Registry Cleaners

[Londoner]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone could take the time to explain to me what a registry cleaner (such as xp repair pro) actually does?

What is it about registries that need 'cleaning'? How do they get 'dirty'? How does a registry cleaning software do the 'cleaning'? Why do some seem to find one set of problems and another find another set - and some find none atall? Are one set inventing problems or are the other set missing them?

Some light on this matter would be gratefully received.

[SWTF]

Well, the registry can get polluted a lot of different ways. All kinds of entries end up there that are no longer in use. They just take up space. Other entries get corrupted. Basically, wear and tear just creates useless clutter in the registry the same way that hard drives get fragmented.

Cleaners remove unnecessary entries and replace corrupted ones. For the issue of some finding problems and others not, I think it's kind of like virus scanners: different scanners find different things. I don't think they report too many false positives though.

Hope that helps.

[jayb1234]

Registry cleaners can get you in trouble by deleting entries that they shouldn't. So, if you decide to use one, be sure to backup the registry first.

[rcvalencia09]

Some registry cleaners such as the Tweaknow Regleaner prompts you if its safe to delete registry entries.

[SWTF]

Some cleaners automatically make back ups as well. I recommend TuneUp Utilities 2006 and Error Doctor.

[Omega Man]

Can anyone recommend any good, free ones?

[RJS2]

Ccleaner works well only one I really trust it also has alot of other helpful features, clears cookies,java,cache,temp files etc..

And its free.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

[Omega Man]

Is that a registry cleaner?

[RJS2]

Yes

[rspassey]

Originally Posted by Omega Man Is that a registry cleaner?

Download it and then click on ISSUES, then analyze your computer. It will show you all the registry errors it finds and will prompt you to back up. Do so, then finish fixing all the issues.

[Omega Man]

EXCELLENT!!! I have been using CCleaner for some time, but I thought the Issues thing was for people with mental problems Seriously, I just ran it and it worked fine. After running it I ran the trial version of Registry Mechanic. As you can see from my screen print it found some additional issues. Are these for real or are they just trying to make a buck?

[glc]

Different programs find different things - just like antispyware scanners. Some programs are a bit too overzealous and can cause problems - I haven't had CCleaner overclean yet. I did have problems with JV16 overcleaning a few years ago when it was still free.

EDIT: What you need to do with CCleaner is make more passes till it comes up with no issues. You usually have to run it 3 times or so.

[RevCLB]

Originally Posted by glc Different programs find different things - just like antispyware scanners. Some programs are a bit too overzealous and can cause problems - I haven't had CCleaner overclean yet. I did have problems with JV16 overcleaning a few years ago when it was still free. EDIT: What you need to do with CCleaner is make more passes till it comes up with no issues. You usually have to run it 3 times or so.

Hi glc, I have the ccleaner program. I ran it more than 20 minutes tonight. Would get 0 bytes removed, then 53 bytes removed (always refering to Macromedia) then 0, then various number of bytes removed, then 0 again. I would click 1-2 seconds apart & let program run then click & run again. What am I doing wrong?

[glc]

You are simply cleaning temporary files - you have to click on ISSUES to run the registry cleaner.

[RevCLB]

Originally Posted by glc You are simply cleaning temporary files - you have to click on ISSUES to run the registry cleaner.

Thanks glc. Dummy learns more.