Webroot Window Washer 6.5 - 4 Free ( Outdated )
Hi friends!
We’re using today - for this HF - the … plan C.
Yep! The two alternatives we’ve had initially prepared have serious problems ( one was actually closed down after only 3 registration trials )
So you’ll have to excuse the fact that we will not draw any conclusion on the today’s find, since we did not try it enough.
As usual we’re welcoming the newcomers on 4 Free! Please enjoy our working community. We hope most of our readers have noticed the latest solutions we have found to increase the site’s interactivity:
- How To Comment The Promoted Softwares ?
- Highlighted Comments - Infos Or Reviews Coming From The Community
About Webroot Window Washer 6.5 ( $ 29,99 ) we can tell you that it is a system cleansing and optimisation tools ( wich basically washes away all traces of your PC and Internet activity and improve system performance ) coming from a serious software developer like Webroot, known mainly for his security solutions.
Note that, though not very well appreciated in the Matousec test but a quite popular product, the Webroot Desktop Firewall ( formerly $ 19,95 ) is now FREE.
The positive aspect of this promotion would be the fact that one gets for free the latest version ( and build ).
.
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Features and benefits according to the developer:
Windows Vista Compatible
Extensive Wash Areas - Window Washer scrubs hundreds of areas on your PC to remove unnecessary files to ensure your privacy and free up valuable disk space.Browser Activity Eraser - Window Washer cleans all aspects of your browser activity, including Internet history, address bar, cache, cookies, and more. Firefox users now enjoy the same online privacy protection that users of Internet Explorer, AOL and Netscape already enjoy.
Permanent Bleaching - Bleach, an encryption feature, completely overwrites files with random characters to make them unrecoverable. This feature is so powerful it exceeds the tough standards of the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency.
Free Space Cleaner - Free space on your computer contains portions of old and previously deleted files and documents. Window Washer now cleans this area making the files you deleted earlier permanently unrecoverable.
One-click Shredder - Window Washer lets you simply and conveniently shred a folder and all of its contents, or just a single file, in one step. Just a simple right-click will permanently overwrites these files, making them unrecoverable.
Critical File Protection - Window Washer includes built-in safety features to help prevent you from accidentally removing important files. Alerts prompt you to confirm your request to delete special folders, like system folders, My Documents, My Photos, and others, so they remain safe from unintentional deletions.
Smart Cookie Saver - Window Washer deletes the cookies you don’t want and lets you keep and save those you do. That way you maintain your preferred Internet settings and log-ins for all your favorite sites.
Flexible Washes - During a wash, Window Washer automatically cleans the latest versions of your favorite programs such as Microsoft Office, Google Search Toolbar, iTunes, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat and hundreds more, to keep these programs running smoothly.
Automatic Wash Cycles - You can set Window Washer to automatically clean your system at specified intervals, like at shut down or start up. For added security, we recommend setting Window Washer to wash when you close your Internet browser.
Total System Erase - Window Washer can be set to fully erase your hard drive, files, programs and operating system for easy re-formatting. Consider using this feature if you’re donating or selling your PC and you don’t want your files to be seen by strangers.Expert Customer Support - Webroot Window Washer is backed by knowledgeable and friendly customer support technicians to help you through any issues you encounter. Unlike many of our competitors, we offer online and phone support absolutely FREE.
Minimum System Requirements
Windows Vista*, 2000, or XP
266 Mhz processor
5 MB hard drive space
64 MB RAM
Supports Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla, Firefox and AOL
*Compatible with Vista 32-bit operating system
How to grab this software for free ?
Just go to this promotion page and download the 3,68 Mo installer.
www.computeractive.co.uk/webroot/index
( copy and paste in your browser )
Run the installer and that’s it! Registration is not required.
Of course there are so many good free alternatives, starting with CCleaner for the cleaning tool and the free promotions for O&O SafeErase 3 or iolo DriveScrubber for the eraser part.
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Since we’ve had not enough time to try this software, we hope we’ll have a few more details in the comments from below. 
Thank you !
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Just downloaded this and it works fine.Thanks for this.
1 point
Thank you for the fast feedback!
Awesome, thank you everyone.
1 point
Glad it’s useful ! … If you say so
I knew about this promotion for quite some time and thought that you would have known too. Here’s how I found about this and the XXXX I suggested recently.
XXXX
2 points
Hi!
You will laugh but we did not find it that way.
Congrats ! Smart move.
There are a few others with a different algorithm.
Regards!
Great find, i am very exited about this great software.
1 point
Hi! I’m very glad to hear that!
Nice!!!!! Thanks 4 free I’m sure you guys at 4 free already know about this promo but here’s the link just in case you haven’t seen it yet XXXXXXX
P.S The only thing i really don’t like about window washer is it seems to stay running in the background on task manger even when you close it out maybe there’s a way to turn that off but i can’t seem to find out how if anyone knows how too please share thank you
2 + 2 = 4 points
Hi!
That promo is quite popular but we appreciate your will to share.
Thank you!
If I’m not wrong you can kill the process with Process Explorer from Syntersals
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx
… But this is not a permanent solution. It should probably be removed from the startup .
Have you tried it ?
Greetings,
There are going to be many comparisons to the excellent ccleaner and I have been using this and ccleaner for a while and can recommend both programs. The main advantage of this offering, to me at least, is the fact that it can be configured to wash the machine at varying times via the scheduler or when the internet browser is closed etc.
Great software and an excellent find - many thanks to all concerned.
Peace Y’all
JBR
2 points
Thank you for the fast feedback!
HI,
So I checked it and can share few things that I don’t like..
Then Bad..
)
Washing (:P) doesn’t allow to first check what will be deleted, it just removes it. Thanks to that I was not able to compare results with CCleaner (I run it after Washer and it found 26kb
Takes more time to clean up than CCleaner.
But as there always are good things..
Good for us.
The Good..
Program profiles, and a lot of them, if these work as expected its great addition for all software maniacs
In overall if You’re still using CCleaner just stick with it.. (I don’t find free space clean as useful as reg clean in CC)
Cheers!
3 points
Thank you for the fast feedback Seb!
Flawless download/installation.I used to run the paid version of Webroot’s SpySweeper w/ Antivirus-one day during a version update I got the firewall free(it was paid at the time)A couple months later,during a version upgrade,they threw me this utility-sweet,right? Until it came time to renew-WOW-no break on the security at all-only ten bucks of Window Washer,and the firewall had since become free(it has been for @ 1 year FYI) So I went back to CCleaner and good old AntiVir(which handles spyware/malware now) I did like this utility,but not enough to shell out twenty bucks for it.I am Not trashing Webroot here So,as in my last post,and now once again,thanks for software that I wouldn’t be able to afford!! Any info on the “ones that got away”?-just curios
2 points
Hi Chuck!
Hi guys. Thanks for the find. The prog seems to do a reasonable job of cleaning although it just goes in and cleans when you click the button without telling you whats it’s about to remove so be careful if you’re just testing it out! I think CCleaner is hard to beat for this type of job as it’s safer to use and has more features. There’s loads of other free tools which i dare say do just as good a job as this. Would have been $30 for 1 year!!! Oh dear me….
2 points
Hi! It sounds very logical, what you’re saying.
Thank you!
I used to use an older version of this many years ago, but it started to conflict with something else on my machine so I moved on to try other products. I have used CCleaner for some time now and have always been impressed with its efficiency and with the fact that it just works as it should. Nevertheless I was interested to see how it compared to Webroot. Having set Webroot up as closely as possible to CCleaner I ran it, and then ran CCleaner immediately afterwards. CCleaner found nothing. I still need to do the same test in reverse. I then added in some custom items and here some differences showed up. No matter how I entered the details into Webroot it would delete the custom files but leave the directory structure intact, whereas CCleaner would remove the empty directories as well (which is what I want). Maybe I need to play some more with setting it up. Webroot also seemed to take longer to complete its run. Will I be abandoning CCleaner? No. Will I continue to give Webroot a chance? Probably.
3 points
Interesting! Thank you!
Hi,
I have used WW for several years, and find it to be excellent. I have always had it on my computer, last upgrade was for vista patch.
Great find thanks guys
1 point
Hi Stephen! Glad you like it!
Hit options,program settings,untick load window washer on startup and tick shut down window washer after a wash.
2 points
Thank you!
This should be for Chris, if I’m not wrong.
Nice. I like it but I will never use it on Windows 7 even released for 7. btw, THANK YOU. I will save it for vista n xp.
1 point
Thank YOU!
Love these “clean up” programs and can’t wait to compare it to the handful I already have and use regularly. Looks like it could be a worthwhile addition to my collection. Thanks again guys!
1 point
Thank YOU!
I currently use CCleaner but this offers a few features I kind of want to try, so IF I get a chance I am going to give it a shot. I have just been so pressed for time everything I want to play with keeps getting put on hold in order to make time for the work that has to be done, lol. You guys don;t make it easy either, and my fun list keeps getting longer and longer with all the goodies you keep finding for all of us, rofl.
Jamey
1 point
Hi Jamey!
( I think I have misspelled your name before. Sorry ! )
Hi guys!
I appreciate the effort but I will always stick to the reliable CCleaner!
Thank you anyway!
1 point
Good resolution Kyky !
Thanks for this
It reminds me greatly of Total Privacy. I had got Total Privacy 5 and CCleaner now, but each of them, plus this one seem to each have a feature or features the other 2 are missing. I guess 3 ( OK, I admit, a few more) is too much to keep, but it will be hard to decide!!!!
Maybe someone with lots more of experience could compare the combinations
2 points
Yup! A compairaison would be great.
Cheers!
Hi guys!
A keeper for me! It does not have the registry tool from CCleaner but the extras are really interesting.
Thanks a bunch!
1 point
Glad you like it Gaby!
As previous comments have stated it seems to do a reasonable job of cleaning and as i have not cleaned the system for a while managed to save me an embarrassing amount of space. Running CC after, it found an additional 519 MB. The advantages seem to be that you have a file eraser in built and that you can schedule the wash. So if you have any concerns you can leave it running and wash every 15 minutes. The concern is that it washes without any indication of what is being removed. I guess it’s a useful product for those people who don’t have alternatives or feel it necessary to clean on a regular basis.
2 points
The feedbacks are rather positive.
Thank you Andy!
Too bad it will not run in 64 bit OS which my system has to be
but thanks for the heads up, I will recommend this to some friends using the X86 versions of Vista!
1 point
Hi! It’s true the free promotions for 64 bit OSs are very rare. At least for the moment.
Your turn will come, don’t worry!
Hi everyone
I am a bit worried to use this version after reading user’s response here:
http://download.cnet.com/Webroot-Window-Washer/3640-2144_4-10746362.html?sb=3
See and decide for yourself
This however is about this product’s version.
Thanks 4 Free for your wonderful info and frequent promos.
3 points
Hi!
Very good to know! ( although the best way is to test yourself, after taking all possible security measures of course )
Thank YOU very much!
Nice find. Thanks!
1 point
Hi Stephen!
I’m currently using ccleaner (already mentioned a few times), but also use “Advanced SystemCare Free v3″ (free edition, from iobit). It cleans, optimizes, repairs registry, Hard drive Defragmentation, etc… With the click of a button. Also has other options (but those open in a seperate window and are not really integrated) like removing items that start with windows, scan for invalid shortcuts, registry Defragmentation, and a few others…
2 points
Hi! iobit ASC is a very good tool indeed. ( though you’ll find controversies even in his case )
Thanks for recommending it!
Hi Guys.I was going to pass on this but curiosity got the better of me and no registration was required.I set up a custom install and asked it not to install on start up but it did anyway.(This annoyed me)I did a quick comparison with CCleaner.Running WW first, it equalled CC in terms of cleaning except that CC found a number of cookies (15kb) that WW failed to clean.WW was much slower than CC too.I think the ‘Critical File Protection’ is an overstatement as most programs warn you if you are about to remove a file.Overall,I will stick to CC for general clean up purposes and the excellent O&O SafeErase for secure file deletion.
3 points
Very logical. Thank you!
Thank you, I have got it. Like Kyky, I will continue to use my CCleaner. But I think one thing misses in CCleaner that it only deletes the temporary files of the user who logged on and used the CCleaner. It does not touch the temporary files of the other users and there is no setting to turn on even if the logged on user has administrative rights.
Thanks for all the efforts.
3 points
Hi! Interesting aspect of CCleaner.
Thank you!
Hi guys!
It looks good but I don’t know what to say. I did some trials but the results are not very reliable since everything depends on the settings on both cleaners.
I’ve used it after a 76 Mo cleaning with CCleaner and it found other 12 Mo junk files.
I then restored the system and used CC after the Washer . The Washer found only 70 Mo and CC other 18 Mo ( logical ).
My conclusion: it can be useful on my system and I very much like the scheduler part. The bleach tool looks innovative and the shredder and eraser are an asset for me, as I have never used this kind of tools ( shame on me ! )
It works flawlessly for the moment. A keeper, unless it will show me some hidden bugs.
Thank you!
3 points
Thank you for the feedback Gwen!
no option to download,promotion has ended.davy
Hi ! Are you sure ?
It’s working as writing this answer.
hi guys !
Well i am using Ccleaner.
Got this one a few days back ! and i tried this one as i am an user of Webroot Spysweeper.
pros
1)Free Space Cleaner is very good.Cleans unused HD areas and
recovers disk space.
2)The bleaching is bit slow, but its good.
3)It doesn’t install anything on your PC (webroot is good at that).
4)The user interface is simple and good.
cons
1)First of all it doesn’t support all browsers(chrome,opera).
2)It is very slow, when compared to Ccleaner. Ccleaner is a clear
winner here.
3)Well it didn’t cleaned my temp files fully.(Ccleaner is very good)
I tried 3 times; but the result is same.I dont know did it happened
to me alone.
So in my opinion Ccleaner is good.We can go for WWW 6.5, if you like free space cleaner and bleaching options !!
bye
4 points
Thank you for the interesting feedback, Mayur!
Hey, I hope I’m not missing something! We’ve had this from our sources and - if I’m not wrong - you did not give us this one. ( you say you’ve already gotten it )
If somehow we have missed your notification, of course we’ll apologize imediately and co-credit you. You know it’s a pleasure for us to credit the friends who are sharing the found promotions.
Tell us here or by mail, please.
Regards!
Hi everyone!
I just want to thank to all sharing their infos or knowledge in their comments. I’m learning a lot from this site.
Congratulations to 4 Free Team for their achievement in growing a beautiful community!
Cheers!
1 point
You are too kind Sandra!
Thank YOU for participating !
Nice find but not downloading it as I have way too many system cleaning programs. I formatted my PC few days ago following a bad virus infection and I have decided to keep only Advanced Windowcare and Tuneup utilities, among the swiss army knife type of apps. I found them to be reliable on my system, no crashes, no slowdowns and I can closely monitor the options, so my system does not get messed up.
Freeware alternatives: As mentioned above, Ccleaner is highly recommended for junk file cleaning, and I also use a software called PureRa that does a nice job of cleaning other stuff (like old windows update installers, frees up a good load of space). Only thing is you have to be careful with what you choose to delete as there is no recovery function. Other good ones are Glary utilities and Easycleaner from Toniarts. They seem to do a good job without messing the system up much. For Privacy protection, Nirsoft Cleanafterme is perfect for eliminating traces of your PC use from any computer. No installation, just need to run it after you use it. Useful when using cafes or public PCs.
Detailed reviews of good freeware are mentioned here (along with 4 free site) http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-pc-tune-up-utility.htm
I would be careful with Comodo’s cleaner though. I tested it once and it managed to thoroughly and completely remove my network drivers and I lost my net connection. Only for advanced users who know what they are doing.
As with any system cleaner, each works different with every system, what works for everyone may not work for you, so exercise caution, a bit of common sense, and finally use what your system runs well with. And most important, backup regularly.
My system specs: Vista Home Ultimate 32 bit, HP lappie and I use Sandboxie and Returnil to test software as I am lazy to learn VM.
Cheers and sorry to hear about the other hot finds! The changes to the site look good and are indeed very helpful..Good work guys!
5 points
Thank YOU!
P.S. I have never used a disk wipe utility. I have a freeware called Eraser sitting unused on my PC and I know Ccleaner does it too. I never used either, therefore, I refrain from commenting on the usefulness of such things.
Just to say Hi …
thanks again
1 point
Hi Dusan !
How are your summer holidays ?
After reading some of the comments in here and in Scarlet’s provided link to cnet, I’ll pass this on and stick to my old and faithful CrapCleaner for day to day cleaning, and one of the others for a deeper cleaning ( I’ve got at least 5 very good of them, like Glary, Ashampoo, Maestro, TuneUp, Advanced).
2 points
Yup! That’s a good list of utility softwares, I must admit!
me again,there is still no download button below where it says download button below.and i have been to specsavers.davy
1 points
Hey Davy!
I’ve said nothing about specsavers ( I wouldn’t dare )
I know where’s the problem: please deactivate ( unblock ) any addon ( script ) blocker you’re using in your browser. This should work! ( I see the download button right now - and it’s functional of course )
I can personally see the DL with Adblock active on Firefox. It should be No Script if you use it on Firefox.
… Or any other similar script blocker on another browser. IF NOT : simply try another browser.
Good luck!
Hi guys, thanks again for today´s offering. I must agree with Mayur though, CCleaner works better for me. Dan
1 point
Hi! This software has the bad luck to compete with one of the best freewares ever: CCleaner .
Thank you!
got it,pasted into wrong place.thanks mate.davy
1 point
I’m glad it’s solved!
Hi !
Couldn’t use HF 18 (I have Vista) and not sure after reading comments that I want to try this one. It sounds like a bit much for me since I’m not that familiar with the registry. Don’t know what I’m doing yet. Like Sandra, I’m learning a lot from this community. Thanks for all you’re doing & keep up the great work.
1 point
Hi! Webroot Window Washer has nothing to do with the registry. ( unlike CCleaner who’s having a Registry cleaning tool )
Anyway your conclusion to never mess with the registry is the best possible one for an average computer user.
Cheers !
Hi guys!
Some good reviews from fellows here convinced me to try it.
It works surprisingly well. Webroot prooves his quality.
Great find guys!
1 point
Hi Peter!
I’m glad if you say you like it, although most feedbacks are rather “so’n’so”.
Cheers!
Hi guys!
Not for me this time. But I know Webroot has quality.
I’m also impressed by so many valuable comments.
Well done guys!
1 point
Hi Bashir!
Hi guys,
I thought I’d give this app a spin on my 5 year old 3 gig XP Pro SP3 machine so I downloaded and installed Webroot Windows Washer version 6.5.5..155 (WWW). I must say that I am disappointed.
I used the “Typical” installation of WWW which I feel is the type of installation most people would and should use. I did look at the “Custom” installation but without knowing more about WWW, the only option I would have changed was the one about installing a desktop icon. Installation was easy, needing only a handful of clicks. Unfortunately, the installation started a couple of alarm bells ringing. Firstly, Winpatrol alerted me to the installation of a Windows Washer service and then alerted me that WWW was also trying to set itself up to autostart whenever I reboot. I allowed the service installation but blocked the autostart option.
Part of finalizing the install is a checkbox to allow WWW to run when the install completes. I did but it didn’t (start that is). Since a start menu item as well as a desktop icon were installed, I had no problem getting Windows Washer started.
Although getting a scan started is relatively easy, customizing that scan is not so easy. If you have some experience with this type of program some customization of the scan can be quickly and safely accomplished although you will need to dive into the Help manual as ‘click here for help’ links are not very frequent. Those screaming RTFM are right but I like to figure out a program for myself and a couple of things completely stumped me such as what is “Bleach” all about (overwrite cleared space a number of times so that files thusly treated are never to be found again even by experts). Bleaching is on by default, so that probably accounts for the slowness that someone above mentioned. I found references to “Shred” in the help manual which puzzles me since that also involves “Bleach”ing and the difference between the two was not readily apparent to me (yeah, yeah, I’ll RTFM, sigh). I was not interested in actually running a cleanup because I had used CCleaner yesterday and have yet to take an image of the disc which would be needed for proper comparison.
I decided to see whether the WWW service was needed or not. The answer is yes especially if you want the program to autostart so that scheduled scans can be run without your involvement. You can set the service to manual using the Services management console and it will start when you start Windows Washer via an icon although I had to click the icon twice to get WWW to run every time I tried. Once WWW is done, the service remains in memory as noted above by another user. It can only be shutdown via Taskmanager. What this all means is that WWW is useless without the service running. Here I will compare WWW with CCleaner. CCleaner does not leave a service running. You run the program and it exits when you close CCleaner. If you have a gig or less of memory installed and want a system cleaner, you should choose CCleaner. If you have gobs of memory, the WWW service can be left running without problem. If you don’t want the main program running, you must close WWW via the system tray icon.
I don’t like this program at all. WWW is difficult to customize although the same is true of CCleaner. In my opinion, CCleaner is a better choice though. Out of the box CCleaner will clean more programs by default and the space wiping option (Bleach) is off by default resulting in quicker cleaning. I feel most people should give this a pass although a relative new comer (noob) would do okay using WWW since he/she would need to really try and screw something up before actually doing soand that is Webroot Windows Washer’s biggest plus.
6 points
Hi pavid!
Like said this software has the biggest possible bad luck to compete with CCleaner - a essential freeware.
Great review, thank you!
When I first saw the word “Webroot”, I instantly hoped it was Webroot Spy Sweeper, but of course, I let my hopes get too high. Anyways, I still like CCleaner better.
There’s also a promotion for a free 1year Mcafee Virusscan Plus, but you have to have a scottrade account, and im not sure if it requires a credit card or not. its on the first page you login.
2 points
Hi Allen!
Spy Sweeper’s turn will come, sooner or later.
The scottrader account asks for too many personal infos ( Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, etc … )
Cheers!
Thanks 4 Free For the link in my last reply and thanks clydeman for your help too And A Big ((Thank You)) too pavid for his good reply I set the washersvc.exe service to manual using the Services management console and i shutdown the service via Task-manager After I use window washer And i left the washIdx.exe service in start up so it deletes the locked files on reboot. It’s no biggie just takes secounds to do so I’m happy with this promo thanks again 4 free and everyone
1 point
Great news!
Hi guys!
Another controversial software. So many different opinions!
But the different reactions are a great asset of this community.
As for me : WWW is not my cup of tea.
It’s not your fault, anyway. Thank you for bringing up so many different promotions.
Keep them coming guys!
1 point
Hi Paps!
Lots of good reviews
I’ll hang on to this ’cause it has some extra bells and whistles that others (including ccleaner) don’t have. Another fine addition to my arsenal.
Thanks all!
1 point
Hi Jeff!
Product: Window Washer ver. 6.5.5.155
Company: Webroot Software Inc.
Installation:
The Webroot
You may choose either a Typical Installation or a Custom Installation. With the typical installation, Window Washer installs by default to system drive\Program Files\Webroot\Washer. The custom installation option allows you to configure some advanced options for Window Washer including installation location, shortcut creation and auto-complete form
data deletion. Definitely something that should review when installing.
You will then be shown an overview of changes the installer will make. Immediately after Window Washer’s Custom Wash Item Detection scan will search for installed 3rd party applications. Again this is something you want to pay close attention to. Several options not only apply to junk data deletion but user settings deletion as well. A tool tip when hovering over the application name gives a brief description of the type of cleaning performed.After clicking next you are given the option to run Window Washer now and that concludes the installation. Some users may be asked to reboot after installation.
Initial Impressions:
Window Washer starts up very quickly. Using the typical tabs on left, module on right appearance, the interface is clean and familiar. Upon startup an overview or “Home” is displayed. The overview gives you the option to “Wash My Computer Now” as well as provide basic information about your last “Wash” and the cumulative amount of disk space recovered by Window Washer among other details.
First Wash:
Given my enabled options and the general tidiness of the test system, Window Washer resulted in a whopping
0 files deleted and 0 bytes of disk space recovered! I wasn’t expecting it to find much, but definitely something.
Of course results will vary.
Special Features:
Bleach: Window Washer has a feature called Bleach which overwrites deleted data with random characters ensuring permanent deletion of data. Several algorithms are available including the secure and proven DoD 5220 and NSA.
Custom Wash Items: Window Washer gives you the ability to add custom wash items. You can configure specific files, directories or registry keys and values for automatic deletion.
System Eraser: Allows you to create a bootable floppy or CD to completely erase your disk drive.
Wash Free Space: Bleach for your free space. Overwrites free space with random characters effectively cleaning traces of past deleted data. Again several algorithms are provided. Logical drives support only. No support for flash drives or other
portable data storage devices.
Advanced System Integration and Modification:
Registry: Window Washer makes several additions to the windows registry totaling 158 new keys and 327 new values.
Services: Window Washer installs one service which runs at startup automatically. Note that the service runs independently of the main application. So even if you disable Window Washer’s startup with Windows option, the service will still run. Use the services manager and change the “Window Washer Engine” startup type to manual or disabled to prevent
it from starting up with windows.
Notification Area: A notification area or system tray icon provides quick access to several common Window Washer functions.
Explorer Integration: Integrates with Windows Explorer to allow quick secure deletion of files.
Special Considerations:
- Windows Washer is capable of deleting user settings for several applications. Be sure to review your cleaning options via “Wash Setup”.
- Windows Washer will load at Windows startup by default. It can be disabled at Options > Program Settings - “Load Window Washer at Windows Startup”.
- By default Window Washer will delete all cookies for installed(and recognized) browsers. Although not unrecoverable deleting cookies can cause problems with certain web sites. This setting can be changed on a per browser basis via “Wash Setup”. You can also Use the Cookie Keeper wizard to keep specific cookies(IE and Netscape/Mozilla browser support only).
The Rundown:
What I liked:
Secure Deletion: Few junk file cleaner offer the option to securely delete files.
System Eraser: Again many disk cleaners don’t allow you to create a bootable system erase disk.
Interface: Though lacking some intuitiveness in my opinion, the interface is very clean and easy to navigate at the root level.
Scheduler: Window Washer contains a competent scheduler for simple automatic cleaning.
What I did not like:
Limited: For those of us that like to configure every aspect of an application, Window Washer is very restricting. Concerning what is cleaned with a particular 3rd party application, little options are provided and configurable. There is no to-be-deleted files overview. You press start, Window Washer scans for files and deletes them and that’s it. A post wash log is displayed but is of little to no use. Being able to select what files to delete would be very useful.
Detection Rate: Window Washer’s scanner is not very effective, it fails to find some junk files that similar applications find easily.
Lack of Browser support: Window Washer does not currently support several very popular browsers including Opera
and Chrome, or it does not support the current version. For some browsers that it does support, it does’t offer any configuration.
End Opinion:
After all, Webroot’s Window Washer gave no performance boost nor was any disk space recovered.
Though that is to be expected when your computer is relatively clean of junk data. I’ll have to allow some junk files
and other clutter to pile up and then retry Window Washer. Then I can better gauge it’s cleaning effectiveness. In comparison to other tools it’s overall performance is mediocre at best. For it’s junk file cleaning alone, I really can’t recommend Window Washer. When coupled with the extra features like secure file deletion and the ability to create a system erase disc, Window Washer is a more viable product. If you don’t need the secure file deletion or erase disc, the free CCleaner is a much better option.
_____________________
In response to Pavid’s comment on the “Shred” feature, it is simply an on the fly function to securely delete files via the right-click menu.
10 points
Hi David!
After a big THANK YOU and congratulations for your ( almost a ) full review …
… I hate to look like an a## and still find something to comment
Maybe your review should have been a bit more concise … Though I have to admit there are no pointless phrases.
Don’t get me wrong, please ! Of course you ( and all friends ) are welcome to write complete reviews like this one, whenever you want … We just feel a bit “quilty” when seeing the personal time you’re using for these long reviews. If you’re doing it once in a while, it’s OK!
This elaborate work is very generous but it shouldn’t spoil your pleasure to visit 4 Free. We’re honestly advicing everybody to never spend more than 5 mins on 4 Free ( as well as on any site ).
Of course it’s your choice and we can only be grateful to everybody visiting 4 Free!
I know your comment will be read and appreciated by many readers so I have just taken this opportunity to send a general message.
Thank you again for taking the time to write this review David !
Hi guys!
Like seen in many comments I will stick with CCleaner and O&O SafeErase 3.
Thanks for the great work and for building the best community I have ever seen!
1 point
Hi Max!
Hi !
I am very glad to get this software !
I h ve just tried it and everything seems OK !
I t ink my computer works better now !
Thank you very much !
1 point
Thank you!
Thanks to all commentators . Great work!
Congrats to 4 Free team for making all this happen !
1 point
Thank YOU Ziggie
Hi friends,I’m in lack of free time lately,so I’ll cut it short.It’s a good system cleanup application,just like many here have said,similar to CC,except for the fact that it doesn’t have the uninstaller.I mean what is all the commotion about?It does exactly what is designed to do,not perfect,but well.Cleans up surfing traces and useless files,and,for added safety,overwrites them with random data,to make them unrecoverable.Neither more,nor less.Overall,not a bad tool to have,if you care about your privacy.Cheers!
2 points
Hi Z! Thanks for the feedback!
GAOTD has WebSite X5 Smart 7 today
First comment says:
This is version seven. If you want version eight the full package is available as a covermount CD on UK PC Pro Magazine this month
Will look forward to this an another month or so????
1 point
Hi guys. Good find but I’ll pass it as I use Advanced System Care for a long time already and it covers all my possible needs. Cheers!
1 point
Hi Dave!
How do I contact you via email. May have found a few promotions I would like to share. There was a mention of gmail email address sometime back in comments.
1 point
Hi! I don’t understand … Don’t you receive all our email notifications ?
Although everybody compares it with CCleaner ( not so different imho ), WWW has a good reviews .
I’m a happy old user and I’m glad to have this free update to the latest version.
Thanks to the team for this opportunity!
1 point
Thank YOU Brian!
Everest Ultimate Edition 4.6 - 4 Free
XXXX
You mean this ?
http://for-free-on-internet.com/2009/06/everest-ultimate-edition-46-4-free/
Please note that 4 Free published it on June 4 !!!
Regards!
Question: Does this clear the remote desktop list? If so, I could use this. I love that it can be scheduled. That’s my one beef with CCleaner - I can never remember to run it!
2 points
Good question ! To be honest I didn’t keep it on my PC after trial, in order to check this aspect now.
But I’m sure somebody will have the right answer.
But what’s stopping you to try it and find the answer yourself? You can use a virtualization solution ( Returnil, etc .. ) for trial.
Cheers!
great find and a very good job that you do here guys. I was looking for this software for quite a while now. Definitively I will come back daily and recommend your site to my friends. Thanks for your good work.
1 point
Thank YOU!
The promotion is over.
2 points
Yup! Thanks for letting us know.
This it why we call them Hot Finds.
One must grab it before they close down the promotion.
Hi!
. Click Next and Finished. Click on Edit near Custom Wash Items and be sure that this Cutom Wash Item that you created is selected.
Creideiki asked if it can clean Remote Desktop Connection list. I tried that and it didn’t clean it. I searched wash items but I didn’ t find Remote Desktop. So the only chance is to create Custom Wash Item. To delete Remote Desktop list, all registry values under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Default must be deleted (MRU0, MRU1, …) - for more information check on http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312169. You must also delete Default.rdp (this file is hidden) in My Documents folder.
So to create custom Wash item for cleaning Remote Desktop list click on Wash Setup and then at the bottom of the window on “click here to create custom wash items”. Give this wash item a name, click next. Select “Add Individual Files for Wasing” and “Add Registry Keys or Values for Wasing”, click next. Select Default.rdp file in My Documents, click Add and Next. Select “Delete a Subkey Value” and select HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Default key. There is no way to add keys from MRU0 to MRU99 for example automatically. So the only way is to type MRU0 in textbox under “Delete a Subkey Value” then click Add, then type MRU1 in textbox and click Add. Repeat this steps until you think is enough
But there is a simpler way by using batch commands:
reg delete “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Default” /va /f
del /a:h “C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\Default.rdp”
Just change username in above command. First command deletes registry entries and second deletes Default.rdp file.
First command is from http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/50/1/How-to-Remove-Entries-from-the-Remote-Desktop-Connection-Computer-Box.html.
You can put this two commands in a .bat file and execute it when you want to delete Remote Desktop history list.
I made short tutorial that shows how to create custom wash item in Windows Washer that deletes Remote Desktop history - http://www.box.net/shared/31rmezxlpo. Just unpack it and open WindowWasher.html with your Internet browser.
5 points
What can I say ? …
Thank YOU Nikola!