Wintoys 2.4.6.0: 25H2 Ready Storage Cleaner and Network Troubleshooter

Wintoys’ latest update, version 2.4.6.0, arrives as a pragmatic, compatibility-first release that prepares the popular third‑party Windows customization suite for Windows 11 25H2 while expanding its built‑in storage cleanup, network troubleshooting, and reliability tooling in ways that matter for real‑world maintenance and space recovery.

Background​

Wintoys has positioned itself as a lightweight, power‑user friendly utility for Windows customization, cleanup, and troubleshooting. It bundles a wide range of small but useful tools — from a cleaner (historically labeled “Junk Cleaner”) to performance benchmarking, health checks, and one‑click tweaks that expose or revert many hidden or obscure Windows settings. The app is actively maintained by developer Bogdan Pătrăucean and is distributed through Microsoft Store channels as well as mirrored on community portals.
This release, explicitly labeled “25H2 ready,” is primarily defensive: it raises the app’s compatibility baseline to match servicing changes in Windows 11 version 25H2 and makes a host of incremental improvements that reduce friction for everyday maintenance tasks. The change set is smallish in scope but focused on two practical pain points: reclaiming disk space from more sources, and simplifying common network troubleshooting operations. The official changelog and independent write‑ups both emphasize that this is an evolutionary, not a revolutionary, update.

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What’s new in Wintoys 2.4.6.0 — overview​

• Marked as Windows 11 25H2 ready and raises the minimum supported OS servicing baseline to avoid elevation/runtime issues on older patched images.
• Storage Cleaner (previously “Junk Cleaner”) renamed, expanded and hardened: added support for preview browser channels, more scan paths (LiveKernelReports, Windows logs, crash dumps), a visible C: free space label, and improved deletion performance.
• Network toolbox expanded: a single "Flush DNS" shortcut is replaced with an Advanced reset / troubleshoot network dialog that consolidates DNS, Winsock, TCP/IP, proxy, firewall, adapter resets and IP configuration helpers.
• Benchmark UI clarified: the confusing hardcoded GamingScore was removed and the maximum possible benchmark score is clarified as 9.9 in hover text. This may make prior scores appear lower after the update.
• Platform and UI upgrades: moves to .NET 9 and Windows App SDK 1.7, switches to the native 1.7 titlebar API, and includes many UI/UX and reliability fixes (debouncing inputs, minimum window dimensions, scaling-aware default size, better restore point reporting).

These changes are documented in the developer’s changelog and have been picked up by a number of independent community sites that corroborate the practical implications for users and administrators.

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Deep dive: Storage Cleaner — what changed and why it matters​

From “Junk Cleaner” to Storage Cleaner​

The renaming from Junk Cleaner to Storage Cleaner is more than semantics. The new name reflects a broader, more conservative approach: the tool now intentionally avoids labeling everything it finds as “junk,” and it filters tree entries that do not actually occupy disk space (with the exception of the System category). That reduces noise when scanning smaller SSDs or devices where storage capacity is a premium.

Expanded scanning coverage​

The updated Storage Cleaner adds:

• Support for preview browser channels (Beta, Dev, Canary, Nightly) so caches and temporary files from those channels are identified. This is particularly useful for developers, testers, and early adopters who run multiple Edge/Chromium channels in parallel.
• Additional temporary and diagnostic paths, including LiveKernelReports, Windows logs, crash dumps (MEMORY.DMP fixes noted), and more. The change set also relocates tooltip details so they are always visible in the UI.

Why this matters: preview‑channel browsers and modern Windows telemetry can produce surprisingly large caches and diagnostic files that accumulate unnoticed. A tool that recognizes those specific paths recovers space that more generic cleaners often miss.

Improved deletion behavior and reporting​

The app improves deletion performance and fixes an earlier bug that reported an incorrect number of deleted files in the toast notification. MEMORY.DMP deletion was specifically addressed. The update also includes a label showing free space available on C:, which helps users immediately understand the impact of a cleanup pass.
Practical recommendation: run Storage Cleaner first in scan-only or preview mode and review the categories it identifies before you commit to deletion. That reduces the chance of removing diagnostically valuable logs you might later need for troubleshooting.

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Network troubleshooting: from one-button DNS flush to a toolbox​

The old single-purpose “Flush DNS” shortcut has been replaced by a richer Advanced reset/troubleshoot network dialog. The new dialog consolidates common network reset and cleanup operations in one place:

• DNS cache clearing
• Winsock catalog reset
• TCP/IP stack reset
• HTTP proxy reset
• Firewall rules reset
• Network adapter reset
• IP configuration and related helpers

This consolidation is a pragmatic upgrade: modern connectivity problems are multi‑factor, and having a single place to run a curated set of resets saves time and reduces error for users who might otherwise repeatedly run disparate commands.
Operational note: some of these operations (Winsock reset, TCP/IP stack reset, adapter resets) require elevation and can temporarily disrupt network connectivity. Use the advanced network dialog when troubleshooting persistent issues or under guidance from support staff.

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Benchmark UI, GamingScore removal, and interpretation​

Wintoys’ benchmark tool has historically presented a composite performance score with a visual indicator that some users read as a 5‑star or 10‑point system. The changelog clarifies the UI:

• The confusing hardcoded GamingScore has been removed (it relied on winsat internals that are no longer available).
• Hover text now states the maximum possible score is 9.9, not 10, and the score icon is clearer. Removing GamingScore may make previously recorded scores appear lower simply because a component of the composite metric was dropped.

This is an example of a responsible UI change: rather than preserve a misleading visual, the app now matches available platform telemetry and presents a clearer maximum. Users who track “benchmark regressions” should note the change and avoid treating post‑update differences as necessarily indicative of performance degradation.

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Platform upgrades: .NET 9 and Windows App SDK 1.7​

Wintoys moves its runtime to .NET 9 and updates to Windows App SDK 1.7. The app also replaces its custom titlebar implementation with the native 1.7 API. These changes aim to:

• Improve compatibility with modern Windows runtime APIs
• Reduce layout glitches on high‑DPI and scaled displays
• Benefit from performance and security updates in newer runtime libraries

The change to .NET 9 and Windows App SDK 1.7 also means that the app now depends on newer runtime components being available on the machine, which is part of why the update raises the minimum supported servicing baseline. Administrators should confirm that systems intended to run Wintoys meet these runtime prerequisites.

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Health, device management, and small but useful tweaks​

Wintoys continues to add focused helpers rather than flashy one‑click “optimizers.” Key additions include:

• Co‑installers and driver updates hooks in the Health page to surface auxiliary installs and driver update status.
• A Num Lock default‑on toggle under tweaks/system — small but practical for some laptop users.
• Improved system restore dialog that shows the total used space by restore points and surfaces a backup warning.
• UX polish: input field debouncing, minimum window dimensions, scaling-aware default app sizing, and more.

These changes reduce friction and make the app more predictable for routine maintenance.

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Security and distribution notes​

• The release raises the minimum supported application version (19041.0 → 19044.1706) to ensure the host OS contains the servicing update needed for certain elevated behaviors in modern MSIX scenarios. That change is deliberate to avoid runtime elevation problems on older or unpatched images.
• Community discussion indicates users have occasionally seen anti‑virus false positives with Wintoys after prior updates; one community thread reported Kaspersky flagging Wintoys until definitions were updated. This is a common risk for actively developed system tools that use low‑level operations and installer artifacts; admins should verify signatures and prefer Microsoft Store distribution where possible.

Important caveat: distribution mirrors and software portals sometimes lag behind the Store and the developer’s own changelog. Confirm the exact version and build via the Microsoft Store metadata or the official changelog page rather than third‑party mirrors. Some secondary outlets have occasionally used inconsistent version strings in headlines; trust the developer’s changelog for the canonical record.

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Cross‑verification and journalistic check​

The release notes cited above come directly from the developer’s own changelog entry and are corroborated by independent coverage in community and German language tech outlets. The operating details for Storage Cleaner, the network troubleshooter, the Benchmark UI change, and the platform upgrades are visible in both the official changelog and independent posts summarizing the changelog. Where possible, assertions here are cross‑checked against at least two independent sources to ensure accurate reporting of feature names, behavior changes, and the stated 25H2 compatibility goal.
Note on retrieval: an XDA article headline provided by the user could not be fetched at the time of writing due to a gateway error on the XDA URL. The details described in that headline are, however, consistent with the official changelog and independent community reports. The failed fetch attempt returned an HTTP 502 and could not be loaded for direct quoting. Treat that specific page as temporarily unavailable until the host resolves the issue. ([]())

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Strengths: why this update matters​

• Practical focus: Rather than adding gimmicks, the update addresses real maintenance gaps — preview browser caches, kernel/live crash reports, and Windows logs are items that can eat substantial space on development machines and laptops with constrained storage. The Storage Cleaner’s expanded coverage is highly practical.
• Compatibility first: Marking the release as 25H2 ready and raising the servicing baseline prevents subtle elevation/runtime issues on newer Windows service stacks. That reduces support incidents for administrators.
• Consolidation of network troubleshooting: The advanced network dialog brings together commonly used reset operations in a safer, more discoverable way — useful for both power users and frontline support staff.
• Cleaner, clearer UI and telemetry: Removing the misleading hardcoded GamingScore and clarifying the benchmark’s maximum score improves the fidelity of the app’s metrics.
• Modern platform stack: Moving to .NET 9 and Windows App SDK 1.7 keeps the app aligned with contemporary Windows app development, which typically translates to fewer layout quirks and better system behavior on new builds.

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Risks and caveats​

• Potential for over‑deletion: Storage cleaners that include logs and crash dumps can remove files that may be valuable for diagnostics. Users should prefer a review step or create backups before mass deletion. The app’s rename and improved UI aim to reduce this risk, but caution is still warranted.
• AV false positives: Active system utilities that touch low‑level files or perform elevated operations can trigger anti‑virus or EDR tools. Community reports indicate occasional false positives which are generally resolved by updating definitions, but operators in managed environments should validate the binary via Store metadata or developer signatures prior to whitelisting.
• Dependency on newer platform components: The jump to .NET 9 and Windows App SDK 1.7 means older or highly locked‑down images may not be able to run the updated app. IT teams that rely on custom images (LTSC, long‑tail enterprise images) should test Wintoys 2.4.6.0 in a lab environment before broad deployment.
• Benchmark comparability: Removing GamingScore changes the benchmark’s baseline; historical comparisons must be interpreted with the change in mind to avoid false conclusions about performance regressions.

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Practical checklist — how to adopt Wintoys 2.4.6.0 safely​

• Verify the version in the Microsoft Store or the developer’s official changelog before installing to ensure you have the authentic 2.4.6.0 build.
• Before running Storage Cleaner, choose the scan/preview mode and inspect the items listed. Look specifically at logs, dump files, and any “Others” entries that might include system‑packaged components.
• Keep a recent system restore point or full disk backup prior to large cleanup operations. The updated system restore dialog now shows the total space used by restore points — verify you have adequate restore coverage.
• If corporate AV/EDR flags the app, confirm the binary’s origin (Store metadata or developer site) and update definitions; conduct a scan in a controlled environment before whitelisting.
• Test the application on a representative sample of devices (including any LTSC or highly customized images) because the app now requires a higher servicing baseline on Windows.

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Final analysis — practical, careful evolution​

Wintoys 2.4.6.0 is an example of a mature, community‑oriented utility incrementally improving along the lines users actually need: better cleaning coverage, a more useful network troubleshooting surface, and cleaner, less misleading metrics. The release’s explicit 25H2 readiness and the platform upgrades show responsible maintenance: the developer is keeping the app in step with Windows’ evolving runtime landscape and patching model.
At the same time, the update underscores perennial caveats for third‑party system utilities: expanded cleaning capabilities always carry some risk of removing diagnostically valuable artifacts, and low‑level tooling can trigger defensive reactions from anti‑malware systems. Wintoys has addressed several of these concerns through UI changes and bug fixes, but prudent users and administrators should adopt a review‑first approach, validate the binary source, and test on representative hardware prior to wide deployment.
For users who want straightforward, accessible control over Windows features, Wintoys remains a strong option: actively maintained, feature‑practical, and evolving in ways that prioritize compatibility and clarity. The 2.4.6.0 update reinforces that stance — it’s safe to call this a thoughtful maintenance release rather than a headline‑grabbing overhaul, and its improvements will be most appreciated by those who actually run into storage pressure, preview‑channel residue, or recurrent connectivity oddities.

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Conclusion: Wintoys 2.4.6.0 is a pragmatic, 25H2‑ready maintenance release that extends storage cleanup to preview channel artifacts and Windows diagnostics, consolidates network troubleshooting, clarifies benchmarking, and modernizes the app’s runtime stack. It’s a useful upgrade for power users and IT pros, provided they follow a measured rollout and review‑before‑delete approach to file cleanup.

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Source: XDA Our favorite third-party Windows customization tool now lets you clean your storage better