IS YOUR COMPUTER SLOW? RUN LIKE NEW
If they are not maintained, computers lose performance over time. Norton Utilities Ultimate can help significantly improve the performance of your Windows computers.
Applicable for: Mac,Windows
Cleaning up system junk with Norton Utilities Ultimate
Norton Utilities Ultimate lets you safely delete system junk, broken registry keys, and broken shortcuts to free up your disk space.
System Junk are unnecessary files that occupy a lot of space and slow down your computer. System junk include caches, logs, downloads, driver packages, temporary files, log files, trash, and broken files that you can safely delete to free up disk space. These are typically left-over files created by the system, programs, or installers. Cleaning up the system junk regularly helps your Windows PC perform better.
Broken Registry Keys are links in your system registry that may be outdated or broken. Windows registry keys play an important role in the optimal functioning of many programs and processes in your computer. But over a period, registry keys can break, become duplicated, or are left over after you uninstall programs. This can create problems for your computer. Norton Utilities Ultimate identifies the broken registry keys that you can safely delete from your computer.
Broken Shortcuts are invalid shortcuts that lead to non-existent files or applications. When files, folder, and programs are moved, deleted, or uninstalled, the associated shortcuts break and become redundant. These broken shortcuts serve no purpose but take up disk space. Norton Utilities Ultimate identifies these broken shortcuts that you can safely delete from your computer.
Windows
Scan for system junk
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Open Norton Utilities Ultimate.
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On the main menu, click Clean Junk.
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In the Clean Junk window, on the System Junk tab, click Rescan.
Wait for the scan to complete.
Clean up system junk
Clean up your disk
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Open Norton Utilities Ultimate.
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On the main menu, click Clean Junk.
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In the Clean Junk window, on the System Junk tab, select a cleaning mode.
Your options are:
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Basic: Selects only file categories that you can safely clean without losing crucial data.
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Full: Selects all listed file categories, including the setup files, recycle bin, and Downloads folder. You can then manually de-select the categories you want to retain.
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Custom: Manually select the file categories you want to clean.
IMPORTANT: If you select the Downloads folder for cleaning, we recommend that you check the Downloads folder for any important or irreplaceable files.
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Click Clean.
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When cleaning is complete, click Finish Cleaning.
Clean up broken registry keys
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Open Norton Utilities Ultimate.
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On the main menu, click Clean Junk.
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In the Clean Junk window, click the Broken Registry Keys tab.
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Select a cleaning mode. Your options are:
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Basic: Selects only registry key categories that you can safely clean without losing crucial data.
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Full: Selects all listed registry key categories. You can then manually de-select the categories you want to retain.
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Custom: Manually select the registry key categories you want to clean.
Tip: For each category, click the arrow icon on the far right to view the registry keys identified for removal.
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Click Clean.
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When cleaning is complete, click Finish Cleaning.
Clean up broken shortcuts
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Open Norton Utilities Ultimate.
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On the main menu, click Clean Junk.
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In the Clean Junk window, click the Broken Shortcuts tab.
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Select a cleaning mode. Your options are:
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Basic: Selects only shortcut categories that you can safely clean without losing crucial data.
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Full: Selects all listed shortcut categories. You can then manually de-select the categories you want to retain.
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Custom: Manually select the shortcut categories you want to clean.
Tip: For each category, click the arrow icon on the far right to view the registry keys identified for removal.
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Click Clean.
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When cleaning is complete, click Finish Cleaning.
Mac
Over time, apps and your system create clutter that steals your storage space. The Disk Cleaner feature allows you to easily clear out junk, including leftover files from uninstalled apps.
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Open Norton Utilities Ultimate.
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On the main menu, click File Cleanup > Start scan.
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After the scan completes, you can review the amount of space taken up by unnecessary files and select which files you want to remove from your Mac.
IMPORTANT: If you select the Downloads folder for cleaning, we recommend that you check the Downloads folder for any important or irreplaceable files.
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Click Clean.
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In the confirmation alert window, click Clean.
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When prompted, type your Mac administrator account password, and then click OK.
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Click Done.
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Last modified: 02/24/2026
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