14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft started flagging CCleaner, a very popular Windows system optimization and secure cleaning app, as a Potentially Unwanted App, or PUA, with the company then explaining that the whole thing was caused by the software that’s bundled with the installer.
Needless to say, an antivirus prompt when installing a third-party application on Windows 10 isn’t necessarily the best news for the developing team, and now Piriform, the company that makes CCleaner, says they’re discussing with Microsoft to fix the whole thing.
In a statement that the CCleaner team sent us, we’re being told that the issue has already been resolved, albeit no specifics were provided on how this was done.
“We are in the process of engaging with Microsoft to understand why CCleaner was recently detected as PUA. We surmise the issue appears to be around bundling, and we believe we have addressed this so that our product is now no longer flagged,” the CCleaner team said.
We asked how exactly the issue was resolved and whether the software that was bundled with the installer is no longer there, but an answer hasn’t been offered.
The bundled software
Microsoft explains that CCleaner installers offer Google Chrome, Google Toolbar, Avast Free Antivirus, and AVG Antivirus Free, and while users are provided with an option to skip their installation, some could end up running software they didn’t ask for in the first place.
“While the bundled applications themselves are legitimate, bundling of software, especially products from other providers, can result in unexpected software activity that can negatively impact user experiences. While the CCleaner installers do provide an option to opt out, some users can easily inadvertently install these bundled applications,” Microsoft said.
I reached out to both Piriform and Microsoft for additional information on how the deal has been addressed but I’m yet to hear back at the time of publishing this article.