Registry Questions

Zuko53 · 15 Dec 2013

7 O/S. (1) I understand that an overloaded Registry can considerably slow down a computer's operation. I have accessed the Registry and see that all of the keys have a listing referring to Software. Is it generally considered that everything that is seen under the Software heading is the result of a program, at one time or another, being downloaded into Programs? (2) I have read too, that when Programs are uninstalled the process may not entirely remove the program and leave residual in the Registry. (3) If the residual that is left in the Registry is not attached to any existing Programs, can it be deleted without affecting operations of the computer? Thank You for any help.

indianacarnie · 15 Dec 2013

If you use a third party uninstaller, Revo is the one I use and recommend, it keeps the "left overs" to a minimum. If you're absolutely positive the entries referred to are leftovers then its PROBABLY safe to delete them. Mucking around in the registry is a quick and surefire way to brick your machine though, if you don't know what you're doing. IMHO registry cleaning is not worth it period. NO real improvements in speed and the potential to seriously damage your system. Here's a link to show what other's think about it. Read the whole thing (its very short).

The best drive cleaners and registry cleaners - MajorGeeks

I quote : There are none. Let that sink in. Registry cleaning has been used as sales point to fix errors and solve problems. While you might be getting a registry error, cleaning your registry solves and improves nothing. Your computer will not run faster with a registry cleaning – ever. Period.

If your machine is running slow, try these tips. Just click on the link : Optimize Windows 7

Layback Bear · 15 Dec 2013

From post #1

7 O/S. (1) I understand that an overloaded Registry can considerably slow down a computer's operation

If possible could you post where you found this information?

margrave · 15 Dec 2013

That "information" was everywhere online, for years and years.
It was false once, and it was false 10,000 times.
There is no "overloaded" registry.

whs · 15 Dec 2013

There is no need to worry about 'overloaded' registries. There will be no performance impact and running a cleaner may result in a bricked system.

Best is to take Indianacarhie's advice and uninstall with the Revo uninstaller (advanced option - you'll see). Then the registry entries are removed during the uninstall.

Note that the free Revo uninstaller works only on programs from the x86 Program File (which are usually most of the programs in a Windows 7 system).

SIW2 · 15 Dec 2013

You could try Geek free version.

Download | GeekUninstaller

LMiller7 · 15 Dec 2013

7 O/S. (1) I understand that an overloaded Registry can considerably slow down a computer's operation

Years ago I heard of an experiment where the registry was deliberately bloated far beyond what would happen under normal conditions. The effect this had on registry access time was minimal. As registry access time has limited influence on the performance of most applications the impact on real performance would have been even less.

I have never heard of a controlled experiment that showed registry cleaning was beneficial to performance. All we have are subjective comments like "It feels faster" that are highly influenced by the placebo effect.

As the benefits of registry cleaning are so questionable why take the chance?