ccleaner64.exe

CCleaner System Cleaner

Application ProcessSafeSystem Utility

CPU Usage

0-5%

Memory

40-120 MB

Location

Program Files

Publisher

Piriform Ltd

Quick Answer

ccleaner64.exe is safe. It's the 64-bit CCleaner system cleaner from Piriform used to remove junk files, caches and optimize startup on Windows.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be located in C:\Program Files\CCleaner\ and digitally signed by Piriform Ltd

Warning

Moderate

CCleaner runs cleanup routines; excessive resource use usually relates to a scan or maintenance task

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

You can close CCleaner or disable startup/shutdown cleanup tasks to reduce activity

What is ccleaner64.exe?

ccleaner64.exe is the 64-bit executable for Piriform's CCleaner system cleaner. It runs cleanup routines, scans for junk files, and manages cookies, caches, and startup items to free space and improve performance.

CCleaner uses modular cleaning routines and a lightweight engine to safely remove unnecessary files, registry junk, and startup entries. It can run on demand or schedule maintenance tasks.

Quick Fact: CCleaner has been a staple Windows cleaner since 2004, offering customizable cleaning rules and a portable version.

Types of CCleaner Processes

Main Cleaner Process: Handles user-initiated cleaning tasks and UI interactions
Updater/Background Service: Checks for updates and applies maintenance tasks in the background
Startup Manager: Manages and optimizes startup entries
Telemetry/Usage Helper: Optional data collection for usage statistics (if enabled)
Temporary File Purger: Removes temporary and browser caches during scans

Is ccleaner64.exe Safe?

Yes, ccleaner64.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Piriform downloaded from official sources (ccleaner.com or official installers).

Is ccleaner64.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real ccleaner64.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may disguise itself with similar names; always verify the file location and signature.

How to Tell if ccleaner64.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\CCleaner\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\CCleaner\. Any ccleaner64.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Windows Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Piriform Ltd" as signer.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is minimal when idle. A scanning session can briefly use more CPU; sustained high usage without a scan is suspicious.
Behavior: CCleaner should not run without user action or a scheduled task. Unexpected background activity warrants a malware scan.

Red Flags: If ccleaner64.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\\Roaming, or System32), runs when CCleaner isn't open, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan with antivirus software. Look for similarly-named files.

Why Is ccleaner64.exe Running on My PC?

ccleaner64.exe runs when you launch CCleaner or when a scheduled maintenance task is configured to run.

Reasons it's running:

Active Cleaning Session: You're actively cleaning or scanning with CCleaner; each action may spawn a background process.
Scheduled Maintenance: CCleaner schedule tasks in Task Scheduler to run cleanup automatically
Startup/Background Monitoring: CCleaner may run in the background to monitor junk buildup and auto-clean when needed
Browser Cleaner Tasks: Cleaning browser caches or cookies can run as part of a routine or on-demand task
Software Updates: Update checks or maintenance updates may trigger the cleaner to run briefly

Can I Disable or Remove ccleaner64.exe?

Yes, you can disable ccleaner64.exe. You can run CCleaner manually when needed, or uninstall CCleaner entirely if you no longer want it.

How to Stop ccleaner64.exe

Pause or Cancel Clean: In CCleaner, press Cancel during a scan, or click the Stop button if available
Close CCleaner: Exit CCleaner completely from the tray icon or taskbar
Disable Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable CCleaner
Disable Background Monitoring: In CCleaner Settings > Monitoring, turn off "Monitor system for cleanup"
Schedule/Service: In Task Scheduler, disable CCleaner tasks or delete the maintenance task

How to Uninstall CCleaner

✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> CCleaner -> Uninstall
✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> CCleaner -> Uninstall
✔ Restart your PC after removal to complete cleanup

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If ccleaner64.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Active scanning or cleanup: Pause or cancel the scan in CCleaner. For scheduled clean, adjust timing to idle periods.
Heavy browser cache cleanup: Exclude unnecessary items in CCleaner Cleaner or limit browser data types selected
Background monitoring enabled: Disable Monitoring in CCleaner settings
Outdated CCleaner version: Update CCleaner to the latest version via the official CCleaner updater or the official website
Multiple programs cleaning at once: Close other cleaning tools to avoid conflicts
Scheduled tasks running too frequently: Open Task Scheduler, find CCleaner tasks, adjust frequency or disable

Quick Fixes:
1. Open CCleaner Task Manager or CCleaner UI to identify active scans
2. Pause/Cancel ongoing cleanup
3. Update CCleaner to latest version
4. Disable monitoring: CCleaner Settings > Monitoring
5. Limit browser data types cleaned to reduce resource use

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ccleaner64.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate ccleaner64.exe from Piriform is not a virus. Make sure the file is located in C:\Program Files\CCleaner and digitally signed by Piriform Ltd.

Why is ccleaner64.exe using so much CPU?

CPU spikes typically occur during cleanup or scanning. Check CCleaner Task Manager to see which components are active and pause if needed.

Can I delete ccleaner64.exe?

You can uninstall CCleaner via Windows Settings > Apps. Deleting the executable alone may not remove all components; use the official uninstall method.

Can I disable ccleaner64.exe?

Yes, you can disable it by turning off cleaning tasks, stopping the process, and disabling startup items in Task Manager.

Why does CCleaner start on startup?

If CCleaner is configured to monitor or clean automatically on startup, it will launch at boot. You can disable this in CCleaner settings or Task Scheduler.

How do I manually run CCleaner safely?

Open CCleaner and click Run Cleaner. Review the items selected, then click Run Cleaner to perform a controlled cleanup.