CNET Editors' review
If you're looking for a single-point method of cleaning up Internet history files, temporary files, cookies, and more, this nice freeware tool may suit your needs.
Advanced Privacy Cleaner provides a lot of functionality from a simple, elegant, easy-to-navigate, and clearly labeled interface. This free app lists six categories of items to clean: Windows Histories, Program Histories, Browser History, Cookies, Messengers, and Plugins. Windows Histories included Run Command, Find File, Start Menu, Recent File, Task Scheduler Log File, and other similar areas. Each category offered a similarly full listing of items to clear or leave intact. We liked that Advanced Privacy Cleaner had an option for backing up the Registry before cleaning and had flexible options for scheduling cleanings, cleaning on start-up, and shutting down or restarting your system after cleaning.
This freeware app performed very well in our tests, responding quickly and executing its commands in a very short period of time. It was easy to use, making it a great tool for novices and experienced users.
Publisher's Description
From Retina-X Studios:
Advanced Privacy Cleaner allows you to regain your computer's privacy with ease. This simple freeware tool cleans six different categories of tracks with a single click. The program deletes only the types of tracks you select, leaving others in tact. After your tracks are clear, your privacy will be more secure and your browser will run much faster.
What's new in this version: This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 17 votes
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Current version:
3.1 starsout of 17 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"WARNING - HARMFUL PROGRAM!!!"
Version: Advanced Privacy Cleaner 1.1
Pros
It cleans.
Cons
Before running this, I checked all appropriate boxes for my preferences. Many of my Firefox settings were changed and all of my passwords were completely wiped out. I NEVER selected anything for deleting passwords or changing any browser settings.
Summary
STAY AWAY from this program if you don't want to spend a great deal of time putting your browser settings back to your preference. There are too many other effective programs that are efficient and will not perform unauthorized activity.
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"Dangerous Stuff. Stay Away"
Version: Advanced Privacy Cleaner 1.1
Pros
Considering what it can do do wipe out all your Start Menu shortcuts, and not explaining that this can happen. There are no pros for this program.
Cons
If you have pinned programs to your Start Menu, this little gem of a program will totally wipe them out. The solution to getting them all back is to do a system restore.
Summary
This program can really do some weird stuff to your computer. As stated in the cons, Advanced Privacy Cleaner will literally wipe out all your Start Menu shortcuts--the things that you pin to the Start Menu to make your life easier.
Using this program wiped out everything I had pinned which included the calculator, wordpad, notepad and a bunch of other apps I frequently use. Since the program doesn't even warn you about this, unless you know what you are doing, you won't be able to pin anything else to your Start Menu because it wipes out this function as well.
I got all of my Start Menu shortcuts by just doing a simple system restore. But because of this experience with this software, I cannot and would not recommend it to anyone. -
"Cleans throughly, but a little too good"
Version: Advanced Privacy Cleaner 1.1
Pros
Seems to clean as described
Cons
If "Clear Start Menu History" is checked, you lose the recently used programs
list permanently. To fix this, run regedit to edit your XP registry.
Search for NoInstrumentation or NoStartMenuMFUprogramsList
If you find them, set their value to 0.Summary
Useful but use with caution
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"that's what i call cleaning"
Version: Advanced Privacy Cleaner 1.1
Pros
gets rid of everything, my pc sure runs sweeter now
Cons
nothing wrong with this so far
Summary
love it
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"A BIG BUT..."
Version: Advanced Privacy Cleaner 1.1
Pros
Small in size and it DOES CLEAN VERY WELL...
Cons
SO MUCH SO THAT NOW THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS ON MY START MENU....And I have not been able to solve the problem. I have tried Windows Help, and Windows 7 forums. So, I think I will have to restore Windows to a previous date.
Summary
I would check the default settings before using the application. The mistake I made was not to check them because apps usually are already setup to be used safely.
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"very very good a must have download it now!"
Version: Advanced Privacy Cleaner 1.1
Pros
really deep clean, so easy to use
Cons
none! none! none!
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"Very Good Cleaner"
Version: Advanced Privacy Cleaner 1.1
Pros
Easy to use, nice layout
Cons
I couldn't find anything wrong with it
Summary
Worth serious consideration
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"CAUTION-Not for beginners......."
Version: Advanced Privacy Cleaner 1.1
Pros
Appears to be a very good utility if only it came with better understanding what each of the applications are for;their plus,minus,good ,bad,use if,don't use if.
Cons
There are no default settings and if you go check all the boxes and run the utility then you could harm your computer and delete commands/folders and other items that are important to you OS.
Summary
No default settings.Not for novices but experienced.So I would advise caution and look for another privacy cleaner like CCleaner,Glary Utilities,or Advanced System Care. I'm disappointed.
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"help!!!!1 cnet download.com"
Version: Advanced Privacy Cleaner 1.1
Pros
this cleaner thing wiped out everything
well not excatly
but all my start up icons a vanished please tell me how 2 get it bakCons
stupid this cleaner thing wiped out everything
well not excatly
but all my start up icons a vanished please tell me how 2 get it bakSummary
this cleaner thing wiped out everything
well not excatly
but all my start up icons a vanished please tell me how 2 get it bak -
"The openning Screen was never correct."
Version: Advanced Privacy Cleaner 1.1
