Windows 7: Registry Cleaners

anaron · 19 May 2012

There are three distinct thoughts on registry cleaners – the do’s, the do not’s, and the group that just spouts information they have read somewhere else with no actual experience whatsoever with registry cleaners. The do's have had excellent results with registry cleaners whereas the do not’s have not had good experiences. Confusing? Most definitely, to the unknowledgeable everyday user that read the “experts” comments. However, I have an issue accepting the many broad statements pertaining to Windows 7 & registry cleaners given but rarely substantiated with facts. This is not a discussion on what cleaners, procedures to follow or whether or not to use cleaners.

I would (and many others also) like for once to see facts and information that substantiate these three statements that experts on this site have stated numerous times:
1. Never use a registry cleaner on Win 7.
2. Registry cleaners do more harm than good.
3. There are no good registry cleaners.

Me, I am old school and have had excellent results with registry cleaners. Given that, Win 7 is a new beast and one that appears to be far more stable than any previous OS. I am always open to updating the way I do things but I need facts in order to do that.
Ron Burnes

zigzag3143 · 19 May 2012

IMHO

1-Used with care in "knowledgeable" users the risk is acceptable.

2-They can, but again read the manual and minimize the risk

3-Good is relative, better than most Ccleaner.

Your post sounds reasonable and experienced. You need to decide if the risk is worth the benefit.

There is little "benefit" unless the case is extreme.

I would not recommend their use to standard users, more advanced users I say caveat emptor.

seavixen32 · 19 May 2012

You mention that Windows 7 appears to be far more stable than any previous operating system and I wouldn't disagree with that.

I've been using Windows 7 for three years with nary a registry cleaner in sight.

In my view, if you:

Create a system image backup on a regular basis.
Use System Restore as and when necessary.
Use Previous Versions when needed.
Take advantage of Last Known Good Configuration.
Keep away from dodgy websites.
Be meticulous in what you download.
Use Microsoft Security Essentials.

you should have no need of a registry cleaner, although many people do put a high value on CCleaner.

Registry cleaner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As ever, it's a personal choice, but an informed debate on the matter will do no harm at all.

Without a shadow of doubt though, a registry cleaner in inexperienced hands can mess up a computer very quickly.

gregrocker · 19 May 2012

I'd not use a Registry Cleaner except for CCleaner Disk and Registry tabs approx monthly, less often if it doesn't find a lot of crap to clean up.

Most Registry Cleaners are sales scams which cause problems with Windows 7. None have the genius invested that does CCleaner which is perhaps the most respected little app in the entire tech world.

A Guy · 19 May 2012

Using a registry cleaner when you are knowledgeable, and prepared with system backups is one thing. Recommending a registry cleaner to another, especially when thousands may see the post and take the recommendation, is quite another. I would feel safe universally recommending CCleaner, but no other programs, even if I have used them safely myself. A Guy

DavidW7ncus · 19 May 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by anaron

I would (and many others also) like for once to see facts and information that substantiate these three statements...
...
Me, I am old school and have had excellent results with registry cleaners.
Ron Burnes

Can you provide facts and information that substantiate your "excellent results" improvements using registry cleaners?

A Guy · 19 May 2012

I think most would consider running a cleaner, which showed results, and didn't bork their system as excellent results

Fixing problems, or making the system perform better, I would defy anyone to show proof of that. A Guy

DavidW7ncus · 19 May 2012

I agree, but just because someone doesn't have an immediate problem, doesn't mean a "registry clean" might not cause problems in the future.

I've never used one in Win 7 and my systems are installed for 2+ years.
No problems here and my hardware is ancient by today's standards...

Joshatdot · 19 May 2012

I've been using CCleaner for HD & Registry stuff for years, no problems with it. To me it's like taking out the leftover trash in the registry, say after uninstalling a program.

A Guy · 20 May 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by DavidW7ncus

I agree, but just because someone doesn't have an immediate problem, doesn't mean a "registry clean" might not cause problems in the future.

I've never used one in Win 7 and my systems are installed for 2+ years.
No problems here and my hardware is ancient by today's standards...

I would also agree that just because things generally seem to be working after using a cleaner, doesn't mean something will not crop up later. And one might not even make the connection if it is a certain amount of time after the cleaning.

Have a look at this thread, notice the statement in the 1st post:

Quote:

I used to be able to open .xml files in IE9, before I believe I delete some stuff from the registry.(Windows Restore was turned off)

IE9 No Longer able to Open .XML

This could easily be an outcome of using a registry cleaner. Although I will again state that I have yet to see anyone having an issue with CCleaner

A Guy

Windows 7: Registry Cleaners

Registry Cleaners problems?