How safe is a registry cleaner?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gabriel Knight
  • Start date Start date
G

Gabriel Knight

Hi all, Im having problems with internet explorer 7, Ive used my norton to
do a registry clean but it dosnt get as many detectable errors in the
registry as some online programs do. One program said my system had about
400 errors, but it was a demo program and was unable to clean the entries.
Is this safe to use these programs as anything that changes the registry
cant be all that good or am I wrong? Is there any realy good cleaners that
are full programs for free on the web?

Thanks all
GK
 
Hi Gabriel Knight,

You asked: "Is there any realy good cleaners that
are full programs for free on the web?"
Click to expand...

The only good programs aren't free but do offer a 30-day Trial and have
a Rescue Center to undo all changes made. Not every program will please
everyone. Each program, has its believers and some people simply don't like
them for their own reasons.

TuneUp Utilities 2009 or 2010 has a 30-Day Free Trial and is fully
functional.

http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/ That is the link. Make
up your own mind.
 
In
Gabriel Knight said:
Hi all, Im having problems with internet explorer 7, Ive
used my norton to do a registry clean but it dosnt get as
many detectable errors in the registry as some online
programs do. One program said my system had about 400
errors, but it was a demo program and was unable to clean
the entries. Is this safe to use these programs as anything
that changes the registry cant be all that good or am I
wrong? Is there any realy good cleaners that are full
programs for free on the web?
Thanks all
GK
Click to expand...

As long as you've kept it updated, believe the mystery, unnamed Norton
program already on your machine. You don't mention what online scanners you
used, but keep in mind the junker sites, just like any other software can do
more harm than good if you aren't careful. Some will find problems and then
won't remove them for you unless you buy their programs; that's silly too
and worth nothing. Stick to reputable vendors for things like this, which
Norton is, as long as you keep it updated. If it can't be updated, it's too
old and you need to upgrade to a more current version.

What is the name of the Norton program you have, and what version?

The registry is not likely to be the cause of problems with IE7; what
problems, if any, did you find with the registry? What have you tried so far
besides a registry scan with Norton?
-- Uninstalle/Reinstalled IE7?
-- Is this something suddenly came up or has been there all along?

You really have to provide enough information for anyone to get close to a
good solution for you.

HTH,

Twayne`
 
In

As long as you've kept it updated, believe the mystery, unnamed Norton
program already on your machine. You don't mention what online scanners you
used, but keep in mind the junker sites, just like any other software cando
more harm than good if you aren't careful.  Some will find problems andthen
won't remove them for you unless you buy their programs; that's silly too
and worth nothing. Stick to reputable vendors for things like this, which
Norton is, as long as you keep it updated.  If it can't be updated, it's too
old and you need to upgrade to a more current version.

What is the name of the Norton program you have, and what version?

The registry is not likely to be the cause of problems with IE7; what
problems, if any, did you find with the registry? What have you tried so far
besides a registry scan with Norton?
-- Uninstalle/Reinstalled IE7?
-- Is this something suddenly came up or has been there all along?

You really have to provide enough information for anyone to get close to a
good solution for you.

HTH,

Twayne`
Click to expand...

You're still full of twaddle, twayne. You are as much use as a spare
prick at a gay wedding.
Still lurking and plagiarising from others who know, I see. No
original pearls of wisdom issuing from YOUR great gob, eh? Typical
twayne-twat chat. Piss off back to alt.knutz_iz_uz.org.
 
Spam!
thecreator said:
Hi Gabriel Knight,

You asked: "Is there any realy good cleaners that

The only good programs aren't free but do offer a 30-day Trial and have
a Rescue Center to undo all changes made. Not every program will please
everyone. Each program, has its believers and some people simply don't
like them for their own reasons.

TuneUp Utilities 2009 or 2010 has a 30-Day Free Trial and is fully
functional.

http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/ That is the link. Make
up your own mind.
Click to expand...
 
Gabriel Knight said this on 6/7/2010 9:30 AM:
Hi all, Im having problems with internet explorer 7, Ive used my norton to
do a registry clean but it dosnt get as many detectable errors in the
registry as some online programs do. One program said my system had about
400 errors, but it was a demo program and was unable to clean the entries.
Is this safe to use these programs as anything that changes the registry
cant be all that good or am I wrong? Is there any realy good cleaners that
are full programs for free on the web?

Thanks all
GK
Click to expand...

I like CCleaner (Crap Cleaner), it not only cleans IE cache and temp
files etc, but it does have a registry cleaner too. I'm not much into
playing with the registry but there are times for everything. CCleaner
will at least show you what it detects, back it up if you want to fix
them, or let you right click and jump to the entry via regedit to look
at the entry in more depth. I move programs on the start menu and it
points out path errors due to that. I can use this to edit the entry
to reflect the folder change. .... Okay, I'm anal, but it works, I'm
retired, and have the time.

Its a tool, like anything else, if you don't use it right or don't know
what you're doing, it can be harmful. A gun can do the same thing.
(they both could kill your computer! LOL).

Anyway, that's my opinion.
 
Ok all, im using Norton Internet Security 2010 that has Norton Utilities its
been updated and works fine but only detects some errors like about 20-30
files. Im not to sure about using any reg cleaners as from the ones Ive
tried in the past few days, has some how disabled some sounds for win xp eg:
when I click on a link there is no sound now and a couple of others. I dont
want to uninstall IE7 just yet to see if that works as im waiting 2 weeks to
do that. I did do a safe mode boot with networking enabled but I didnt want
to see if IE7 closes as I had no way to enable my Norton firewall as this
would be to unsafe. Is there a way to make a copy of the registry and then
do a reg clean and if problems occur can I use the backed up one?

Thanks
GK
 
Hi all, Im having problems with internet explorer 7, Ive used my norton to
do a registry clean but it dosnt get as many detectable errors in the
registry as some online programs do. One program said my system had about
400 errors, but it was a demo program and was unable to clean the entries.
Is this safe to use these programs as anything that changes the registry
cant be all that good or am I wrong? Is there any realy good cleaners that
are full programs for free on the web?

Thanks all
GK
Click to expand...

I've been working with MS products since DOS 1 days, and have thousands
of Windows computers under my control.

I would never run a "registry cleaner" on any of them.
 
How Safe? After using any one of them and you are not able to boot then you will
find out

Registry Cleaners are all snake oil remedies and that is all they are.

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

news:[email protected]...
 
Gabriel said:
Hi all, Im having problems with internet explorer 7, Ive used my norton to
do a registry clean but it dosnt get as many detectable errors in the
registry as some online programs do. One program said my system had about
400 errors, but it was a demo program and was unable to clean the entries.
Is this safe to use these programs as anything that changes the registry
cant be all that good or am I wrong? Is there any realy good cleaners that
are full programs for free on the web?

Thanks all
GK
Click to expand...


There's simply no such thing as a "good" registry cleaner, unless you
limit the meaning of the word "good" to "using it didn't tank my system
this time."

Why would you even think you'd ever need to clean your registry?
What specific *problems* were you actually experiencing (not some
program's bogus listing of imaginary problems) that you think can be
fixed by using a registry "cleaner?"

If you do have a problem that is rooted in the registry, it would
be far better to simply edit (after backing up, of course) only the
specific key(s) and/or value(s) that are causing the problem. After
all, why use a chainsaw when a scalpel will do the job? Additionally,
the manually changing of one or two registry entries is far less likely
to have the dire consequences of allowing an automated product to make
multiple changes simultaneously. The only thing needed to safely clean
your registry is knowledge and Regedit.exe.

The registry contains all of the operating system's "knowledge" of
the computer's hardware devices, installed software, the location of the
device drivers, and the computer's configuration. A misstep in the
registry can have severe consequences. One should not even turning
loose a poorly understood automated "cleaner," unless he is fully
confident that he knows *exactly* what is going to happen as a result of
each and every change.

Having repeatedly seen the results of inexperienced people using
automated registry "cleaners," I can only advise all but the most
experienced computer technicians (and/or hobbyists) to avoid them all.
Experience has shown me that such tools simply are not safe in the hands
of the inexperienced user. If you lack the knowledge and experience to
maintain your registry by yourself, then you also lack the knowledge and
experience to safely configure and use any automated registry cleaner,
no matter how safe they claim to be.

More importantly, no one has ever demonstrated that the use of an
automated registry "cleaner," particularly by an untrained,
inexperienced computer user, does any real good, whatsoever. There's
certainly been no empirical evidence offered to demonstrate that the use
of such products to "clean" WinXP's registry improves a computer's
performance or stability. Given the potential for harm, it's just not
worth the risk.

Granted, most registry "cleaners" won't cause problems each and
every time they're used, but the potential for harm is always there.
And, since no registry "cleaner" has ever been demonstrated to do any
good (think of them like treating the flu with chicken soup - there's no
real medicinal value, but it sometimes provides a warming placebo
effect), I always tell people that the risks far out-weigh the
non-existent benefits.

I will concede that a good registry *scanning* tool, in the hands
of an experienced and knowledgeable technician or hobbyist can be a
useful time-saving diagnostic tool, as long as it's not allowed to make
any changes automatically. But I really don't think that there are any
registry "cleaners" that are truly safe for the general public to use.
Experience has proven just the opposite: such tools simply are not safe
in the hands of the inexperienced user.

A little further reading on the subject:

Why I don't use registry cleaners
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=643

AumHa Forums • View topic - AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry
Cleaner?
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
GENERAL COMMENT ON SUBJECT

There are Microsoft MVPs that do not like any registry cleaners. Some
rant and post foaming-at-the-mouth comments on registry cleaners.

Microsoft MVPs are correct in their opinion that Registry Cleaners are
NOT a *necessity*.

But most *seem* to misconstrue what registry cleaner are for. And
there ARE sites that misrepresent registry cleaners.



1) Like ANY software, do not use or download from *promotional sites*
that are NOT the *publisher* of the software. These sites are like
the old sleaze "used card salesman." The software they offer is
likely to be a demo which is dangerous to run.


2) Registry cleaners should NOT be use to FIX a problem you have at
any time.

You should NOT RUN REGISTRY CLEANERS WHEN YOU HAVE OTHER MAJOR
PROBLEMS. Especially if you suspect you have a virus or other
malware.

Registry cleaners will not speed-up your system.

(This is the primary reason that *promotional sites* are bad, because
the offer a registry cleaner to fix a problem you have or speed up
your system)


3) Registry cleaners ARE *preventative* maintained tools, that clean
up Registry entries that MAY cause problems in the *future*.

This is similar to running Disk Cleanup (System Tools menu), cleaning
your Temporary Internet Files, and other tools that help keep your
system in the best condition.



I use (for years), and recommend registry cleaners for:

- Removing entries left behind in the Registry by *poorly written*
software uninstallers (run via link or Add/Remove Programs)

- Removing Registry entries for any file that no longer exists



A "good" registry cleaner? Here's my list:

- Scans Registry for problem then presents you with a detailed list
BEFORE cleaning.

Then you decide what you want to clean or cancel the operation.

- IMPORTANT, performs a backup the listed entries BEFORE cleaning
them, AND includes a way to recover them if need be.

(note that this is another problem with using registry cleaners from
*promotional sites* because the download they offer is a demo that may
not include the backup feature)

Just carefully review the specs of any Registry Cleaner and ALL its
features. Never use a demo.


Again I stress, Registry Cleaners are NOT for fixing an existing
problem.
 
You were doing great until you said 'registry cleaners ARE preventive
maintenance tools' that clean up registry entries
that may cause problems in the future. If they erroneously 'clean up' an
entry you have a problem immediately.
 
Tecknomage said:
I use (for years), and recommend registry cleaners for:

- Removing entries left behind in the Registry by *poorly written*
software uninstallers (run via link or Add/Remove Programs)

- Removing Registry entries for any file that no longer exists
Click to expand...

You didn't answer my question the last time I asked, so here it is
again:

What specific, concrete benefits have you noticed to date by doing the
above?

It is very rare that leftover registry entries cause *any* problems
whatsoever. Attempting to remove them is probably safe (as long as the
person doing this is knowledgeable), but one runs an unnecessary risk of
causing trouble by doing so. Therefore, since the risk of damage is
higher in running these utlities (albeit a relatively small risk,
admittedly), it is recommended to leave well enough alone.
 
Amen!
Daave said:
You didn't answer my question the last time I asked, so here it is again:

What specific, concrete benefits have you noticed to date by doing the
above?

It is very rare that leftover registry entries cause *any* problems
whatsoever. Attempting to remove them is probably safe (as long as the
person doing this is knowledgeable), but one runs an unnecessary risk of
causing trouble by doing so. Therefore, since the risk of damage is higher
in running these utlities (albeit a relatively small risk, admittedly), it
is recommended to leave well enough alone.
Click to expand...
 
Tecknomage said:
GENERAL COMMENT ON SUBJECT

There are Microsoft MVPs that do not like any registry cleaners. Some
rant and post foaming-at-the-mouth comments on registry cleaners.

Microsoft MVPs are correct in their opinion that Registry Cleaners are
NOT a *necessity*.

But most *seem* to misconstrue what registry cleaner are for. And
there ARE sites that misrepresent registry cleaners.



1) Like ANY software, do not use or download from *promotional sites*
that are NOT the *publisher* of the software. These sites are like
the old sleaze "used card salesman." The software they offer is
likely to be a demo which is dangerous to run.


2) Registry cleaners should NOT be use to FIX a problem you have at
any time.

You should NOT RUN REGISTRY CLEANERS WHEN YOU HAVE OTHER MAJOR
PROBLEMS. Especially if you suspect you have a virus or other
malware.

Registry cleaners will not speed-up your system.

(This is the primary reason that *promotional sites* are bad, because
the offer a registry cleaner to fix a problem you have or speed up
your system)


3) Registry cleaners ARE *preventative* maintained tools, that clean
up Registry entries that MAY cause problems in the *future*.
Click to expand...

Let's see some documented proof of that specific assertion.
This is similar to running Disk Cleanup (System Tools menu), cleaning
your Temporary Internet Files, and other tools that help keep your
system in the best condition.
Click to expand...

No, it is not similar to that.
 
Tecknomage said:
3) Registry cleaners ARE *preventative* maintained tools, that clean
up Registry entries that MAY cause problems in the *future*.
Click to expand...


Citation? Please provided documented reports of repeatable experiments
from independent laboratories that verify this.

Otherwise, you're no better than the fool who wear's a tin foil hat to
keep aliens away, and when told that there are no aliens around, says "See?"




--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
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