This week, in our daily newsletter, we featured one of the oldest, most trusted freeware programs we’ve ever recommended. The program is still as good as ever and runs on all versions of Windows. However, the author, has changed his Web site and has fallen into the category of sites where obfuscating the real download link has become the norm.
Well, we got raked over the coals by some of our free newsletter readers who complained that the freeware we recommended was not free at all but cost $29.95. However, we tested the program both before and after the article appeared — and it was indeed freeware; there was no place in the program even to buy it, let alone a charge of $29.95. What happened to many was this: The clicked on an ad disguised as a download link. The did this for the reasons we so often caution you:
1. They were in a hurry
2. They didn’t read all of the information the author had written
3. They didn’t take common sense with them on the Web
4. They didn’t believe us when we told them it was freeware
While the download link is indeed obfuscated and buried, it’s not impossible to find. In fact, if you take time to read the entire description of the program – the link is easy to find.
Our test this week for you is: Can you find the correct download link?
The program is CleanUp! — it’s an oldie but a goodie. It’s a system cleaner that does a good job, and does it safely. It’s freeware. It’s not bundled with anything. We’re not guessing, we’ve tested it many times this past week.
Can you find the correct link for CleanUp! on the author’s site? Please let us know.
Here’s a link to the author’s site. Make us proud and tell us you found the correct download link.
I had no problem finding the right download link. In fact, there was no confusion at all for me. The only time I have to pay really close attention is when there is a half-dozen or more “download” buttons of a variety of sizes, and not always clearly identified. If I can’t find that “needle in the haystack” right away, or I’m not sure I’ve found the right one, I don’t download anything, and avoid that download site in the future. That is not the case with this site, so I don’t understand why anyone could be confused here.
I found it and downloaded it without any problems. Just read everything. Thanks for your tips.
I downloaded the program shortly after your recommendation.
There was no problem finding it, but like you said, you get in a rush, you just don’t look.
I can’t see why someone would actually click on a link which obviously is not for CleanUp.
That said, people – SLOW DOWN and PAY
ATTENTION!!!!!
Clicked on your link which sent me directly to the site for CleanUp. Looked for the download for the program and located it almost instantly. It was as clear as the sun on a cloudless day!
Also read their info too (I always do that first to see what they say).
Anyway, Downloaded the most current version from the link on the Left-hand, upper side of the site… Installed instantly… No problems or concerns whatsoever.
It is important to read and not just look… The PayPal there is for a donation of $3.99 if one so desires, however, it is absolutely freeware… there is no cost for it.
One thing I have noticed of late, and that is exactly what you explained. Many programs, free, or available to buy, have tricky download buttons. Next thing you know you are downloading stuff you don’t want. So, yes! It is imperative, as you mentioned, to read and understand before hitting the download buttons.
Thank you…for suggesting this “FREEWARE” as in FREE!! Program! 🙂
GLoria
I love Cleanup! Best program ever. And today Malware found a bad guy!!
You really have to watch and read!!
I had to pay attention but I did find it and like it. Thanks!
Hi, thank you for clarifying this little problem. When you are old, you don’t always have time to read things you should read…………..that is my excuse and I am sticking to it. LOL LOL
Anyway, I sent the little donation off to Steve and hope my laptop runs better now that it is all cleaned up.
By the way, I running Windows 7 so hopefully it worked just as well on this version. Love your newsletters.
Thank you.
No problem finding the download link, but that being said, the page is FULL of information, so one has to make time to read slowly. Also, it is a nice gesture “if a person wants to” to donate, but it is made clear there is no charge for the download. Thanks for paying attention to concerns and doing your best to clarify! You guys are just the best ever!!!
I have learned over the years to READ everything.
The free download is there somewhere!
Found it!
when all else fails – read the instructions…no problem…think the speed & the flushing toilet sound is fun…many thanks ♥
I had trouble at first and downloaded the wrong problem,and was told the price at the end, but having all faith in you two, I deleted that and started again and wallah I found the correct download and am more than happy with clean up. Thanks again for telling us about this free ware
Hate to tell ya… but it wouldn’t download any of those downloads….
Seems to me a lot of others downloaded it without a problem. Read the other comments.
well.. I tried them all and none worked….
Win32.PWS.Zbot.Cc this is what I found on the download on this clean up… so it has some kind of spyware or a virus
And this is called a false-positive and this tells me whatever kind of security program you’re using is flawed and not working correctly. This programs is clean — it’s been around since Windows 95. You need to find a different anti-virus if you’re getting false-positives. A program that spawns warnings on safe files, is likely not to spawn warnings with unsafe files. Your antivirus program needs to be checked.
You can check any file for safety at http://www.virustotal.com — it checks a file with 40+ different scanners.
when a person has to go through all of the maze to get something to download…. it’s not worth having.
You’re right of course, but the maze method is becoming the rule. And I think, and I think most would agree, that a freeware developer also has a right to earn something for the time he has invested, particularly if you find the program useful. I for one, would much rather negotiate a page of misdirection to get to a good freeware program than I would to pay $29.95 or more for every single program I download.
I don’t know why people think just because it’s on the Web, it should be free. These people who create software don’t live in bubbles — they pay for food, shelter, transportation, utilities, braces for their kids, etc. just like everyone else. You don’t walk into a retail store and expect anything to be free.
So while I wish that sites wouldn’t obfuscate the real download links, I understand it,and I for one, would rather hunt for a download link than have to pay $29.95 for every program I use — or worse — have the author stoop to bundling malware with his/her freeware and try to trick me into installing it.
Found it, NO PROBLEMS.
I found the link the 1st time I tried based on your original newsletter. However both then and on a retry based on this newsletter, my McAfee Security Suite identified the program as a “Trojan” and put it in quarantine.
No problem finding the link for CleanUp452, the latest version, as well as the earlier versions.
I found the link with know problem! I was just looking to see if it ran on window’s 7 64bit. I went to the forum and all said, it ran well! So here I go to download the new version.
Thank You for all your help and your great newsletter!!
Hey Andy. Let McAfee delete that “false positive” “Trojan” for you. Download that file again. This time SAVE it to your desktop. Then scan it at http://www.virustotal.com I’ll guarantee the best thing
you could do after that is dump McAfee, or Norton, or whater so-called security “suite” is also giving you a “false positive” on your personal computer safety and protection while charging you for that protected “feeling” which is also the worst kind of “false positive”. Those people USED to be good 20 years ago, established a reputation THEN and are still “resting on their laurels” and getting away with it.
I’m soooooo very happy that you did this! Can’t tell you the thoughts I want to tell “those people” to LOOK, LOOK, LOOK! I’m an old fart of 74 years and mangage to find the right download. Come on people… THINK! And for heaven’s sake don’t blame those two wonderful people at Coudeight for your own ingorance!!!
Found it, no problem
Found the link to CleanUp … I learned a long time ago how important it is to read EVERYTHING before forging ahead. Thank for telling about CleanUp in your posting.
I don’t understand what the big deal is about this. I had no problem finding the right download at all. There was no “maze” of download possibilities. Yes, there were some other options on each side but what I needed to know was smack dab, right down the middle.
Found it with no problems and I use it daily. Thanks for all your info. You guys are awesome.