Registry monitor and cleaner

  • Thread starter Thread starter JimmyJam
  • Start date Start date
J

JimmyJam

I would like to find a single util, but if there isnt a single one, here's
what I need.

1) a program that will delete and/or create a hierarchy in the
registry. i.e. category and all its various values

2) a program to watch the registry during a program's installation and the
ability to restore the registry to its previous state -- i.e. wiping out
evidence of the installation.

Why? I sometimes need to install a program in a lab, use it, and then get
the machine back to its previous condition. No copywrite violation
involved -- just trying to keep a public lab's machines clean.
 
JimmyJam said:
I would like to find a single util, but if there isnt a single one,
here's what I need.

1) a program that will delete and/or create a hierarchy in the
registry. i.e. category and all its various values

2) a program to watch the registry during a program's installation and
the ability to restore the registry to its previous state -- i.e.
wiping out evidence of the installation.

Why? I sometimes need to install a program in a lab, use it, and then
get the machine back to its previous condition. No copywrite
violation involved -- just trying to keep a public lab's machines
clean.
Click to expand...

Sounds like Test-Run would be perfect for you. It works on Win 9X
though.

Test-Run is "foolproof" for keeping your registry pristine. But
installing programs adds other things besides reg entries, so programs
that just deal with the registry won't help you out there.


Test-Run
http://dogkennels.gq.nu/testrun/

Some programs that you install may import values into the Registry that
overwrite the original settings. Even if the programs are uninstalled,
you may not get the Registry back to original. Test-Run provides a
separate Registry especially for testing trial programs. After testing a
program, you can switch back to your normal Registry and install it, or
uninstall it before switching back. The program easy to use, and
provides you with a visual reminder when you have the special test
Registry in place.
 
I would like to find a single util, but if there isnt a single one, here's
what I need.

1) a program that will delete and/or create a hierarchy in the
registry. i.e. category and all its various values

2) a program to watch the registry during a program's installation and the
ability to restore the registry to its previous state -- i.e. wiping out
evidence of the installation.

Why? I sometimes need to install a program in a lab, use it, and then get
the machine back to its previous condition. No copywrite violation
involved -- just trying to keep a public lab's machines clean.
Click to expand...

Maybe WinPatrol lite. It has a stupid barking dog, but you can turn it off.
It notifies you of any registry startup additions, browser additions, etc.

Once the program is installed, you can simply copy the EXE file and
un-install the program. The small EXE file can be run from anywhere.

Bob

Remove "kins" from address to reply.
 
JimmyJam said:
I would like to find a single util, but if there isnt a single one, here's
what I need.

1) a program that will delete and/or create a hierarchy in the
registry. i.e. category and all its various values

2) a program to watch the registry during a program's installation and the
ability to restore the registry to its previous state -- i.e. wiping out
evidence of the installation.

Why? I sometimes need to install a program in a lab, use it, and then get
the machine back to its previous condition. No copywrite violation
involved -- just trying to keep a public lab's machines clean.
Click to expand...

Given your purpose, the solution Jason posted in a followup sounds ideal.
<[email protected]>

Although, as he indicated, you'd have to consider which Win OS involved.
If you're dealing with later Windows, Total Uninstall (pricelessware.org)
should serve you. It doesn't have to be used to strictly to monitor an
installer. You can take the "before" snapshot whenever, and then the
"after" snapshot hours or days later. Then tell it "uninstall," and it
will revert the registry, and remove files.

Questions (1) and (2) taken *separately* from your purpose would have their
own answers. If you regularly want to have certain keys deleted, you can
use a regedit command in conjuction with .reg files (in ie a batch file).
Or you can use reg.exe that is distributed with the resource kits. To know
which keys you want deleted, you would use a registry monitor. TUN in this
role. Or InstallWatch. Or an Inctrl5 replacement, such as Regshot. This can
get involved, setting up what you want done there. A project only for when
you have very specific keys to systematically kill, and want to meanwhile
retain other ongoing registry changes. The circumstance you outlined, a
lab where you want no ongoing changes kept anyway, that is simpler. All
you need is something to let you run under a temporary registry, or else
to let you "go back in time"/revert to previous state.

Actually, about the lab. What is your role there? Just an end user? Or
if you are more involved, you should consider giving the decision-makers
a good talk about setting up systematic drive image restoratiosn. Such
that the machines always restore to a set state, each day, or each boot.
(If user files are allowed to be stored, then more complicate, but can
still be arranged.)
 
I _do_ need to run under XP Pro, so while this prog seems perfect, I don't
think it will work.

Perhaps I can test it right before a planned restoration so if it doesnt
work, I don't cause the admin any extra work.
 
Because of the OS, I am going to need to use TUN. I was hoping for some
help from the program in creating the .reg files, but if the program
handles everything, then I guess I dont need to do it.

As for my role, I am an instructor in the labs. In one lab, they don't
monitor installations, but I obviously don't want to cause problems with
their programs. In another lab, everything is monitored, so I would need
to explain what I was doing and why.
 
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