Update (v1.2): PersonalCleaner is still free and open source on GitHub. v1.2 is out — the same honest cleaner, now with an optional Pro key (background automation, weekly idle restart, Defender exclusions, service tuning) that unlocks offline via an in-app L1 menu. Scanned clean on VirusTotal (0/67).
👉 https://github.com/sanks205/PersonalCleaner/releases/tag/v1.2
Every "PC cleaner" shows you fake errors and tries to scare you into buying. I got tired of that nonsense, so I built my own — and open-sourced it.
Why I built it
I wanted a tool that:
• only does things that actually help
• shows you real numbers, not fake problems
• never touches critical Windows system files
No popups. No "you have 3,000 problems!" alerts. Just honest cleanup.
What it does (free, open source)
• Scan & fix now — real junk, cached RAM, health check
• Free RAM now — one-click memory release
• Startup manager — see & control what runs at boot
• Close a stuck app — mini task manager
• Restart Explorer — fix a hung taskbar instantly
• Activity log & history — see everything it did
(Free works with no key. Portable, 100% offline, MIT-licensed — audit it yourself.)
Why developers care
• Antivirus exclusions (Pro) — stop Defender from slowing your builds/dev work
• Service tuning (Pro) — cut background load
• Fully open source — MIT, audit the code yourself
The Pro version
Basic maintenance is free on GitHub. The Pro license adds background auto-clean, weekly idle restart, antivirus exclusions, and service tuning.
• A one-time fee for a 1-year, per-PC key (tied to your machine, works 100% offline)
• One key, one computer — no subscriptions, no cloud
GitHub: https://github.com/sanks205/PersonalCleaner
Pro: https://observerly1.gumroad.com/l/ialzp
If you've ever questioned whether a "PC cleaner" is actually doing anything — this one's code is right there for you to check.
Top comments (1)
It's Python + Tkinter, packaged with PyInstaller — no Electron bloat, no background services in the free version. The whole thing works 100% offline; the "numbers it shows" come from real Windows APIs (temp files, RAM, startup entries), not fake counters. And since it's MIT-licensed on GitHub, you can read exactly what it touches before running it. The Pro key is HMAC-signed and machine-locked, so there's no phone-home licensing either.