Solved How much do you trust registry cleaners?

[Versatile2820]

I ran ccleaner today due to my normal cleanup routine, then i went ahead and ran the registry cleaner, it had detected 224 problems thats alot, i didnt clicked on the fix issue yet because i want to hear what the experts would say so should i go ahead and run it or just leave it as it be

 

[DeaconFrost]

Random ones online...not much at all. CCleaner...very much so. I've used it for years on dozens of computers without issue. It's default settings aren't very in-depth, so you have little to fear. If you are worried, say yes to the backup option when you decide to clean, but I have yet to ever need to revert back from the clean. It has helped me solve many weird issues, though.

 

[Versatile2820]

Random ones online...not much at all. CCleaner...very much so. I've used it for years on dozens of computers without issue. It's default settings aren't very in-depth, so you have little to fear. If you are worried, say yes to the backup option when you decide to clean, but I have yet to ever need to revert back from the clean. It has helped me solve many weird issues, though.

Ok got backup and ran it hmm nothing so i guess its fine thank you for the answer

 

[funfun]

Dont recommend using a registry cleaner of any kind. I just use ccleaner for temp files and such as the Vista/7 registries take care of themselves. And when your computer is at idle long enough, it will even start to defrag by itself.

 

[Layback Bear]

Did you use the backup option that Ccleaner gives.

 

[Infinite]

0%, not even CCleaner's. I used to use Registry Cleaners and it slowed my netbook down even more.

 

[whs]

RegCleaners in Windows 7 are completely counterproductive. At best they have no effect at all. Else you can really put your system on the blink.

 

[slurp812]

+1 CCleaner, never caused an issue...

 

[TanyaC]

Dont trust them at all. If I really want to clean my registry, before I install anything I take a manual restore point, then if I don't like the program I do a system restore. Virtually no application or game cleans up after itself. If I think my registry is becoming messy, I'll restore off a system image, rather than using registry cleaners.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Dontas the Vista/7 registries take care of themselves.

It would be great if this were true...but sadly, it isn't. That's why such tools are needed.

RegCleaners in Windows 7 are completely counterproductive. At best they have no effect at all. Else you can really put your system on the blink.

I can think of plenty of situations in which CCleaner helped me out. The best example I give is with uninstalling ATI drivers, back when I had a Radeon 4850. Even Driver Cleaner said my system was clean, but I couldn't get the newer version to install. CCLeaner found a bunch of ATI reg entries leftover and removed them. Once that completed, I put my new drivers on and ran just fine. It's also helped me remove leftover bits from malware infections.

 

[Layback Bear]

Whether one uses a registry cleaner or regedit the first step is knowledge. One should know what they are looking for and why. Also what other effects will happen. I have tinkered with the registry when removing something like the Ask Tool Bar but I knew what I was looking for. Pushing one button on a program to fix the registry is scary to me.

 

[seavixen32]

Over the years, so-called registry cleaners have given me trouble so I don't use them.

That said, CCleaner is as good as any, and providing you backup the registry first and/or create a system restore point, you have a way back if things do get messed up.

However, I think Windows 7 is pretty good at taking care of business so providing you're careful with what you download you shouldn't need a registry cleaner.

 

[JMH]

I ran ccleaner today due to my normal cleanup routine, then i went ahead and ran the registry cleaner, it had detected 224 problems thats alot, i didnt clicked on the fix issue yet because i want to hear what the experts would say so should i go ahead and run it or just leave it as it be

Have never used a Registry Cleaner & have no intention of ever doing so.

Generic advice -
If you do not have knowledge of the registry, then you would probably be better off leaving it alone, and definitely not placing blind trust in a program to do the job for you.

To advise anyone that a "Registry Cleaner" works, and that it will fix or speed up their machine {or all the other nonsense that is often propagated about these things} can mislead people.

Should you decide to go ahead -
Make sure you have
1.a current System Restore point created.
2.a recent "Back up" of your computer- preferably to an external HD.


FYI

Registry cleanup - Microsoft Answers

 

[Britton30]

Gregrocker, Deacon Frost, and myself all use CCleaner for temp clean up and its registry cleaner. It's true there is no real performance gain as with XP but it is a great help with driver and software uninstalls because there is always a lot of reg bits left over which can make a negative impact on performance. Leftovers can also interfere with updating those same drivers or software.
Other than CCleaner though, I would stay away from reg cleaners. I know from trouble shooting PCtools, AVG, System Mechanic, and the like will bork your machine.

 

[Zahl]

I don't recommend them either, especially in full auto-clean mode. CCleaner is alright if you go through what it finds manually and you delete only entries for things you are 110% sure you have removed from your system. I do not trust any of them to just hit the clean button without going through the list. Just asking for trouble by doing that

 

[DeaconFrost]

Gregrocker, Deacon Frost, and myself all use CCleaner for temp clean up and its registry cleaner.

Also for controlling start up apps...as it gives more description than msconfig. Three useful features in one small, free app.

 

[Britton30]

Gregrocker, Deacon Frost, and myself all use CCleaner for temp clean up and its registry cleaner.

Also for controlling start up apps...as it gives more description than msconfig. Three useful features in one small, free app.

True and also one can remove restore points if your system is running just fine too.

 

[MWRed]

In my experience,I never used them except for ccleaner. It doesn't seem to dig deep on the stock settings. Pretty much all of the stuff it finds for me are just for things that have been uninstalled or updated. I would never use a dedicated registry cleaner. There's no real need, and they're not safe at all.

 

[DeaconFrost]

You are exactly right, and you explain why CCleaner isn't to be feared. It doesn't dig deep into the OS on it's default settings.

 

[JMH]

With due respect...

It is important for us to always remember that some of the people we give advice to are not always blessed with the same knowledge / ability & experience we have.

Therefore sometimes it is necessary to err on the side of caution.
Our personal experience is often irrelevant.