Use Caution with Registry Cleaners

18 years ago

I have seen many posts suggesting the use of registry cleaners. I am very very cautious of telling a new users or an inexperienced person to just randomly use such and such registry cleaner. I have seen and heard so many disaster stories after registry changes. I personally never tell anyone other than an experienced user to use any registry cleaners, and to research them well first.

One question I have seen asked several times is

Quote:

why Registry cleaning is not an issue for Window XP but a big deal for older version windows?

and the answer quote:

the old DOS based Windows had some areas of the OS limited to 64KB of memory no matter how much memory was added. In XP, this limit was removed and the payoff of registry cleaning was diminished.

If you are considering using a registry cleaner please just do a simple search on google "are registry cleaners safe" and review some of the comments, and be prepared before you use one!! It may go fine or it may not so be prepared! Always backup at the very minimum your registry.

Also take a look at this forum where Carol has a very good review and testing of some registry cleaners she has used and problems encountered.

http://www.donationcoder.com/Forums/bb/index.php?topic=1188.0

I would not tell anyone what to do or how to answer but please keep in mind that many people that read forums are extremely new users and may not have the experience necessary to determine if a registry change will be harmful to their systems.

So in the case of recommending one also provide the information on exactly how to use it, make registry backup, and what to do should it find errors and then cause problems. Recommending programs that do not do deep registry cleaning/editing but do simple light clean up would also be preferable.

I agree that there are some good ones out there.

Just my opinion of course as always. And simply a statement of caution.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

DA_Mccoy
18 years ago
In spirit your caution is absolutely correct. Further, I too recommend only "lite" cleaners with backup capability and on a very rare occasion the RegEdit utility.

However, the main responsibility for action is still that of the user based on his/her knowledge and limitations.

Anyone who is familiar with my postings knows that I continually encourage self-help first. This would include research on Google, reading of Help files, and website readings. This would then be followed by an query to any forum(s) if needed. With this information the user would then be prepared to make an informed decision.

I guess it might go back to the old saying, "If you act smarter than you really are, then you're not".

DA
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
18 years ago
"If you act smarter than you really are, then you're not".
I love it!...and know several folks in real life that are like that. You hit the nail on the head. I'll have to try and remember that one...lol

Sue
Related Discussions
using crap cleaner
Q
Comments (4)
CCleaner will clean a few more things than you've done. This is the cleaner list: Under the Issues Tab, you can clean up the registry. Under the Tools Tab, under startup, you can check out what programs are starting up and running in the backgroud. Usually there are unnecessary programs starting up and running that just slow you down. About the only thing you need to run at startup are the firewall and anti-virus and maybe a select program or two. If you do decide to download and install, on the setup watch for and uncheck to install google or find the slim version. CCleaner is a very good small program, I use it all the time.
...See More
In Trouble (again) Registry?
Q
Comments (49)
Unbeknownst to its users, Webshots employed its Webshots Desktop Application (a free program that users can download from their site to manage their online pictures) to install the Kiwee Toolbar as part of a software update for this program. Other than the Wikipedia article (whose references don't appear to have anything to do with the surreptitious installation of Kiwee) and complaints in support forums about problems getting it off a computer, I don't see anything about it being forced on users. Was it one of the many tools bars included with software that installed by default but unchecking a box provided an opt-out? I just don't know. Although several of the search hits I saw included the word "unbeknownst" which leaves me wondering if they were written by the same person or several people parroting the others. In any case, it seems more a case of poorly written code and even poorer judgment on the part of American Greetings than malware. American Greetings does offer instructions on how to remove Kiwee although it sounds like you need to install the latest, greatest version first. I'm not sure I'd be jumping at at offer. Gosh Durn Mike ~ Don't be so rude & judgemental! I didn't get "glitter text" intentionally. Do you have any idea of the number of computers I've looked at with upwards of a half dozen different tools bars installed? Every user claimed they never installed them. Yes they did, when the went click, click, click without bothering to read what was on the screen. Now maybe I got up on my soapbox a little too soon and American Greetings did install poorly written software on their customers' computers without their customers knowledge or consent. If that is the case, I would be writing a nice letter to Mr. Weiss letting him know why he won't be getting any more of my money. Even if it meant giving up a really pretty screen saver.
...See More
registry cleaner
Q
Comments (8)
I bought Registry Mechanic. When I ran it the first time it found and fixed around 300 problems. On my laptop if fixed over 200. However, I could not notice any difference in the run speed on either machine. I suspect there is a lot of junk left dangling by various software programs that this package fixes. However, there is no indication that any of the "problems" it found were actually needin to be fixed. By the way, after completing the repairs I ran it again and on each machine it found zero problems. So I guess it "fixed" them the first time.
...See More
Cleaning Registry with RegCure
Q
Comments (15)
My whole problem started when I was running a sweep with Webroot Spy Sweeper. It stopped in the middle of the run and gave me the message, "The connection to the program engine has been lost or terminated." It told me to uninstall and reinstall it, which I did. Then I got the message, "Wrid.dll not found (or something like that). So I did a search and Wrid.dll was in the correct directory. I then got a message saying wrid.dll was loaded but the DillRegisterServer entry point was not found. Anyway, after two clean installations I tried running it again and it stopped right in the middle again. I still have no Spy Sweeper and I wrote Webroot support team and got three typed pages that do not say anything to a helpless old lady.
...See More
cat_ky
18 years ago
Finally someone who thinks exactly like I do. I have fixed more computers where the owners have used ccleaner than I even care to think about. Sometimes it takes days to get them working right again. I have always advised people to backup that registry at least once a month, but so few do. There is one reg cleaner, that I feel is very safe (doesnt work on Vista.) In all the machines I have used it on for many years, there has never been a problem. That is the reg cleaner by Jouni Vuoro. Cat
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
Original Author
18 years ago
Ed Bott who is a windows expert and a former editor of PC World has a great blog I often read. He some time back blogged about this subject, it is a very informative read as well as the comments area following it. I will provide a link.

I know a lot of people that use various cleaner programs, and really it is a what works for one does not always work for someone else situation with them. Each person has different experience just as each user has different pc usage. The main reason for the caution in my post was simply to warn those that are not familiar with these products to know that there are situations that can occur that could really be unfortunate. Plus there are those companies out there that prey on novice users and put out junk products(all kinds of products).

I think the greatest thing is when a person takes it upon themselves to educate and seek info and research deeply before taking on any kind of task! That is the real way to learn. Do your research and read all the pros and cons then you can make an informed decision.
YES acting smart is definitely not being smart.... being smart is being informed and proceeding with caution (after major backups)! LOL

Here is a link that might be useful: Ed's blog
susieq07
18 years ago
I have used a registry cleaner for a few years now, and it's great it tells you the ones that are safe to remove, the problem ones that is...and it's very clear as to which ones they are, you can't make a mistake...
DA_Mccoy
18 years ago
Cat Old Friend,

I loved the old JV16. :)

Believe it or not JV Tools works on Vista. At least Vista Home Premium. Admittedly the commercial site does not support it, but my readings showed Vista users having success with it. I decided to download it and try it. Had no problems at all with any of the utilities. My only loss was when it timed out as it is now a commercial application.

I am also chuckling right now as we have exchanged views on this before. You are the only person I have ever heard of who has had trouble with CCleaner except for users who have changed the default settings. It must be that scent of Magnolias in the air down there. :)

RC,

" I think the greatest thing is when a person takes it upon themselves to educate and seek info and research deeply before taking on any kind of task! That is the real way to learn." Two minds here think alike.

Suzie,

If the application you are referring to is one of those which has those red, yellow and green designations please be careful. I've had trouble with a couple different ones and I have also fixed a couple of systems for others who have used them.

DA
tumblenweed
18 years ago
Thank you Ravencajun for the warning of caution. I had always used Reg Cleaner. After reading rave reviews on this forum and others I tried CCleaner and crashed my system. It was not a GOOD experience! I went back to Reg Cleaner.
jane__ny
18 years ago
I have used Ccleaner for many years on all my computers without ever having a problem. I always back up and only remember once having to open the backup. Seems a safe program to me.

Jane
DA_Mccoy
18 years ago
Please remember CCleaner's focus is not dedictated to the registry. It is a system cleaner. The included registry "issue" tool is independent and the utility to be aware of. It does create a backup and in the case of a negative experience all you have to do is restore what was removed.

DA
asolo
18 years ago
CCleaner and RegSeeker used for years with good results and no issues. Learned about both here.

2 years ago, switched to Mac because I got tired of dealing with registries and all the other Windows crappola. It was a good move.
cat_ky
18 years ago
Yep, we have had this discussion before DA. Think we have to agree, to disagree. LOL Dont think it is the magnolias, cuz they arent blooming yet (dont think, anyway, guess, I should go out and look), but just might be the lilacs, which for some reason, have decided to actually come into full bloom, AND have a lilac odor. First time for everything. :-))

Use Caution with Registry Cleaners

Comments (11)

DA_Mccoy

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

Related Discussions

cat_ky

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
Original Author

susieq07

DA_Mccoy

tumblenweed

jane__ny

DA_Mccoy

asolo

cat_ky

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Use Caution with Registry Cleaners

Comments (11)

Related Discussions

ravencajun Zone 8b TXOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
Original Author