Kaspersky Cleaner

Kaspersky Cleaner aims to provide users with an all-in-one system cleaning and privacy protection software solution. Signed by a company that is more than popular in the cyber security sector, this application can perform computer cleanup while also comprising options for managing system and private browsing settings, as well as activity traces.

Users are greeted by a minimalistic interface with modern-looking icons that explain each function as the mouse cursor hovers over them. However, one does not even have to go through each module, unless they want to: a click on the ‘Start Scan’ button makes Kaspersky Cleaner clear temporary files, restore system settings, block personal data collection and remove cookies and the logged activity.

The identified issues are displayed, and another simple button enables users to grant Kaspersky Cleaner the permission to fix all the problems. For some changes to take effect, a computer restart might be required.

For users who want to address particular issues and who want to be aware of every change their computer might suffer, Kaspersky Cleaner displays a complete list of issues, ordered by importance and severity, which can be easily checked or unchecked.

For instance, it can delete temporary files and cached data, installation logs, recent documents and the Recycle Bin contents using ‘System Cleanup’.

It can take care of issues that might affect the computer’s functionality (such as invalid file associations), attempt to revert the settings that rendered system utilities (Registry Editor, Control Panel, Task Manager, Run, Search, etc.) or some settings (Windows Update. Printer settings) inaccessible. There are a plethora of options it comes with, so users will just have to take the time to go through all and check the ones they want to be repaired.

As far as private browsing is concerned, Kaspersky Cleaner includes options that can help users customize the controversial security settings in Windows 10. For instance, it can tamper with the Windows logging configuration to disable CEIP, Cortana, data collection, report sending, and telemetry settings.

Last but not least, Kaspersky Cleaner bundles functions related to clearing the search history, browser cookies, temporary folders, and Windows logs. In other words, it can erase any activity trace in an attempt to protect the user’s privacy.

With a variety of settings and functions, Kaspersky Cleaner promises to enhance the computer’s performance. It offers a simple way for tuning the privacy settings, which comes in handy especially for Windows 10 users.

Not that it is a drawback, but more of an inconvenience, there is a multitude of settings that users must navigate through without actually needing them. To be more specific, Kaspersky Cleaner displays options for various browsers and applications that might or might not be installed on the computer. One good suggestion would be to have Kaspersky Cleaner detect the installed applications and the OS version, and display options accordingly.