AppDataCleaner is a free, open-source Windows utility designed to clean residual files left in the AppData folder after software uninstallation. It targets Windows users seeking to reclaim disk space and maintain a cleaner system, offering a user-friendly interface for identifying and removing unnecessary AppData entries.

How It Works

The tool is built with Rust and utilizes the egui framework for its graphical user interface. A key feature is its integration with ChatGPT, which is used to generate folder descriptions, helping users understand the purpose of specific AppData subfolders before deletion. This AI-driven approach aims to provide more context than traditional cleanup tools, reducing the risk of accidental data loss.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Installation: Download the pre-compiled .exe file from the releases page or build from source.
• Requirements: Windows 8 or later. Folder description rules need to be downloaded separately and placed in the software's root directory.
• Usage: Run the executable, click "立即扫描" (Scan Now) to identify files, and then select "删除" (Delete).
• Documentation: https://github.com/TC999/AppDataCleaner

Highlighted Details

• AI-generated folder descriptions via ChatGPT for informed cleanup.
• Built using Rust and egui for a native Windows experience.
• Open-source and free to use, with contributions welcomed.
• Includes a feature to open selected folders directly.

Maintenance & Community

The project is maintained by TC999, with contributions from ChatGPT for code generation and egui for the GUI framework. The project encourages community contributions via pull requests, requiring GPG signatures for submissions. Further discussion and to-do items can be found in the project's issues section.

Licensing & Compatibility

The project is licensed under GPLv3. This license is a strong copyleft license, meaning derivative works must also be open-sourced under the same GPLv3 license. This may impose restrictions on linking with closed-source commercial applications.

Limitations & Caveats

The "move folder" functionality is not yet implemented. Multi-language support is not a current priority. Users must manually download folder description rules, and the deletion process is irreversible, requiring user caution. The project explicitly states it has never been released on GitCode.