Resolved AVG PC Analyzer and Tuneup question

bellisimo · 2013/02/03

I've been using AVG's purchased Internet security for a couple of years and I've been quite happy with it. I decided to run its PC Analyzer just now and it found a lot of registry errors and junk files and rated them in the high end of the severity scale.

My question is, should I trust their software to fix these errors, or just not bother? I'm not having any problems other than AVG telling me, when I'm surfing, that My computer is using too much memory, which I just ignore.

Thank you,

bellisimo

MrBill · 2013/02/03

To much memory could be from to many programs loading at startup. How much RAM do you have?

Evan Omo · 2013/02/04

Hi bellisimo.

My question is, should I trust their software to fix these errors, or just not bother? I'm not having any problems other than AVG telling me, when I'm surfing, that My computer is using too much memory, which I just ignore.
Click to expand...

No, you should not remove any registry entries unless you know what you are doing. I do not recommend running registry cleaners since if you remove one wrong entry you could destroy your OS and prevent it from working properly. Removing registry entries will not speed up your computer and unless you have a specific problem that can be fixed by removing invalid registry entries, you should leave the registry alone.

The fact that the program is rating these so called registry errors as critical problems is deceptive and ludicrous. The program is trying to scare you into fixing these so called errors which don't negatively affect your computer in any way.

Registry cleaners/optimizers are not recommended for several reasons:

Registry cleaners are extremely powerful applications that can damage the registry by using aggressive cleaning routines and cause your computer to become unbootable.

The Windows registry is a central repository (database) for storing configuration data, user settings and machine-dependent settings, and options for the operating system. It contains information and settings for all hardware, software, users, and preferences. Whenever a user makes changes to settings, file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in this repository. The registry is a crucial component because it is where Windows "remembers" all this information, how it works together, how Windows boots the system and what files it uses when it does. The registry is also a vulnerable subsystem, in that relatively small changes done incorrectly can render the system inoperable. For a more detailed explanation, read Understanding The Registry.

Not all registry cleaners are created equal. There are a number of them available but they do not all work entirely the same way. Each vendor uses different criteria as to what constitutes a "bad entry ". One cleaner may find entries on your system that will not cause problems when removed, another may not find the same entries, and still another may want to remove entries required for a program to work.

Not all registry cleaners create a backup of the registry before making changes. If the changes prevent the system from booting up, then there is no backup available to restore it in order to regain functionality. A backup of the registry is essential BEFORE making any changes to the registry.

Improperly removing registry entries can hamper malware disinfection and make the removal process more difficult if your computer becomes infected. For example, removing malware related registry entries before the infection is properly identified can contribute to system instability and even make the malware undetectable to removal tools.

The usefulness of cleaning the registry is highly overrated and can be dangerous. In most cases, using a cleaner to remove obsolete, invalid, and erroneous entries does not affect system performance but it can result in "unpredictable results ".

Unless you have a particular problem that requires a registry edit to correct it, I would suggest you leave the registry alone. Using registry cleaning tools unnecessarily or incorrectly could lead to disastrous effects on your operating system such as preventing it from ever starting again. For routine use, the benefits to your computer are negligible while the potential risks are great.

Ed Bott's Webog: Why I don't use registry cleaners.

Do I need a Registry Cleaner?

Click to expand...

bellisimo · 2013/02/04

Hi MrBill,

No, it's not too many programs loading at startup. I keep a close eye on that. I have 3 GB of RAM. It usually happens when I have two or three different things open like a YouTube video and maybe a couple of websites. It has never caused any problems, so far anyway.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

bellisimo

bellisimo · 2013/02/04

Hi Evan,

Thanks for taking the time to reply and for the added information. I was pretty sure it would be a bad idea to use any kind of registry fix. It seems awfully risky to trust a software program to make those kinds of decisions without inviting potentially serious problems.

Thanks for the advice,

bellisimo

MrBill · 2013/02/04

Hi bellisimo

I am so glad that you asked before you did anything. Most people would just jump in with both feet then be on here asking what went wrong and spend countless hours trying to fix it. YOU DONE GOOD.

Evan Omo · 2013/02/04

Your Welcome.

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Resolved AVG PC Analyzer and Tuneup question

bellisimo Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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Resolved AVG PC Analyzer and Tuneup question

bellisimo Well-Known Member Thread Starter

MrBill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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