Windows 7: Windows 7 Advice on Registry Key Removals

RE: PrivaZer PC Cleaner vs. Shell Bag Analyzer.

Shell Bag Analyzer - you can delete everything it finds but that would reset folder view settings and possibly folder template settings for all existing folders. It's best to use it only for deleted folders.

PrivaZer PC Cleaner - if you go ahead with a full clean without configuring settings it will delete stuff that you might want to keep including jump lists and maybe cookies if you use them to save logins or site preferences. The shell bag cleanup has been improved so that currently it only removes traces of deleted folders.

Some people had issues with it. Personally I've configured it to meet my needs and it works fine. I actually run the portable version direct from RAMdisk to speed things up.

RE: Problems. See this:

privazer is it safe to use

IE10 uses WebcacheV01.dat vs index.dat files. How to clear/delete?

IE10 uses WebcacheV01.dat vs index.dat files. How to clear/delete?

More to consider:

After running shell bag clean up try running this:

LastActivityView

You might be in for a surprise. Also read through the info on registry locations covered.

Sorry I haven't been able to get back to this post. I'm on a camping trip. How bad is that! I can't stay away from my tech even when camping.. quick question. If Shell Bag Analyzer only only removes traces of deleted folders why are there other options in the drop down menu? I't still early and I'm only on my first coffee.

We are talking about two different softwares here.

1) PrivaZer - PC Cleaner
2) PrivaZer - Shell Bags Analyzer and Cleaner

The reason there are different types in the drop down lists id so that the user can easily filter results by type if required.

It doesn't just delete shell bags for deleted folders. If you run a scan and check all items for deletion it deletes shell bags for all folders in much the same way as if you selected the shell bags cleanup option in Ccleaner with CCEnhancer installed.

If you only check (tick) deleted folders them that shell bags for those folders only are removed.

Many users to not want or intend to reset folder template/ view settings for all current folders and are only interested in removing stored shell bag information for deleted folders.

Thanks Callender! Good info.

Which is why I was taking time to pick and chose the marks. This is a tactical strike on the BAG entries as I simply don't want to delete everything in there but only certain entries besides the old deleted folders. I use CCleaner and OTL and a few other software programs to reduce my footprints through the system itself but the registry is another story.

So I think my best option would be to CAREFULLY use "Shell Bags Analyzer and Cleaner" and strike at just the entries I want removed verses "PrivaZer - PC Cleaner" as that will only delete the old folders and not active folder locations as I need to remove entries to my external drives.

**Note** Folder view layout for the entries I'm removing is not important as I don't use the folders daily and can reset them when needed and as for things like Cookies, Temp Folders, Last MRU....ect I have other programs set up to clean those out.

What I don't know about the program though is what registry keys it's targeting besides the main BAG folders as if it doesn't touch those other two locations for a 64bit system its a moot point as those are mirrors of the main Bag folders.

@Callender

I see your using an older version of CCleaner. Did they remove the bags option in the newer versions as I can't seem to find that option in version v.5.19.5633 or are you using a PRO version?

That's an old screenshot showing the version I used at the time. I use Ccleaner Free with CCEnhacer add on.

Those extra entries marked with an asterisk are added to Ccleaner by CCEnhancer.

Some more info here on Ccleaner - adding extra cleaners via winapp2.ini

Latest CCleaner Version Released

But CCEnjancer does it for you and trims unused cleaners from winapp2.ini if you don't need them and so reduces time taken to scan / clean.

Where are the Most Recently Used Lists?

RE: 64bit Shell Bags. It's not clear to me but as a quick test I created folders named TEST A in a few locations including 64bit program files and monitored using a registry watcher.

Deleted the folders and the shell bags were picked up by the scan:

I wasn't aware of CCEnhancer. It gave me a lot more options to work with. Thanks Callender.

That's interesting as your test did not list the Wow6432Node key which is a mirror of the other Bag keys as being added to.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\LocalSettings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\
Shell\Bags

Really not sure it depends on folder location to add to that key since my Bag key in Wow6432Node holds the same entries as in the normal Shell\Bags key and I have entries for other hard drive locations that was never in the 64 bit Program Files locations.

I guess the only way to know is for a real world test and use "Shell Bags Analyzer and Cleaner" and see if it touch's those other keys in the removal process. Be kind of pointless if it doesn't as that means it's still listed in the registry but under another key name and to top that off (tough I haven't confirmed yet as I only spotted it yesterday) there is a Cache folder key that lists these same Bag entries in the registry.

Damn this is getting complicated!

BTW.... BIG Thanks for the info on CCEnhancer and I'll add that to my toolkit!

I did test WOW6432Node but the registry watcher detected no changes there. I'm not sure that I configured it correctly so I didn't post the results. I might do another test on that but not today.

Don't know about cache folder but I know something about:

webcachev01.dat and [Drive Letter:]\$Extend\$UsnJrnl:

$UsnJrnl: in particular records all changes made to files and directories. I managed to get a look at mine (some time ago) by using software that force copies locked system files then I looked at the copy.

I don't know why you want to remove stuff but in my experience it's hard to remove all traces.