The best CCleaner alternatives for Windows 11 are Storage Sense (built in and free) plus BleachBit (free and open source), which together cover everything CCleaner did without the baggage. CCleaner still runs on Windows 11, but its 2017 supply-chain compromise and aggressive registry cleaner turn many users off.
TL;DR
- Storage Sense is built into Windows 11, free, and the safest cleaner it only touches paths Microsoft marks disposable.
- BleachBit is the closest open-source successor to classic CCleaner, with a secure shred option.
- Wise Disk Cleaner offers the most CCleaner-like interface; PrivaZer goes deepest on privacy traces.
- Avoid any tool bundling a "PC accelerator," "driver updater," or paid "registry repair."
- Registry cleaners give no measurable benefit on modern Windows and can break installed software.
Storage Sense: the built-in, free option
Storage Sense ships with every Windows 11 install, so there is nothing to download. It clears temporary files, the Windows Update cache, old downloads, and the Recycle Bin, and it can run automatically on a schedule. To enable and configure it:
- Open Settings › System › Storage.
- Toggle Storage Sense to On.
- Click Storage Sense to open Configure cleanup schedules and set how often it runs and when to clear Downloads and the Recycle Bin.
This covers about 90% of everyday cleanup for free and is the safest cleaner you can run, because it only removes paths Microsoft explicitly designates as disposable.
BleachBit: the open-source CCleaner successor
BleachBit is the closest spiritual successor to early-days CCleaner free, open source, and inspectable. It cleans browser caches, application caches, logs, and temp files, and includes a "shred" option for secure deletion. Download it only from the official site, bleachbit.org. Notably, it has no registry cleaner that is a feature, not an omission, because registry cleaning on modern Windows does more harm than good.
Wise Disk Cleaner and PrivaZer: when you want more
If you miss CCleaner's look and feel, Wise Disk Cleaner (free) is the closest match, offering one-click cleanup across major browsers and apps, plus an optional, opt-in registry cleaner if you insist on one. If your priority is privacy, PrivaZer (free for personal use) goes deeper than CCleaner on traces secure deletion of free space, browser indexes, thumbnail caches, and jump lists. Its interface is busy, but the results are thorough.
How do the alternatives compare?
| Tool | Cost | Best for | Registry cleaner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage Sense | Free (built in) | Safe, scheduled everyday cleanup | No |
| BleachBit | Free, open source | Deep cache/log/temp cleaning + shred | No |
| Wise Disk Cleaner | Free | Closest classic CCleaner UI | Optional, opt-in |
| PrivaZer | Free (personal) | Deepest privacy-trace removal | No |
What should you avoid?
Steer clear of any cleaner that bundles a "PC accelerator" or "driver updater," and anything pushing a paid "registry repair" feature registry cleaners have no measurable benefit on Windows 10 or 11 and can break installed software. If you do keep CCleaner around, disable its "Smart Cleaning" background agent under Options › Smart Cleaning, since a background cleaner that runs unprompted is exactly the behavior you want to avoid.
Is it safe to use these cleaners?
Yes, when you stick to disposable data. Storage Sense and BleachBit only target caches, temp files, logs, and the Recycle Bin none of which contain your documents or installed programs. The risk lies in registry cleaners and "optimizers" that claim to repair Windows; those can remove keys real software depends on. The safe rule: clean caches and temp files freely, and leave the registry alone. For deeper context, see whether it is safe to compress the C drive to save space.
FAQ
What is the best free CCleaner alternative for Windows 11?
For most people it is Storage Sense, which is built into Windows 11 and free, paired with BleachBit for deeper cache and log cleaning. Together they replace CCleaner's core features safely.
Is CCleaner safe to use on Windows 11?
CCleaner still works, but its 2017 supply-chain incident and aggressive registry cleaner make safer alternatives preferable. If you keep it, disable the Smart Cleaning background agent and never use its registry cleaner.
Do I need a registry cleaner on Windows 11?
No. Registry cleaners provide no measurable performance benefit on Windows 10 or 11 and can break installed software by removing keys that programs depend on.
Does Windows 11 have a built-in cleaner?
Yes. Storage Sense, found under Settings › System › Storage, automatically clears temporary files, the update cache, old downloads, and the Recycle Bin on a schedule you control.
Want a native-only approach? Continue with deep cleaning Windows 11 and 10 without third-party utilities, free space with how to clear delivery optimization files and how to disable hibernation to save gigabytes of space, or understand the AppData folder and whether you can delete it. For broader cleanup workflows, browse the storage cleanup helpers hub.
For your phone, Cleanor for iPhone finds large videos, duplicate photos, and heavy caches in one on-device pass — nothing uploaded.