XP Fixes Myth #1: Registry Cleaners

HumBug · 2007/01/26

Top ten registry cleaners compared

More opinions by experts-2007 Registry Software Support
http://registry-repair-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

I read other peoples opinions -but never take them as gospel and make up my own mind on what I feel is best for me in my circumstances and needs.

You can get many opinions from experts.

You do not need a registry program to stuff up your computer-back in the old DOS days I entered deltree\y in the root directory C:\ - cleaned off every folder on the PC very quickly.

charlesvar · 2007/03/01

Fred Langa's opinion on using reg cleaners:

Windows Secrets Newsletter "¢ Issue 98 "¢ 2007-03-01

For some, Windows Registry cleaning is a waste of time. For others, it's essential!

Here's how to tell if your PC might benefit from a thorough cleaning of its Registry.

The whys and hows of Registry cleaners

A reader named Dave asked a question I was happy to answer because it's about one of my favorite topics:
"Would you consider commenting on the value of Registry cleaning programs and, more importantly, making some recommendations? "
First, here's some background: According to Wikipedia, the Windows Registry is "a database which stores settings and options for the operating system for Microsoft Windows 32-bit versions, 64-bit versions and Windows Mobile. It contains information and settings for all the hardware, operating system software, most non-operating system software, users, and preferences of the PC and so on." (For more in-depth information, read the whole article.)

Some Registry entries are maintained by Windows itself, which does a reasonable job of looking after its own settings. But Windows can't know what third-party software needs to do in the Registry, and so more or less cedes control of those entries to the software that creates them.

Some software is very tidy, even frugal about what it stores in the Registry. This kind of software is also thorough in erasing all traces of itself when it is eventually uninstalled or upgraded.

Other software, however, is notorious not only for spewing data throughout the Registry, but also for leaving behind large amounts of digital debris when the software is removed. In fact, this behavior is sometimes intentional; many time-limited software trials, for example, deliberately leave behind special software "flags" that prevent you from using the software after the trial has expired, even if you remove and reinstall the software afresh.

Software crashes can leave behind messy Registry entries, too, some of which may interfere with your ability to correct the problem. These orphan Registry entries may even prevent you from successfully reinstalling the software later.

Bogus data causes the Registry to grow needlessly in a condition sometimes referred to as "Registry bloat." A bloated Registry slows operation of your PC (because your operating system has to wade through the bad entries while seeking the good ones) and can lead to crashes.

In addition, nothing good can come from Registry entries that point to programs or DLLs that no longer exist on the PC.

If your PC is relatively new and you haven't changed its original configuration much, then Registry bloat isn't likely to be a major issue. But the longer your PC has been in service "” especially if you frequently add and remove hardware and software "” the more deadwood your Registry is likely to contain.

Software tinkerers, in particular "” people like me (and maybe like you!) who regularly try out new programs, experiment with shareware, or explore the more obscure settings of their setups "” are likely candidates for significant Registry bloat.

A good Registry cleaning tool will seek out and delete bogus entries. For example, such a tool can check to see that every program and file referenced in the Registry really exists in the location the Registry thinks it does. If the location is incorrect, the tool can update the Registry entry with the correct data. If the referenced program or file doesn't exist, the tool can delete the meaningless Registry entry.

A while ago, I tested and wrote about 10 different Registry cleaning tools in InformationWeek. I found jv16 PowerTools to be the best commercially available Registry Cleaner (there's a full-featured 30-day free trial available), and EasyCleaner to be the best free tool (though not as good as jv16 PowerTools).

I've tried other tools in the interim, but I still haven't seen anything that makes me want to change those recommendations. See the full article for information on how I tested the tools, and why I chose those two in particular.

The Registry is the heart of Windows, so it's not something you want to alter on a whim. But, if you use your PC as heavily as I use mine, then regular and routine Registry cleaning can help your system stay as fast and stable as when it was new.

As always, make a backup before altering your PC in any significant way!
Click to expand...

Regards - Charles

Johanna · 2007/03/01

But the longer your PC has been in service "” especially if you frequently add and remove hardware and software "” the more deadwood your Registry is likely to contain.

Software tinkerers, in particular "” people like me (and maybe like you!) who regularly try out new programs, experiment with shareware, or explore the more obscure settings of their setups "” are likely candidates for significant Registry bloat.
Click to expand...

I think Fred is saying some of us are going to play with the tools no matter what anyone says, and he is assuming we are a special breed who probably won't break their computers the process. He's not advising inexperienced people to go into the registry either.
Johanna

Dytrog · 2007/03/01

I had not really given it much thought. I do know I have ran regcure. I had quite a list of "bad" ? I didn't know what they were ! So I quarantined them. I found some programs would not work. I didn't know which quarantined object it was. just the date. so I restored all. still didn't work. I deleted regcure.

charlesvar · 2007/03/01

Dytrog said:

I found some programs would not work. I didn't know which quarantined object it was. just the date. so I restored all. still didn't work. I deleted regcure.
Click to expand...

Hi Dytrog,

You should have created a manual System Restore point to restore the registry/Windows files to or backed up the registry.

Part of the smart use of these tools, or any tool, is giving yourself the means to revert back to the status quo ante. Anyone not taking these steps is running a bigger risk than needs to be taken.

Regards - Charles

Dytrog · 2007/03/01

charlesvar said:

Hi Dytrog,

You should have created a manual System Restore point to restore the registry/Windows files to or backed up the registry.

Part of the smart use of these tools, or any tool, is giving yourself the means to revert back to the status quo ante. Anyone not taking these steps is running a bigger risk than needs to be taken.

Regards - Charles
Click to expand...

Yep I guess i just like learn by f'in up. i remember it then. if i do it right i'll forget and f up next time anyway

Log in or Sign up

XP Fixes Myth #1: Registry Cleaners

HumBug Well-Known Member

charlesvar Inactive Alumni

Johanna Inactive Alumni

Dytrog Inactive

charlesvar Inactive Alumni

Dytrog Inactive

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

XP Fixes Myth #1: Registry Cleaners

HumBug Well-Known Member

charlesvar Inactive Alumni

Johanna Inactive Alumni

Dytrog Inactive

charlesvar Inactive Alumni

Dytrog Inactive

Share This Page

Useful Searches