Windows 7: Is Registry Defrag Useful?

JamesJ · 11 Jan 2012

First, thanks much for all the opinions.
In my case I've been using these system optimizers for some time and I do agree defragging the registry doesn't do anything for performance.
I've used many system optimizers and have yet to have a problem with a registry cleaner. They have never trashed my system. And I can tell you that programs do leave stuff behind in the registry after uninstalling them (not it would cause any problems). But again, never have registry cleaners trashed my system... at least noticeably.

Infinite · 11 Jan 2012

IMHO, the only registry cleaner that works is yourself (if you know what your doing)

jack1953 · 21 Jan 2012

This is only the second post in this thread concerning defragging the registry. The other poster says defragging the registry is a waste of time. Is that the consensus here? Defragging registry just a useless selling point? (No trying to start a debate, just trying to learn).

Quote: Originally Posted by wanchoo

May be you should do it twice in a year or so.

However Registry Defrag doesn't change any data in the Registry like the Registry Cleaner does therefore it cannot mess up your system like the Registry Cleaner may. It is therefore abs safe to use.

Quote: Originally Posted by JamesJ

I've used many so-called system optimizers and have found many of them to include a registry cleaner and a registry defrag. There have been times after uninstalling a program that there are many references left behind by the program that are found by the registry scanner. Junk that I would like to see removed. It's more piece of mind knowing that I removed unwanted entries. I'm not being very savvy as far as what these entries can do if left behind. Can they trigger malware? Can they access a web site without my knowledge? I just feel better removing them. Of course a registry scanner won't get everthing.
My question, I guess, after removing many entries in a situation like the one above, is it useful to defrag the registry? I honestly don't see any performance improvements in the few system optimizers that I have used.

Any thoughts are appreciated,
James

ignatzatsonic · 21 Jan 2012

I'd guess the consensus is that any "help" it provides is unnoticeable.

How could you tell if it helped?

Those that do it feel better for doing it, and that's OK by me.

As far as I know it can't hurt anything.

Drive fragmentation in general isn't a noticeable problem unless it gets really excessive, but many defrag religiously and feel neglectful if they don't.

Modern CPUs can blaze through the registry very quickly, fragmented or not.

If you feel better after you do it, do it. Whether it helps in any measurable way is another question entirely.

whs · 21 Jan 2012

It is as useful as a shot in the leg. But if you like to limp, go for it.

jloc · 21 Jan 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by whs

It is as useful as a shot in the leg. But if you like to limp, go for it.

Great use of a simile

Animal5150 · 21 Jan 2012

I agree with most here in that messing with the registry cleaning defraging, ect can harm your system and even if not is general a waste of time. Even if it does not do any damage the good it does it usually not going to be noticeable. If and only IF you insist on using something then Ccleaner is one of the safest. Many people use it so you can find support

bru · 21 Jan 2012

I use CCleaner for temp files and for kicks I let it check the registry and not surprisingly it found many things. Even after looking in to some of them and knowing it would probably be ok to get rid of some of them I decided against it. So there they stay, clogging up my registry

.

Infinite · 21 Jan 2012

It's useful for damaging your computer.

WolfSoul · 21 Jan 2012

As useful as programs like Tune Up Utilities?

Windows 7: Is Registry Defrag Useful?

Is Registry Defrag Useful? problems?