Should I compact registry files?

I'm currently running Vista Home Premium and I was using Registry Mechanic to clean up my registry. I noticed there's a button for compacting the registry. I was wondering if this is the same thing as the windows file compression, except it's just for registry? I understand it's not a good idea to compress files due to various reasons, but does the same apply for registry files? Is it a good idea to compact the registry files? I searched many places and didn't come up with any answers. I hope to have this answered here.

 

used to use this, it goes into detail about "registry compacting":
http://www.abxzone.com/abx_reviews/al/registry.html

but i personally no longer practice using it - minimum gain vs possibility to kill ur comp, ain't worth it

cheers ...

 

I've used it, I've gone without using it.. Did not notice any difference whatsoever, there's really no point in doing it.

 

I used the registry compaction of RegSupreme on my Vista Home Premium this past week. I did not check the before and after sizes, so I don't know how much it did, but it did not adversely affect my PC, either. Don't see much point in doing it, regardless of how done, on a regular interval or all that often.

 

I have also seen no effects from doing so.

 

From all the replies, I'm not gonna compact the registry. Thanks!

 

I used registry compaction of TuneUp Utilities. It often compacts the registry to a size 10% smaller. I never got a problem from it. I did not get a dramatic performance improvement either. However, if small performance improvement adds up, it will become a big one?

 

It's good to know that even though nobody's gotten any improvements, they also never got any ill effects