Published on: May 8, 2025
Short on time? Here’s the best PC cleaner in 2025:
- 🥇 Norton. Intuitive PC optimization tools that significantly improve system performance, plus a powerful antivirus scanner with real-time protection, a virtual private network (VPN) with no limitations, an excellent password manager, and much more.
I tested some of the most popular PC cleanup programs to find the best ones for improving a PC’s performance. I looked for programs that offer a variety of system cleanup and optimization tools, such as junk file and bloatware removal, software updaters, system speedup tools, gaming performance boosters, disk defragmentation, and more.
In my testing, I discovered that the best tools for speeding up and optimizing PCs are included in premium antivirus suites. These suites include specialized system tune-up features as well as malware scanners, which can remove malware, adware, PUPs (potentially unwanted programs), and other bloatware that can really slow down a PC.
My top choice is Norton 360, but the other products on my list are also good options. Whether you’re looking for an all-in-one internet security solution that can fully optimize (and protect) your system, or you just want a convenient and affordable antivirus solution with tune-up tools, you’ll find a program on my list that works for you.
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Best PC cleanup & optimization tools in 2025:
- 1.🥇 Norton 360 — Best overall PC cleaner & optimizer in 2025.
- 2.🥈 TotalAV — Convenient and easy-to-use tune-up tools.
- 3.🥉 McAfee — Quick cleanup tools.
- 4. Bitdefender — Simple, 1-click PC optimization.
- 5. Panda — Decent range of cleanup options.
- Comparison of the Best PC Cleaners in 2025.
- How to Choose the Best PC Cleaner in 2025.
- Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut.
- Frequently Asked Questions About PC Cleaners.
🥇 1. Norton 360 — Best Overall PC Cleaner & Optimizer in 2025
Norton 360 offers excellent device tune-up options as well as powerful real-time protections that can remove malware, PUPs, and adware — all of which can cause severe system slowdown. Norton’s optimization suite includes a startup manager, file cleanup, disk optimization, and graphs.
During my tests, the Startup Manager improved my PC’s startup time by stopping many programs from unnecessarily opening on startup — including OneDrive and my Spotify app. Program developers like to auto-enable the “launch on startup” function and make it hard to change this setting, so I like how quick and easy Norton has made it to fix this issue.
The disk optimization tool defragmented my disk in just a few minutes, and my PC ran more smoothly afterward. The file cleanup scan was really quick at identifying and removing junk files, but it didn’t delete browser cookies, unused programs, or duplicate files.
Norton’s Graph tool is a particularly helpful feature that enables you to see exactly what changes Norton is making on your device. It displays records including firewall notifications, malware scans, file cleanup, disk optimization, and more, in an easy-to-understand graph format.
Norton also has the best anti-malware engine on the market — it can detect all types of malware, including cryptojackers and spyware, which are frequently the reason behind slow-running devices. Luckily, Norton didn’t find any aggressive malware on my device during my tests, but it did detect and remove bloatware and PUPs that were slowing my PC down.
All of the Norton 360 plans include the full suite of cleanup and optimization tools. However, Norton 360 Deluxe is the best value — for $49.99 / year*, it covers up to 5 devices and includes the best antivirus on the market and all of the PC optimization tools, plus a huge range of other features, like parental controls and backup cloud storage. PC gamers should also check out Norton’s excellent gaming plan that optimizes gameplay and includes a powerful game booster (Norton is #1 on our list of the best gaming antiviruses in 2025). All of Norton’s plans come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Norton’s cleanup and optimization tools are helpful, easy to navigate, and will solve many performance issues in your PC. An additional benefit is that Norton has the best antivirus scanner in 2025, which will keep your PC safe from threats that can impact your security as well as your PC’s performance.
Read the full Norton review here >
🥈 2. TotalAV — Convenient & Easy-to-Use PC Cleanup Tools
TotalAV’s System Tune-Up feature is very effective at cleaning up cluttered computers and optimizing PC performance, and it’s incredibly user-friendly. The System Tune-Up interface is very simple, making it a great option for non-technical users who want to improve their computer’s performance. Each cleanup and optimization tool is compacted into one intuitive display, and it’s very easy to use each optimization feature.
TotalAV’s System Tune-Up includes the following features:
- Browser cleanup.
- Junk file cleaner.
- Startup manager.
- PUP removal.
- Application uninstaller.
- Duplicate file finder.
The browser cleanup removes web browser history and cookies from your system, which helps with performance as well as protecting your online privacy. TotalAV’s junk file cleaner and duplicate file finder were easy to use when I tested them, and they enabled me to clear a lot of space on my disk. The application uninstaller also made removing unwanted and unused programs from my computer really simple.
TotalAV also comes with a powerful malware scanner that is able to effectively detect a wide range of malware, including PUPs, bloatware, and adware. Getting these hidden files off your device can make a huge difference in system performance, plus it will protect you against security threats.
TotalAV’s antivirus suite also comes with a wide variety of additional useful features, such as a fast VPN, browser security tools, and excellent identity theft protections — all of which make TotalAV one of the best-value internet security programs on the market.
All of TotalAV’s paid plans include the same cleanup tools, but TotalAV Internet Security ($39.00 / year) is the best value plan — it covers up to 5 devices and provides system tune-up, real-time malware detection, a VPN, and more. All TotalAV plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
All of the tools on TotalAV’s System Tune-Up are really easy to use, and they all work really well — they significantly improved my PC’s memory, CPU speed, and even my browser’s privacy. TotalAV also offers excellent real-time anti-malware protection, which can detect and remove PUPs, adware, and malware files that can heavily impact system performance.
Read the full TotalAV review here >
🥉 3. McAfee — Quick Cleanup Tools & Web Performance Optimization
McAfee offers a decent selection of PC optimization tools, including junk filing cleaning and a website performance booster. While the optimization tools aren’t as advanced as the features offered by Norton or TotalAV, they still do a fairly good job of tidying your PC.
The junk file cleaner found over 3 GB of junk files on my PC and gave me the option to manage the detected junk files before choosing which files to remove — preventing me from accidentally deleting something important. It also offers a secure file shredder, which permanently deletes old files ensuring no one (including hackers) can access them using specialist file recovery software.
Web Boost is McAfee’s web performance extension that stops annoying video ads from auto-playing when you land on websites, which improves website loading times and reduces bandwidth usage. While I noticed a difference in website loading times, it would be better if Web Boost also blocked ads, web tracking, and social media tracking.
That said, McAfee’s malware scanner and web protections are excellent at protecting against malicious threats, like ransomware, trojans, spyware, and phishing sites. McAfee blocked virtually all of the malware samples on my PC, and it stopped all of the verified phishing sites that I tried to access during my tests, making it one of the most effective internet security programs available.
McAfee’s Total Protection plans start at $39.99 / year. They all include performance optimization tools, plus McAfee’s advanced malware scanner and real-time protection, identity monitoring, a password manager, and a VPN. All McAfee plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
McAfee offers a decent range of PC optimization features, including a good junk file cleaning tool. It also has excellent web protection as well as effective malware protection for a decent starting price. Plus, all McAfee plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. Bitdefender — Simple One-Click PC Cleanup Tool
Bitdefender’s OneClick Optimizer is a very simple cleanup tool, which was extremely effective at clearing out junk files in my tests. Bitdefender’s cleanup scan targets a wide range of items on your PC, including Windows junk files, temporary system files, browser history, broken registry items, and more.
The scan only took a couple of minutes and flagged almost 1.5 GB of files to delete on my device. After I deleted these files, my PC was noticeably faster and more responsive.
While the OneClick Optimizer works well, Bitdefender is lacking in some of the additional optimization tools that Norton and TotalAV offer, such as a startup manager and duplicate finder.
However, Bitdefender’s cloud-based malware scanner is one of the best on the market — it uses machine learning along with traditional signature-based scanning to provide excellent protection against all types of malware threats, including adware, spyware, and PUPs, which can really slow down your PC.
Bitdefender offers a variety of plans, but the OneClick Optimizer is only included in its premium plans, including Total Security and Premium Security. Total Security costs $54.99 / year, covers up to 5 devices, and comes with a huge number of additional security features. Premium Security includes all of Bitdefender’s features, including a VPN with unlimited data, and coverage for up to 10 devices for $64.99 / year.
Bottom Line:
Bitdefender provides fast PC cleanup and optimization and excellent antivirus detection. It’s incredibly easy to use, and it did a great job of clearing out junk files and speeding up my system. Its malware scanner is also one of the best around, instantly identifying adware files and PUPs that were slowing down my computer without my knowledge.
Read the full Bitdefender review here >
5. Panda Dome — Decent System Optimization
Panda Dome has a decent range of system cleanup and optimization tools that are pretty simple to use. These include a hard drive cleaner, a startup manager, and a drive defragmenter. There’s also the option to schedule a system cleanup on a regular basis, which can help you make sure your PC is always running smoothly.
The hard drive cleaner cleared more than 1 GB of space on my drive. It removed Windows temporary files, log files, and cookies, and it also made it easy for me to delete my browser history.
The startup manager helped me speed up my boot time. I could see all the programs that were set to launch at startup and then choose to disable any program I didn’t need. I also like that Panda’s startup manager notifies you every time a new program is installed and set to launch at startup, so you can immediately decide what to do with it.
The defragmenter defragmented my SSD drive fairly quickly, but I didn’t notice any improvements in my PC’s performance following drive defragmentation. That said, I did test this feature on a relatively new computer that’s already running pretty fast, so it will likely be more useful for users will older systems.
Panda Dome also has a good malware scanner and a wide range of additional tools. I really like Panda’s Rescue Kit which removes malware from heavily infected PCs, and I also appreciate that Panda comes with file encryption and shredding. On the other hand, I’m not a fan of Panda’s web protection (doesn’t block nearly as many phishing sites as Norton or TotalAV) and VPN (you only get unlimited data on the most expensive plan).
Panda has several affordable plans to choose from, starting at just $20.00 / year. All of the plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try them risk-free.
Read the full Panda Dome review here >
Comparison of the Best PC Cleaners in 2025
How to Choose the Best PC Cleaner in 2025
- System cleanup tools. This is a basic requirement for a PC cleaner — it must have effective cleanup tools to be worth your while. All the products on my list will clean your PC effectively.
- PC optimization. If you’re spending money on a PC cleaner, you want to know that your PC will run better after using it. All the brands on my list will improve your PC’s performance in various ways. Tools like disk defragmenters, which Norton offers, are great for getting your machine running more smoothly.
- Malware scanning. All of the products on my list include a malware scanner as well as PC cleanup tools. Malware detection and removal is a vital part of keeping your computer safe and running well, and top antiviruses like Norton have excellent advanced malware scanners.
- File management. The best PC cleaners can help you sort through individual files and also look at your wider system. TotalAV, for example, can detect and remove duplicate files from your computer.
- Ease of use. A good PC cleaner should be simple for everyone to understand and use. I only chose products that are intuitive and offer easy access to all their key features. TotalAV’s interface is particularly clean and beginner-friendly.
- Additional features. The PC cleaners on my list come as part of a comprehensive antivirus package, meaning that you get antivirus protection as well as PC cleaning tools. Norton offers the most full-featured internet security suite out there, with an excellent malware scanner, parental controls, an unlimited VPN, and much more.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Kaspersky. Kaspersky offers some decent cleanup tools for Windows PCs, but they’re pretty basic compared to what the brands on this list offer.
- Trend Micro. Trend Micro’s PC Health Check-Up claims to optimize your PC in 4 ways. However, when I tested it, I found it didn’t perform any better than the in-built Windows cleanup tools.
- Intego. Intego offers great optimization features with its Mac version, but it doesn’t yet offer optimization tools with its PC version.
PC Cleaners & Optimizers — Frequently Asked Questions
Do PC cleaners & optimizers really work?
Yes! PC cleaners and optimizers are great tools for computers with too many junk files, slow boot-up times, privacy-invading browser cookies, and unwanted programs. Advanced optimization programs like Norton can even boost system performance during gaming!
However, if your device is running really slowly, there’s a good chance it may be infected with malware. So it’s a good choice to get an antivirus program that includes PC cleanup tools, which — in addition to optimizing your device’s performance — can also remove dangerous malware files and annoying adware, spyware, and PUPs that can drain your disk space and hog CPU resources. My favorite PC cleaner that comes within an antivirus program is Norton.
Will a PC optimizer help my gaming experience?
Absolutely — gaming can place a big strain on CPU and RAM, so by using a PC optimizer you can ensure you minimize the amount of lag and slowdown you experience during gameplay. Norton is the best option for gamers — it comes with an excellent game booster feature that can optimize your disk usage and running processes to make your PC run faster during gaming.
Gamers are also a consistent target for malware attacks — so if you’re trying to keep your computer safe (as well as fast) while gaming, you should check out our list of the top antivirus programs for gamers in 2025.
Can a PC cleanup program fix my computer?
PC cleaners are a great and relatively inexpensive way to revive sluggish computers. Rather than throwing out an underperforming PC and buying a new one, it’s always worth trying a PC cleaner to remove junk files, optimize your hard disk, and improve CPU and RAM.
However, if your computer is severely malfunctioning, issuing unnecessary pop-ups, crashing a lot, or you have unusual programs running on your device, then you probably have a malware infection.
Companies like Norton provide cutting-edge antivirus protection along with PC optimizers to help your devices run more smoothly and remove any malware files that are doing damage to your system.
Are PC optimizer programs better than Windows’s optimization tools?
Windows offers some basic optimization features, like program uninstallers and disk defragmentation. But just as the Windows’ built-in antivirus scanner isn’t as good as third-party alternatives, Windows’ optimization tools are also nowhere near as good as other products on the market — Windows’ own tools can be difficult to locate in your settings (especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for), Windows doesn’t have scanners that can identify broken registry entries and junk files, and while Windows does allow you to decide which programs to include in your startup, it won’t help you identify which applications you need and which you don’t.
Third-party PC optimizers are great for doing all of these things, and they make all of their features easy to find in one program. TotalAV’s interface in particular is really clean and simple to navigate — plus, TotalAV offers a ton of different tune-up and optimization tools in addition to a full suite of internet security features.
