Recommendations

[luckydcxx]

does anyone have any recommendations to clean up a PC running Windows 8?

A few years ago I would use malwarebytes anti malware and ccleaner.

Are there any free ones that anyone would recommend?

 

[dusk007]

If you treat it right, you should never need any of that. Cleaning up stuff is really quite unnecessary. Clear the browser cache in the browser. Clear temporary files and other things using windows's own disk cleanup in the disk perf pane.
Don't install crap that might contain malware in the first place. Microsoft Security essentials is usually enough defense against harmful stuff. But best is to change the habit of installing all kinds of crapware.
Windows runs well for a long time if you just take care what you install.

 

[luckydcxx]

If you treat it right, you should never need any of that. Cleaning up stuff is really quite unnecessary. Clear the browser cache in the browser. Clear temporary files and other things using windows's own disk cleanup in the disk perf pane.
Don't install crap that might contain malware in the first place. Microsoft Security essentials is usually enough defense against harmful stuff. But best is to change the habit of installing all kinds of crapware.
Windows runs well for a long time if you just take care what you install.

I haven't owned a PC for about 7 years, I was helping out a friend. You are right though if you treat it right it should run smooth.

Thanks