Registry cleaners

[CraigM31]

Does anyone know of any "good" free registry cleaners?

[dw426]

{QUOTE-> Does anyone know of any "good" free registry cleaners? <-QUOTE}

The one I point most people to is CCleaner. It's pretty thorough and doesn't seem to "overdo" the cleaning. Do allow it to make a registry backup before it removes though, just to stay safe.

[CraigM31]

I used CCleaner until I installed Kaspersky and was told it was riskware?

[ronjor]

The standard version of CC comes with a toolbar. That's probably what Kaspersky is flagging. Get the slim version and see if it is flagged also.

http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds

[Long View]

{QUOTE-> I used CCleaner until I installed Kaspersky and was told it was riskware? <-QUOTE}

I didn't realize that Kaspersky was riskware.

[emperordarius]

{QUOTE-> I didn't realize that Kaspersky was riskware. <-QUOTE}

LOL...
C:\...Kis 8.0.0.357.exe
Risk: potentially computer disinfecting application
Description: This software can remove malware from your machine. Microsoft doesn't recommend removing malware from your machine because that could mean stopping use from collecting personal information from your computer.;D

[CraigM31]

Thanks guys I mean't Kaspersky called CCLeaner riskware LOL

[CraigM31]

Security zone blocked the download of CCleaner slim version? Has anyone heard of RegSupremePro?

[emperordarius]

{QUOTE-> Security zone blocked the download of CCleaner slim version? Has anyone heard of RegSupremePro? <-QUOTE}

RegSupreme Pro, I head it's good, but it isn't free afaik.

[bellgamin]

{QUOTE-> Does anyone know of any "good" free registry cleaners? <-QUOTE}Here are 2 reg cleaners that I use...

RegSeeker (http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm)
AND
Wise Reg Cleaner (http://www.wisecleaner.com/)

Both of them have paid versions as well as free versions. I use the freebies -- they are fully functional & quite effective.

NOTE: A registry cleaner is a tool. So also is a knife. A knife is useful for cutting meat or spreading butter, but it can also injure or kill the user. A registry cleaner has the same situation. If used properly, it is a helpful tool. Used improperly, it can REALLY screw up your computer.

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE-> Here are 2 reg cleaners that I use...

RegSeeker (http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm)
AND
Wise Reg Cleaner (http://www.wisecleaner.com/)

Both of them have paid versions as well as free versions. I use the freebies -- they are fully functional & quite effective.

NOTE: A registry cleaner is a tool. So also is a knife. A knife is useful for cutting meat or spreading butter, but it can also injure or kill the user. A registry cleaner has the same situation. If used properly, it is a helpful tool. Used improperly, it can REALLY screw up your computer. <-QUOTE}So in other words don't hold the sharp end.;D

[CraigM31]

Thanks folks! I've been on many forums but this has to be the most useful one I have ever joined! :)

[GlobalForce]

Excuse me Craig, security zone belong's to whom?

Steve

[CraigM31]

I think a setting is set wrong on my FireFox browser or something? Blocks any thing I try to download that is binary (please forgive me I'm still a newbie) :)

[GlobalForce]

Thank you Craig. Could someone other than Craig comment on what blocked that slim dwnld of his?

S

[djohn]

{QUOTE-> I think a setting is set wrong on my FireFox browser or something? Blocks any thing I try to download that is binary (please forgive me I'm still a newbie) :) <-QUOTE}
Hi Craig I have been using CCleaner for quit some time From Xp over to vista with no ill effects.It does not dig really deep in the registry like some others do so you should be safe.It does offer the back up before the final clean up so you can safe them in case a restore is needed at a latter.Another free, Easy cleaner by toniArts (Not vista compatiable)

[AKAJohnDoe]

{QUOTE-> Security zone blocked the download of CCleaner slim version? Has anyone heard of RegSupremePro? <-QUOTE}
Hi Iowa.

I have it. It is very good. Not free as already stated, but there is a free trial period. If you buy JV16 PowerTools (www.macecraft.com) you get a license for that, for RegSupremePro (http://www.macecraft.com/downloads/), and for RegSupreme (http://www.macecraft.com/downloads/). A single license (http://www.macecraft.com/licensing/) allows you to run them on up to 5 computers in your home that are not business-oriented.

I also have and use the freebie, CCleaner, which is also quite good.

[djohn]

{QUOTE-> I think a setting is set wrong on my FireFox browser or something? Blocks any thing I try to download that is binary (please forgive me I'm still a newbie) :) <-QUOTE}
Do you have add ons? have you tried firefox in its safe mode?

[AKAJohnDoe]

{QUOTE-> I think a setting is set wrong on my FireFox browser or something? Blocks any thing I try to download that is binary (please forgive me I'm still a newbie) :) <-QUOTE}
If you are using Firefox 3 it will automatically scan downloads using your AntiVirus software after downloading but before it releases it to you. There is an about:config tweak to change that.

Also with Firefox 3, under Vista, you might have to adjust the Advanced options and the Security options for the Internet Zone under Control Panel/Internet Options.


See here (http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=276510) and here (http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_save_or_download_files#Disable_virus_scanning_in_Firefox_preferences_-_Windows) for more details.

[Niels]

Glary utilities is also freeware it contains more than a registry cleaner. You can download it here: http://www.glaryutilities.com/gu.html?tag=download I use it together with ccleaner.

[Thiggy]

WinASO trial version of Registry Optimizer will repair 10 items at a time. It is thorough, but will take a few passes using the trial version. Select the areas to scan to limit the number of detections/repair per pass.

[Fly]

For as far as I know, Ccleaner is not primarily a registry cleaner.

It's supposed to 'clean' the computer. I'd think that any registry cleaning would be very limited.

Personally I wouldn't recommend registry cleaners.

I would use a registry cleaner ONLY if the only other alternative is a full reinstall of the OS and the rest !

Registry cleaners can cause problems.

In general, I wouldn't recommend 'free' registry cleaners in particular. Outdated registry cleaners/optimizers are another risk.

I once downloaded one from Majorgeeks and later I found 'porn' entries and other crap in the registry !

[Long View]

Hi Fly

what you say makes a good deal of sense BUT then so does the other side of the argument. So long as program writers write poorly even a new install can benefit from reg cleaning. The operative word is can. There is nothing magical about the registry. There is nothing to say that just because a new program has made x changes to the registry that it wouldn't benefit from some further changes. To my way of thinking there is more to be gained by learning how to clean than not cleaning at all. Before even thinking of reg cleaning I would make a full system image. I would then try one program at a time. After trying numerous programs I abandoned most but found it best to keep and use just a few. FWIW I use Crap cleaner, JV16, Reg Seeker and Reg Vac. Crap Cleaner has never made a mistake as far as I can tell whereas the other 3 have. Learning how they work is essential - which is one of the reasons I don't like many of the automatic push a button and trust me programs.

[djohn]

Here is a little reference.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registry_cleaner

[Fly]

No registry cleaners for me.

I tend to live by 'if it ain't broken, don't fix it'.

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE-> No registry cleaners for me.

I tend to live by 'if it ain't broken, don't fix it'. <-QUOTE}I agree. The only time I might experiment is on my old machine when I get a new one.

[AKAJohnDoe]

As long as one knows what one is doing, registry cleaners are safe, and even useful.

For example, there are quite a few products that save their MRU (most recently used) filelists in the registry. It is, IMHO, completely appropriate to clear those whenever desired.

Of course, if one does not know what one is doing, or blindly accepts the results of the registry scan (which could be synonymous with not knowing what one is doing, perhaps), then a registry cleaner can be a dangerous implement indeed.

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> As long as one knows what one is doing, registry cleaners are safe, and even useful.

For example, there are quite a few products that save their MRU (most recently used) filelists in the registry. It is, IMHO, completely appropriate to clear those whenever desired.

Of course, if one does not know what one is doing, or blindly accepts the results of the registry scan (which could be synonymous with not knowing what one is doing, perhaps), then a registry cleaner can be a dangerous implement indeed. <-QUOTE}

in some cases they can be usefull but in general people use them because they are told that cluttering the registry could harm your system and invoke crashes or at least has impact on performance.I will tell you its a complete myth,there is no scientific evidence that cleaning will improve performance and stability. All these leftovers will not harm you but cleaners definatily can.

[Long View]

{QUOTE->

I tend to live by 'if it ain't broken, don't fix it'. <-QUOTE}

Me too - which is why I still drive a horse and buggy and live in a log cabin.:dry:

[Sam Hell]

Has anyone tried Ncleaner from NKProds?
After having to do a full system restore from D: on HP Pavillion XP SP2
I used Revo, Ccleaner & Ncleaner to clean up old junk before I load up more.:dry:

Nclean seems way more robust at reg cleaning than Cclean, but it is not a dedicated
regcleaner. Had issues with unrelated components (for instance, I had to configure to
disable services twice before settings took).
Before I got to try the free space wipe the prog refused to open so I uninstalled. :(

Just curious what anybody who has tried it thinks about this one.

[caspian]

I have tried using a registry cleaner three times and each time I ended up having to reinstall my OS. I now use the registry scan with Ccleaner and then run Advanced Windows Care for additional safe registry fixes. But I also use Returnil and I think it is awesome! In addition, there are certain programs like Winrar, hjsplit and some others that I only install over top of Returnil. I think that helps to keep everything cleaner and running more efficiently.

[Long View]

A new machine I have just set up without any Reg Cleaners being used reboots in 1 minute 18 seconds. Having installed and run Advanced Windows Care v2 ( free version) it now reboots in 55 seconds. Not a massive difference but anyone who thinks that freshly installed programs are not in need of cleaning and optimizing might want to reconsider.

[jpcummins]

Just downloaded a program called Reg Cure by Pareto Logic Inc.; has anyone heard of or used the program? After what I have read from other forum members I doubt very much if I will ever use a registry cleaning program but thought I would ask anyway. My system, knock on wood, is performing very well and I would hate to risk fouling it up by using the program especially when I don't have a really good reason to do so. All replies or suggestions will be appreciated as always. Thanks in advance for your reply.

John

[Long View]

If you are going to reg clean then you need to have an imaging program to allow you to restore your machine if anything goes wrong. Windows restore is just not good enough. Every so often I find that a test program removes something I need to keep. It is easy enough to exclude the change but a means is needed to return the machine to its previous state.

[Pinga]

{QUOTE-> If you are going to reg clean then you need to have an imaging program to allow you to restore your machine if anything goes wrong. <-QUOTE}
Not necessarily. JV16 PowerTools and RegSupreme Pro have their own little backup system for that.

I've been using them for years, on different systems and to my full satisfaction. Nothing ever went wrong, never even needed the backup.

http://www.macecraft.com/

[Long View]

{QUOTE-> Not necessarily. JV16 PowerTools and RegSupreme Pro have their own little backup system for that.

I've been using them for years, on different systems and to my full satisfaction. Nothing ever went wrong, never even needed the backup.

http://www.macecraft.com/ <-QUOTE}


JV16 has matured greatly in the last few years. even so changes can be made which cannot always be restored by the backups that these programs provide.
also some errors don't alawsy appear immediately making the backups of little use. a while ago a program decided that one of my virtual printers wasn't really needed. Restoring an image was by far in a way the easiest solution. In any event anyone who doesn't have an image of C: OS + programs and D: data could do with image protection in my view