LANGALIST By Fred Langa CCleaner — the popular system-cleanup tool — recently added automated software and driver updaters to its features. A subscrib
[See the full post at: Reader feedback on driver/software updaters, and more!]
![]() |
Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
Reader feedback on driver/software updaters, and more!
Home » Forums » Newsletter and Homepage topics » Reader feedback on driver/software updaters, and more!
- This topic has 7 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 8 months ago.
AuthorTopicFred Langa
AskWoody MVPAugust 2, 2021 at 2:44 am #2381189Viewing 4 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
Alex5723
AskWoody Plus -
anonymous
GuestAugust 2, 2021 at 6:44 am #2381219I tried (free) CCleaner’s driver update a couple of weeks ago. It did suggest some updates, but when I used Contol Panel to search for updates non of CCleaners suggestions appeared!
I’ve declined to use CCleaners suggestions.
– If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
bbearren
AskWoody MVPAugust 2, 2021 at 5:36 pm #2381462I have one driver update tool. Both my daily driver and my NAS have Intel DH87RL motherboards. My NAS has an Intel mSATA SSD for the OS (Windows 10 21H1). My update tool is Intel® Driver Support Assistant.
Even though the motherboards and CPU’s are circa 2013, very infrequently the Support Assistant will suggest an update. When I click on the notice, the Intel website opens and gives me the option to download and install. I’ve received notices for graphics driver updates (for Windows 10) and installed them. The latest (a couple of months ago) was a software update for the Intel SSD monitoring software in my NAS. Otherwise,
– If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.We were all once "Average Users". -
Cybertooth
AskWoody PlusAugust 2, 2021 at 10:40 pm #2381491I was surprised to see this in Fred’s column this week:
Alas, although I recommend and use CCleaner’s Registry cleaner on my PCs (I even have a Pro license), I emphatically do not recommend either the software or the driver updater.
The surprising part was not the second half of the sentence, but the first half. Over the years it’s become a nearly universal piece of tech advice not to use registry cleaners. I don’t have a dog in this fight–I can go either way on this question–so I am (sincerely) curious as to Fred’s reasons for recommending a registry cleaner when most every other expert says to avoid registry cleaners like the plague.
I’m open-minded and hoping that Fred himself will set out his line of thinking. Looking forward to it!
4 users thanked author for this post.
-
SallyBrown
AskWoody LoungerAugust 3, 2021 at 6:22 pm #2381685I won’t use CCleaner for four reasons:
- Owned by Avast, a data brokering company.
- Last version I used wouldn’t work at all unless it was online and it would break through firewall blocks. No reason CC should ever have to be online to function.
- It “finds” cookies that don’t exist, seems to just collect them, even after deletion so it looks like it’s doing something, maybe? No one’s ever been able to provide an explanation for what the supposed cookies are.
- I know where all the stuff that accumulates now, so cleaners are kinda irrelevant.
Too bad, CC saved a royally hosed laptop for me ten years ago and was a super easy way to disable unneeded windows apps. The registry cleaner, etc., was really dangerous, there was a saying “If you like OS reinstalls, use CC without checking everything it finds and one day, you’re golden!”
I do use Snappy Driver Installer Origin, it’s portable, benign, clean and works well. Very few mis-hits. Like any other driver updater, you really should look at what it recommends. The only exception is graphics drivers, I do that myself because of occasional bungled releases and they take a long time to fix. Other software updates including Windows Updates are done manually.
2 users thanked author for this post.
-
kiwisolutionz
AskWoody LoungerAugust 4, 2021 at 12:52 am #2381722How about using CCleaners older versions before it got all commercial on us???i.e. the earlier versions have very limited extras onboard…just a thought…(he says whilst using version: 2.33.1184) but I mean earlier even…they used to have all their versions available online for download anytime years ago….cheers.
If there is magic on this earth ... it's in the water.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
wavy
AskWoody PlusAugust 4, 2021 at 7:20 am #2381757
-
Viewing 4 reply threads -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
Windows 11 Windows Updater question
by
Tex265
5 hours, 17 minutes ago -
Key, Key, my kingdom for a Key!
by
RetiredGeek
12 hours, 11 minutes ago -
Registry Patches for Windows 10
by
Drcard:))
16 hours, 42 minutes ago -
Cannot get line length to NOT wrap in Outlining in Word 365
by
CWBillow
16 hours, 55 minutes ago -
DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) updates
by
Alex5723
10 hours, 5 minutes ago -
Align objects on a OneNote page
by
CWBillow
22 hours, 10 minutes ago -
OneNote Send To button?
by
CWBillow
22 hours, 54 minutes ago -
WU help needed with “Some settings are managed by your organization”
by
Peobody
1 day, 7 hours ago -
No Newsletters since 27 January
by
rog7
1 day, 3 hours ago -
Linux Mint Debian Edition 7 gets OEM support, death of Ubuntu-based Mint ?
by
Alex5723
7 hours, 59 minutes ago -
Windows Update “Areca Technology Corporation – System – 6.20.0.41”
by
Bruce
6 hours, 39 minutes ago -
Google One Storage Questions
by
LHiggins
8 hours, 1 minute ago -
Button Missing for Automatic Apps Updates
by
pmcjr6142
7 hours, 21 minutes ago -
Ancient SSD thinks it’s new
by
WSila
12 hours, 35 minutes ago -
Washington State lab testing provider exposed health data of 1.6 million people
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
1 day, 22 hours ago -
WinRE KB5057589 fake out
by
Susan Bradley
1 day, 15 hours ago -
The April 2025 Windows RE update might show as unsuccessful in Windows Update
by
Susan Bradley
1 day, 6 hours ago -
Firefox 137
by
Charlie
9 hours ago -
Whisky, a popular Wine frontend for Mac gamers, is no more
by
Alex5723
2 days, 10 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26120.3863 (24H2) released to BETA
by
joep517
2 days, 10 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26200.5551 released to DEV
by
joep517
2 days, 10 hours ago -
New Windows 11 PC setup — can I start over in the middle to set up a local id?
by
ctRanger
1 day, 6 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26100.3902 (24H2) released to Release Preview
by
joep517
2 days, 14 hours ago -
Oracle kinda-sorta tells customers it was pwned
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
2 days, 20 hours ago -
Global data centers (AI) are driving a big increase in electricity demand
by
Kathy Stevens
3 days, 6 hours ago -
Office apps read-only for family members
by
b
3 days, 9 hours ago -
Defunct domain for Microsoft account
by
CWBillow
3 days, 6 hours ago -
24H2??
by
CWBillow
1 day, 6 hours ago -
W11 23H2 April Updates threw ‘class not registered’
by
WindowsPersister
1 day, 2 hours ago -
Master patch listing for April 8th, 2025
by
Susan Bradley
1 day, 6 hours ago
Recent blog posts
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2025 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.