Last week we discovered Windows Defender had classified the free version of our CCleaner product and other tools, Defraggler, Speccy and Recuva, as "Potentially Unwanted Applications" (PUA). This came as a surprise to us as we haven’t made any changes to any of these applications which might warrant the new classification.
Having looked into it, it appears the issue is with the new classification related to the bundling of other genuine software within the free versions of CCleaner, Defraggler, Recuva and Speccy; specifically:
- Google Chrome
- Google Toolbar
- Avast Free Antivirus
- AVG Antivirus Free
We immediately addressed this matter so that CCleaner, Defraggler, Speccy and Recuva were no longer being flagged. Users can download these new builds from our website.
We have asked Microsoft to update the detection status in their blog on the topic and correct the following inaccuracies:
1. The screenshot showing the Avast offer with a pre-checked selection has not been used since mid-October 2019. The current layout was first introduced in early October 2019 and provides much greater transparency to users – with the pre-check replaced clearly with “Accept” and “Decline” options to prevent unwanted software downloads.
2. The text describing the offer relates to this out-of-date screenshot: “While the CCleaner installers do provide an option to opt out, some users can easily inadvertently install these bundled applications" and “When it is launched, it provides a preselected option to install Avast Free Antivirus." As per the above, there is no pre-check and has not been for several months.
3. The caption for the screenshot needs to be corrected as it states “Another CCleaner installer provides a preselected option to install AVG Antivirus Free". The AVG offer inside CCleaner has never been presented with any form of pre-selected option.
Unfortunately, the flagging of these offers within CCleaner caused an inconvenience to a small number of users but this has now been resolved. While the volume of complaints we have received is incredibly low, we are always looking to ensure a consistently positive user experience driven by an informed choice, and are in discussions with Microsoft to do this.
Here’s where you can download the latest versions of CCleaner, Defraggler, Speccy and Recuva.
