Where Does CCleaner Store Settings and Exclusions?
Where CCleaner keeps ccleaner.ini settings, exclusions, and portable versus installed differences on Windows.
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CCleaner keeps its settings in a file named ccleaner.ini sitting next to the program itself. Installed builds use the install folder, portable builds use whatever folder holds the exe. No ini means settings fall back to the registry.
That single file design makes migration a copy paste job and explains most lost settings reports. A reinstall into a different folder orphans the old ini, so the fresh copy starts with defaults while your exclusions sit untouched one directory over.
Where CCleaner stores this, by platform
C:\Program Files\CCleaner\ccleaner.ini
ccleaner.ini holds options, exclusions, and cookies to keep. The portable ZIP keeps it beside the exe, which is why the portable build is the easiest to back up. Registry keys under HKCU\Software\Piriform take over only when no ini exists.
Frequently asked questions
where is the ccleaner settings file
In ccleaner.ini, which lives beside the program: the install folder for the setup build, or next to the exe for the portable ZIP. Copy that one file to migrate settings. If the file is missing, CCleaner falls back to registry storage instead.
where are ccleaner exclusions stored
In the Exclude section of ccleaner.ini (plus cookies to keep under Options). Back up the ini before a major version upgrade, since upgrades occasionally drop custom rules. Cloud sync does not exist, so the file is the only copy.
can installed and portable ccleaner share settings
Yes for settings purposes. Point both at the same ccleaner.ini by keeping one copy next to a portable exe. The installed build can be pointed at an ini too, but the portable layout is the simpler shared setup.
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