Holy Cow!

I installed Incredimail over the Holidays to send a few emails, and it really wasn't that bad a program. However, I just uninstalled using Revo on advanced mode and it left behind over 2900 registry entries.

Media Monkey left over 1500

Arcsoft PhotoStudio 10

Paint.NET 4


Would it be wise to defrag my registry? I only use windows defragger

 

I have tried defraging my registry a couple of times after major events (i.e. massive uninstalls, os installation, etc.) and have not found any significant load times or speed increases. I would categorize it the same thing as defragmenting your ram, useless. If you feel you may want to try it, I would suggest Registry Mechanic as it is one of the best reg programs out there.

 

Most registry programs are crap.

 

I just defragged using TuneXP. Not sure if it made any difference but the deed is done.

 

tune xp does not defrag the registry

 

Defragging the registry won't net any noticeable increases in performance.

TuneXP's defrag options use nothing more than Windows Disk Defragmenter. Some of the features it uses from Windows Disk Defragmenter can only be accessed via a command prompt. Nonetheless, it is sufficient to just run Windows Disk Defragmenter rather than use TuneXP.

 

Shows how much I know. Maybe I'll dump TuneXP while I'm cleaning house.

 

Hey, its a great application, you just needed to use something else. Each app holds importance for its focus.

 

the registry is a database, and like any database adding and removing "records" (what occurs when you add and remove software) doesn't really gain you a great deal or harm you much...what it does is leave little spaces in the registry, which leads to an infintesimal increase in loading/access.

Now, if you are an absolute install freak and install and remove a ton of programs, you can compact the registry using a tool like NTREGOPT, but I find it doesn't gain you a lot.

The most frequently fragmented registry hive is the user hive (ntuser.dat). If you really want to increase performance and don't feel like reinstalling Windows, the quickest way to regain some zip is to create a new user account and then move all your data files to it.

 

Actually I've tested registry compacting on both my XP and Vista pc's. After updating many drivers/ installing programs on Vista my boot became horribly long. Consistent boots of 1 minute or so with about 11 green loading bars. I then compacted the registry and my next reboot dropped down to 6 green loading bars. Fox XP, since I hardly turn my pc off, I don't notice how long my boot up is, but for testing purposes I tried it out, and my boot up was pretty fast already, about 4 loading bars. After compacting registry, 1 loading bar. My welcome screens are pretty much instant, shows then goes.

 

You of course forgot to add the all important caveat--milleage may vary

 

Millage?? You mean registry compacting might cause my property taxes to go up (or down, I suppose that's the full meaning of "vary")?

 

Don't forget ccleaner. Though, it's true. Results aren't really apparent. It's more like a ritual than anything else.