registry cleaner

  • Thread starter Thread starter Karen F
  • Start date Start date
The said:
The following is a quote from PC World:
"The Registry: Windows' collection of settings, instructions, and mistakes
grows more unwieldy over time, increasing your PC's processing overhead (a
bloated Registry also raises the likelihood of other system problems).
Cleaning it out every so often is a good idea--although an imperfect one. No
Registry cleaning program I know of gets every nook and cranny."
A quote from The Elder Geek: "and registries that are so bloated with junk
that it's a miracle the systems even boot."

There are hundreds more from those with the intelligence to know.
Click to expand...

Well, you're welcome to do as you like, but I'll trust the opinions --
based upon results of my own years of experience and observation (and
those of others who support computers for a living) -- over the opinions
of those who merely read and write about computers.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Edward said:
Do we assume your advice not to use 'Registry Cleaners' extends to programs
like AdAware and Spybot?
Click to expand...

A good question, but no, you cannot assume this.
These 'malware' cleaning program also remove
entries from the Registry.
Click to expand...

Not automatically, and only those registry entries of known malware
products. I have yet to encounter, in the field, a problem caused by
Ad-Aware or Spybot S&D.
Your consistent criticism of Registry Cleaners as a group seems to indicate
your own lack of experience than to that of others.
Click to expand...

Not at all. I base my opinion on years of experience cleaning up after
people who use such products blindly.

I suspect the risk of
damage to the Registry by "inexperienced people" is far greater when
'manually' removing entries than by using a third party Registry Cleaner as
these programs usually if not always backup the Registry before making
changes,
Click to expand...

Any numbers, or actual field experience/observations to support your
suspicion?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
johnf,

I use both of these.
NT Registry Optimizer
ERUNT The Emergency Recovery Utility NT
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/

I manually clean my registry and use EasyCleaner. EasyCleaner finds invalid
entries and it's easier using it than manually looking for these entries.
It's one thing to F3 when you have something your searching for. But F3
does no good with Find what blank. I use EasyCleaner as a search tool. It
also has the option to create UNDO-files, saved as *.reg files.

The registry can be filled with all kinds of worthless entries. I am amazed
at some of the crap that finds it way in there.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
johnf said:
Hey Wes,
I don't think you read my post thoroughly.
I mentioned the Registry size to bring into perspective the miniscule
size of it compared to the overall amt. of data on your average O.S.
& only exported it so I could check its properties to use accurate
figures for my post :-)

Therefore, I'll say - "no it didn't help & I've let you know"
(HTH)

--

johnf
[[Note: The "Export registry" function in Regedit is USELESS (!) to
make a complete backup of the registry. Neither does it export the
whole registry (for example, no information from the "SECURITY" hive
is saved), nor can the exported file be used later to replace the
current registry with the old one. Instead, if you re-import the
file, it is merged with the current registry, leaving you with an
absolute mess of old and new registry keys.]]
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/erunt.txt

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
johnf said:
In Ken Blake <[email protected]> typed:

In Karen F <[email protected]> typed:

Is a registry cleaner needed with Windows XP. I have a
program
called Easy Cleaner but I thought there may be a better one,
assuming
one is needed. Thanks.


My view is that, in any version of Windows, the risk of a
registry cleaner screwing up the registry is much greater than
any possible benefit of using it. You're better off without any
of them.

I'm not advocating. I just don't understand;

What's the 'risk' in running one, so long as you (or the tool)
set a restore point first?

And what's the 'reward' for having a whole slew of entries in your
registry pointing to nowhere?

Bill

For get about the risk; there is no reward. The question is, "how
do a whole slew of unresolved registry entries affect computer
performance?" The answer is, "Not at all."

I totally agree. I have quite a few hefty programs on my main drive
- ~ 18GB, but if I export my Registry, it uses a total of only
108MB. Therefore ther's no space-saving by "tidying up your
Registry". Performance-wise it also has no noticeable effect.

The only program I do run is RegSupreme http://www.macecraft.com/ &
for one reason only.
It irratates me that every time you - for example - uninstall a
program; copy something to your Desktop, then move it elsewhere,
delete it or whatever, it retains that information in the Registry.
No performance advantage is gained in removing those keys, but I
just can't see the point in having something there doing nothing.

I've used that program for over a year, initially, I carefully
triple-checked each & every entry it found before I even
contemplated removing (quarantining) it via RegSupreme, but it
didn't take me long to discover that each entry found was a legit
"does not exist" type of key. Now I just run & quarantine
everything it finds without bothering to check them - usually
50-100 keys per day.

Sure, I'm a perfectionist in several areas, but that sort of thing
just bugs me, so I regularly spend a couple of clean-up minutes &
run it.

No way would I use ANY other so-called Registry Cleaner software, as
too many have built-in potential dangers which eventually will
probably mean a system restore at the best. One thing for sure, if
you have a tidy Registry to begin with, it will not effect your PC's
performance, just help to fill the coffers of a multitude of
Cleaner-type programmers who in most cases don't want to know you if
you create a disaster from their program.

<end of saga>
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Thanks, Wes, I'll check that all out & experiment with them - my philosophy
is find the best, safest & most simplistic to use - & stick with it.


--

johnf
johnf,

I use both of these.
NT Registry Optimizer
ERUNT The Emergency Recovery Utility NT
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/

I manually clean my registry and use EasyCleaner. EasyCleaner finds
invalid entries and it's easier using it than manually looking for
these entries. It's one thing to F3 when you have something your
searching for. But F3 does no good with Find what blank. I use
EasyCleaner as a search tool. It also has the option to create
UNDO-files, saved as *.reg files.

The registry can be filled with all kinds of worthless entries. I am
amazed at some of the crap that finds it way in there.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
johnf said:
Hey Wes,
I don't think you read my post thoroughly.
I mentioned the Registry size to bring into perspective the miniscule
size of it compared to the overall amt. of data on your average O.S.
& only exported it so I could check its properties to use accurate
figures for my post :-)

Therefore, I'll say - "no it didn't help & I've let you know"
(HTH)

--

johnf
[[Note: The "Export registry" function in Regedit is USELESS (!) to
make a complete backup of the registry. Neither does it export the
whole registry (for example, no information from the "SECURITY" hive
is saved), nor can the exported file be used later to replace the
current registry with the old one. Instead, if you re-import the
file, it is merged with the current registry, leaving you with an
absolute mess of old and new registry keys.]]
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/erunt.txt

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In johnf <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
In Ken Blake <[email protected]> typed:

In Karen F <[email protected]> typed:

Is a registry cleaner needed with Windows XP. I have a
program
called Easy Cleaner but I thought there may be a better one,
assuming
one is needed. Thanks.


My view is that, in any version of Windows, the risk of a
registry cleaner screwing up the registry is much greater than
any possible benefit of using it. You're better off without any
of them.

I'm not advocating. I just don't understand;

What's the 'risk' in running one, so long as you (or the tool)
set a restore point first?

And what's the 'reward' for having a whole slew of entries in your
registry pointing to nowhere?

Bill

For get about the risk; there is no reward. The question is, "how
do a whole slew of unresolved registry entries affect computer
performance?" The answer is, "Not at all."

I totally agree. I have quite a few hefty programs on my main drive
- ~ 18GB, but if I export my Registry, it uses a total of only
108MB. Therefore ther's no space-saving by "tidying up your
Registry". Performance-wise it also has no noticeable effect.

The only program I do run is RegSupreme http://www.macecraft.com/ &
for one reason only.
It irratates me that every time you - for example - uninstall a
program; copy something to your Desktop, then move it elsewhere,
delete it or whatever, it retains that information in the Registry.
No performance advantage is gained in removing those keys, but I
just can't see the point in having something there doing nothing.

I've used that program for over a year, initially, I carefully
triple-checked each & every entry it found before I even
contemplated removing (quarantining) it via RegSupreme, but it
didn't take me long to discover that each entry found was a legit
"does not exist" type of key. Now I just run & quarantine
everything it finds without bothering to check them - usually
50-100 keys per day.

Sure, I'm a perfectionist in several areas, but that sort of thing
just bugs me, so I regularly spend a couple of clean-up minutes &
run it.

No way would I use ANY other so-called Registry Cleaner software, as
too many have built-in potential dangers which eventually will
probably mean a system restore at the best. One thing for sure, if
you have a tidy Registry to begin with, it will not effect your PC's
performance, just help to fill the coffers of a multitude of
Cleaner-type programmers who in most cases don't want to know you if
you create a disaster from their program.

<end of saga>
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Bruce Chambers said:
Edward W. Thompson wrote:
snip


Not at all. I base my opinion on years of experience cleaning up after
people who use such products blindly.



Any numbers, or actual field experience/observations to support your
suspicion?
Click to expand...
I don't have numbers and I strongly suspect, neither do you. You appear to
make simple assertions based upon your claimed experience. As we all know
there is both good and bad experience :-). Clearly experience is
unquantifiable with respect to quality and it doesn't substitute for
knowledge but augments knowledge. You claim to have experience but do you
have knowledge of this subject? I think not.

You and those others who so strongly warn against the use of 'registry
cleaners', have not yet produced a single piece of evidence to support your
claim of the inherent danger of using 'registry cleaners' that relate to
this class of software as a group. I fully accept that the value of
'registry cleaners' is debateable and also accept that under certain
circumstances they may give rise to a problem but that possibility exists
each time any program makes and entry or a deletion to the Registry.
Fortunately these problems are not systematic and are not solely related to
'registry cleaners'.

With respect to my suspicions, I would have thought that the dangers of
modifying the Registry without the necessary knowledge i.e. lack of
experience, would be self evident and not require justification but perhaps
in your 'experience' that is not so.

As a question what is 'field' experience and on the assumption I have
considerable field experience, whatever you think that means, does that
make my view on this subject any more or less valid?

Methinks you are full of bluster sir.
 
Try snipping out the the bullshit, typing errors, double Dutch such as "I
don't have numbers and I strongly suspect, neither do you", which is pure
remote hypothesis, - try doing some research for a change before you assert
any such assumptions, then back it up on this thread with fact; BTW, run
your Spelllchecker (if you're really serious about making a point).

Referring to - "> As a question what is 'field' experience and on the
assumption I have considerable field experience, whatever you think that
means, does that make my view on this subject any more or less valid?" <

[check your editing, intelligible English & punctuation on the above par for
fun.]

Well, actually, it makes your comment much less valid if you can't follow
Bruce's advice, who is someone without a doubt & as just proven, much, much
more experienced than you, also (which I'm sure you would have observed, as
most of us regulars have if you're a regular follower of this NG), have seen
the sound advice Bruce has given in the past [unless you're a dyslectic
speed-reader].

Now you may <sic> bluster on further if you feel inclined.
 
johnf,

Sounds like a plan to me. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
johnf said:
Thanks, Wes, I'll check that all out & experiment with them - my
philosophy is find the best, safest & most simplistic to use - &
stick with it.


--

johnf
johnf,

I use both of these.
NT Registry Optimizer
ERUNT The Emergency Recovery Utility NT
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/

I manually clean my registry and use EasyCleaner. EasyCleaner finds
invalid entries and it's easier using it than manually looking for
these entries. It's one thing to F3 when you have something your
searching for. But F3 does no good with Find what blank. I use
EasyCleaner as a search tool. It also has the option to create
UNDO-files, saved as *.reg files.

The registry can be filled with all kinds of worthless entries. I am
amazed at some of the crap that finds it way in there.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
johnf said:
Hey Wes,
I don't think you read my post thoroughly.
I mentioned the Registry size to bring into perspective the
miniscule size of it compared to the overall amt. of data on your
average O.S. & only exported it so I could check its properties to
use accurate figures for my post :-)

Therefore, I'll say - "no it didn't help & I've let you know"
(HTH)

--

johnf

[[Note: The "Export registry" function in Regedit is USELESS (!) to
make a complete backup of the registry. Neither does it export the
whole registry (for example, no information from the "SECURITY"
hive is saved), nor can the exported file be used later to replace
the current registry with the old one. Instead, if you re-import
the file, it is merged with the current registry, leaving you with
an absolute mess of old and new registry keys.]]
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/erunt.txt

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In johnf <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
In Ken Blake <[email protected]> typed:

In Karen F <[email protected]> typed:

Is a registry cleaner needed with Windows XP. I have a
program
called Easy Cleaner but I thought there may be a better one,
assuming
one is needed. Thanks.


My view is that, in any version of Windows, the risk of a
registry cleaner screwing up the registry is much greater than
any possible benefit of using it. You're better off without any
of them.

I'm not advocating. I just don't understand;

What's the 'risk' in running one, so long as you (or the tool)
set a restore point first?

And what's the 'reward' for having a whole slew of entries in
your registry pointing to nowhere?

Bill

For get about the risk; there is no reward. The question is, "how
do a whole slew of unresolved registry entries affect computer
performance?" The answer is, "Not at all."

I totally agree. I have quite a few hefty programs on my main
drive - ~ 18GB, but if I export my Registry, it uses a total of
only 108MB. Therefore ther's no space-saving by "tidying up your
Registry". Performance-wise it also has no noticeable effect.

The only program I do run is RegSupreme http://www.macecraft.com/
& for one reason only.
It irratates me that every time you - for example - uninstall a
program; copy something to your Desktop, then move it elsewhere,
delete it or whatever, it retains that information in the
Registry. No performance advantage is gained in removing those
keys, but I just can't see the point in having something there
doing nothing.

I've used that program for over a year, initially, I carefully
triple-checked each & every entry it found before I even
contemplated removing (quarantining) it via RegSupreme, but it
didn't take me long to discover that each entry found was a legit
"does not exist" type of key. Now I just run & quarantine
everything it finds without bothering to check them - usually
50-100 keys per day.

Sure, I'm a perfectionist in several areas, but that sort of thing
just bugs me, so I regularly spend a couple of clean-up minutes &
run it.

No way would I use ANY other so-called Registry Cleaner software,
as too many have built-in potential dangers which eventually will
probably mean a system restore at the best. One thing for sure, if
you have a tidy Registry to begin with, it will not effect your
PC's performance, just help to fill the coffers of a multitude of
Cleaner-type programmers who in most cases don't want to know you
if you create a disaster from their program.

<end of saga>
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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