registry clean up tools recommendation

What registry tools do people recommend? This to me is easily the biggest pain about Windows computers, consistently slowing the computer down. I have been told to just reload the OS periodically, but that wipes out the software and I have to reload it (and occasionally have lost the discs). But I gather there are good registry cleaning/repair tools. What do people recommend? Thanks.

 

Some people here dislike using registry cleanup tools. That said, I use CC Cleaner and it works well for me. Glary Utilities is another favorite.

 

As he said, you're gonna get hate for wanting to use one. The fact is that registry cleaners can cause a lot more harm than good...

that said, I use CCleaner and only really run it after I uninstall programs to fix MUID mismatches OR if I am removing a virus.

 

I've read CCleaner's registry cleaner isn't as thorough as other reg cleaners, which makes it safer to use.

 

What do you mean more 'harm' than good? I use CCleaner a lot...

 

None. These "tools" are a complete waste of time and disk space. At best, they perform no useful function at all, but they can do significant damage at worst.

No idea what it is you could be talking about. The idea that Windows computers are slowed down by accumulated junk in the registry is nothing but a silly fairytale. No modern Windows machine is slowed down by anything that a registry cleaner can fix. People who rehash this old-wives tale have simply no clue what they are talking about.

 

Registry cleaners have the ability to delete registry keys taht can absolutely trash your computer.

Whlie I agree with this 90% you have to realize that registry cleaners can be used for:
Reinstalling programs (uninstalling and deleting registry keys is sometimes necessary if the program is a free trial or whatever)

Removing viruses/ virus damage.

Otherwise, yeah... registry cleaners don't really do anything.

 

"No idea what it is you could be talking about. The idea that Windows computers are slowed down by accumulated junk in the registry is nothing but a silly fairytale. No modern Windows machine is slowed down by anything that a registry cleaner can fix. People who rehash this old-wives tale have simply no clue what they are talking about. "

I'd align with this also.

Renee

 

Try jv16 Powertools 2010

 

I admit that I hold on to this so-called myth. Are there any good articles that explain why it isn't true?

 

Well, perhaps I have fallen for an urban legend. What is my consistant experience, is that Windows computers slow down over time, even after defragging. I has heard this was due to the way the registry worked. No so? If not, why the consistant slow down?

 

This is, what MS thinks about "Registry Cleaners":

Are registry cleaners necessary?

Most important:

Most likely it's the stuff running in the background

Michael

 

i too agree like 90% there was a time when registry cleaners actually helped....back when computers were a hell of a lot slower. I used CCleaner on my old nc8000 laptop...it needed the help. I noticed a small difference with using it back than.(note it was a P4 1.6Ghz) That thing was so slow and out dated any little bit made the thing run alot smoother...but with how fast PCs are now...its a trival benefit. I manly use them to delete history and just clean my registry once in a great while....after like 3 months i got like pages of registry junk lol. Also i have never seen them cause me one bit of a problem. I would say for a normal user don't waste your time but if your a big anti-NSA freak like me i like to do a 3 wipes of free space every month or so ^^

 

Are there any that explain why it is?

Gary

 

the only registry value that slow down your computer are those that affect your program loaded on boot and these can be corrected with msconfig

 

CCleaner helped me a lot in correcting file type registry associations.

Right clicking a file type to open with a specific program doesn't work in Windows when you have multiple versions of the same program (ex: AutoCAD).

 

it work for me as long as both aplication don,t over write the registering of the previous one

 

I suppose that that is what I'm asking.

 

I know, but I just couldn't resist the opportunity to tweak ya just a bit.

Gary

 

Registry cleaners are only good if you've screwed up an installation or something else OR if you have a virus.

They're not going to help you with anything speed-wise.

 

"The only way to clean a compromised system is to flatten and rebuild." source: Microsoft

Michael

 

What's the Registry, Should I Clean It, and What's the Point?

 

So when you download a trojan you format your hard drive? Good for you... I'll remove it and clean up with ccleaner...

 

The problem with almost any operating system is that once it is compromised and cleaned, you cannot trust that the malware is no longer running. Rootkits are a perfect example of this problem.

I've only ever encountered two viruses on my desktop system, but I've always opted to do a system restore or use a simple backup image.

 

Rootkits are not common viruses... at all. 90% of spyware is an old and VERY outdated virus that's been modified by amateurs. Most of it can be removed very simply, thoroughly, and completely just as a program can be.

If you're reformatting/ system restoring every time you get a virus (hopefully that's not too often) I'd sa you're paranoid, though it varies depending on which virus you get.

Frankly, if you identify the virus there's absolutely no reason to do a restore... identifying the virus is 99% of removing it.

 

What you say is true, but the fact is that most people don't want to spend the time researching how to identify and remove a virus themselves. Although it is a more targeted solution, it is still a lot more work than doing a system restore or slapping on a new image overnight.

 

In my opinion the time it takes to identify the virus (of course this really depends on the virus) usually isn't as long as it would take me to restore/ reformat and get my windows back to the way I like it.

You d on't even always have to know the specific virus. Vundo viruses vary in their symptoms and there are many "strains" however they can all me 100% completely removed in the same/ similar manners.

 

Hi,

Downloading malware is not a problem. Unless you execute it (or allow its execution)...

Malware is pread by organised criminals who want to use your computer's resources for their dirty deeds.

Yes. They want you to find a piece of the malware and be happy to have it removed. The other stuff that has been downloaded in the background remains undetected.

The trick is, to simply not allow malware being executed

My system is heavily locked down. Yes, you can call me paranoid, but my method is extremely successful

Michael

 

Here I have a good recommend for you: Tuneup360 and Norton system work, but the latter one is a little bit difficult. For the beginners, Tuneup360 is a good choice.

 

because the registry (as most other windows components) got rewritten by now more than once since the myth got created (and did had some truth).

the current registry is a fully virtualized data base layered into different files. it has nothing to do with the registry of win95 days (but is still accessed the same for compatibility). none of the problems of then are existing today. the registry is nowadays ram based, and fully indexed. searching stuff in it is always at about the same speed, unimportant how much crap is besides it.

it might have mattered 15 years ago. it doesn't today. not a tiny bit.

i don't have articles about this at hand, but i've read a lot of tests, and microsoft material about how the registry is written since vista/win7. it can't even logically matter anymore, by the way it's layed out.

 

i don't do anything, nothing happens. my method is just as successful, doesn't need any work, and is never in my way.

 

..and the fact that most MS-MVP and Microsoft have yet say that we MUST clean our Registry or that we should. Yep, I've yet to see a cleaner included with any of our Administrative Tools.

There are needs for registry editors ..not to be confused with registry cleaners and the editor IS included with our OS, no?

happy new year!

 

Sure, registry editors are absolutely necessary but I sure wouldn't recommend anyone using them! =p not most people at least

 

registry editors normally aren't necessary for the ordinary user. they are nice for the ones that mess with them out of some needs, but normally, they're never needed.

so they're not an absolutely necessary thing. for the ordinary user, the registry is completely invisible and automatic.

 

Correct. Plus, registry editors are different animals altogether from registry cleaners, which were the subject of the thread. That said, if you are one of the few people who need, or think they need a competent registry editor, then Resplendent's Registrar is the ultimate in that area.

 

I've flicked past a bunch of posts as I wanna stay out of the fight... However... yes "However" also means I'm getting in the mix.

My advice, is keep your system clean, install as little random apps as you can and keep with what you need. If you wanna try summat or use something once, do what I do and use a Virtual Desktop (like VMware workstation, but there are free ones). This also helps if your trying something unsafe as it won't interfere with your main system.

Keep it clean and from my professional standing a reinstall is the most cleanest way of refreshing your system.