
The allrounder
I own multiple dry bags and love this one because of its sturdiness. My siliconized nylon ones, I am always a little hesitant to put outside my backpack or throw around in a canoe because they might tip. This tough material is really abrasion resistant and therefore I strap it outside of my pack if needed. The loops are perfect for holding it in place. I also used it to strap it on my bike rack on top of the panniers. I chose the bright orange color that makes it easy to find in camp.
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