Free Registry Cleaner?

[JAM]

Vote for CCleaner

 

[Lebon14]

Funny how I never had problems with registery cleaning... sometimes you need it when you need to re-install an app that failed...

CCleaner FTW. Never had a problem.
Just review what it has found though

 

[JMH]

Funny how I never had problems with registery cleaning... sometimes you need it when you need to re-install an app that failed...

CCleaner FTW. Never had a problem.
Just review what it has found though

There are exceptions always.
We have to be careful with generic advice.

 

[alwinwinjoe]

Glary Utilities is also a good choice. I used it one time when I uninstalled a software and it left some nasty things that made my registry all screwed up. CCleaner is also a great choice but be warned, CCleaner needs you to do some exceptions...

 

[matt_0978]

Dark Nova,

I have an explorer window appearing when I boot up and have tried all sorts to stop it with no luck. Someone said to try a registry cleaner, but having dabbled in the past I find they all appear as free, then hit you with a charge. And they seem to mess with the computer.

perhaps u can try editing the registry first to see if u can solve the prob urself

run regedit as admin
navigate to HKLM/SOFTWARE/MICROSOFT/WINDOWS NT/CURRENT VERSION/WINLOGON
in the right hand pane modify the value of USERINIT, it should be somet like C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe, if there's a comma at the end of that delete everything after it. then do a full/comprehensive virus scan and also download urself a copy of www.malwarebytes.org and full scan with that.

NB: for a free registry editor i'll second crap cleaner...www.ccleaner.com

 

[jimbo45]

Hi all

NEVER EVER use products like this - even if the provenance they come from is good.

If you need to clean your registry there is only ONE proper solution.

FRESH CLEAN OS install.

This is why before installing ANY software - IMAGE your current system first - so if the software is no good or doesn't work properly just restore the system to the state it was in before you installed the app. Should only take around 10 - 15 mins to image an average Windows partition.

It's also a good idea to separate OS from data so if you do have to re-install the OS and format the partition you don't have to re-load all your data from a backup.

With a lot of "Drive by" type infections going around - I'd certainly NEVER use an online website to do anything with the registry.

(Another good testing mechanism is to try installing in a Virtual Machine before installing on your Real working OS - if it doesn't work just scrub the VM).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[catilley1092]

WARNING! STAY AWAY FROM GLARY UTILITIES! It screwed up one of my laptops, and had to reinstall both OS's (Win 2K Pro/XP Pro. It has a "memory defragger", and it messed Win 2K up, forcing 2 reinstalls. This program is at best, garbage. At worst, complete reinstall of your OS. Don't risk it. If you are having problems, seek assistance from the forum, the maker of your PC, or a skilled friend. And if you read the EULA carefully, the program is spyware. ALWAYS READ the EULA of any program very carefully.

 

[Colonel Travis]

Ditto jimbo.

Did anyone mention Revo's uninstaller? Didn't see it. It's free and it gets rid of just about every speck of crap a program dumps on your system. Sometimes I'll have to manually trash of a few harmless files after Revo, but I've never had to dig into the registry because Revo pulls that junk out and it does a superb job and doesn't screw your computer as a result. Can't recommend it highly enough.

 

[brother]

I use Auslogics registry cleaner on Windows 7. It's free and it automatically backs up your previous alterations. It works fine !
I also use accasionally use CCleaner to fix registry errors.

 

[Johnston7]

EWell I am going with the anti-registry cleaner lobby.

None for me.

Johnston

 

[JMH]

EWell I am going with the anti-registry cleaner lobby.

None for me.

Johnston

IMHO a wise decision Johnston.
Safe surfing.

 

[sygnus21]

Another anti-registry cleaner vote.

Here's some good material here - pro and con...Solved Do not use registry cleaners! - Vista Forums

 

[richc46]

Anyone reccomend a free registry cleaner?.

One that works and doesn't mess with your computer.

Johnston

I did not read throught every answer, but my suggestion is leave well enought alone. I have read about so many problems with registry cleaners. Just perform the normal maintenance, recommended by MS. If you have problems just do a system restore.

 

[BugMeister]

another vote for ccleaner here
- been using it for years - never any problems
- you can re-import deleted/fixed items if you do notice any irregularities..
- it'll even do secure file deletion, if you set it up appropriately

- it's a well-tested and thoroughly reliable (free) product..

 

[Newt]

Ditto jimbo.

Did anyone mention Revo's uninstaller? Didn't see it. It's free and it gets rid of just about every speck of crap a program dumps on your system. Sometimes I'll have to manually trash of a few harmless files after Revo, but I've never had to dig into the registry because Revo pulls that junk out and it does a superb job and doesn't screw your computer as a result. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Good answer,
I agree 100%,.It is what I use,just used it an hour ago,and I usually recommend it, don't know why I didn't in my first answer.

I use it all the time since I download a lot of utilities and other "stuff" to try out and end up removing much of what I try.So I want to keep my registry somewhat free of junk.

I like revo and I trust it.

 

[MadMatt]

don't use registry cleaner in Ccleaner, it's a time-bomb. everything will start showing error messages gradually. in my case I'm lucky I was still be able to do a System Restore.

and guys, how about uniblue registry booster? It has GOLD MICROSOFT CERTIFICATE. I've used its registry cleaning once that has found 2000 registry errors and had it fix it all 2 days ago, not a single error YET.

 

[wilfj]

Anyone reccomend a free registry cleaner?.

One that works and doesn't mess with your computer.

Johnston

I've used CCLEANER for 2 years and with Windows 7 no problems so far.

It's possible with any cleaner if you actually have a bad registry entry the Cleaner will clean the entry but it could be related to another function, Houston you have a problem.
Backup your Registry before using any cleaner on your system.

 

[MadMatt]

A safe alternative would be to download Windows Live Safety Scanner (it is free) and run it. It will show all registry errors (usually uninstalled programs and Active X controls). It also scans for viruses. It is safe. But in order to use it to it's fullest, choose complete scan. It will take awhile, but will be worth it. You can even use your PC or laptop while scanning. As for all these other "free" or even paid registry cleaners, it is best to avoid them. Some of them will show hundreds of problems to repair just to get your money. A lot of these programs are garbage, and may place spyware or adware on your system. The choice that I gave you at first is your best option, and it also creates a restore point. I run it on a monthly basis and have had no problems.

it stays on initializing forever, and when I minimized then maximized its window turned to all white.

 

[catilley1092]

For whatever reason, Windows Live Safety Scanner won't install on my 64 bit version of Win 7. It gave the error code:0x0c600c03. I googled it, and it led me right back to that program. A lot of 64 bit users are experiencing this problem. I use it every month on both of my XP laptops. And CCleaner has some excellent cleaning tools, but I don't trust my registry with it. I use it every night to clean temp internet files, because your built in disc cleaner only deletes them. CCleaner shreds them 35 times (the Guttman method). Until Windows provides me with a safe alternative, I'll leave the registry cleaners alone.

 

[BugMeister]

don't use registry cleaner in Ccleaner, it's a time-bomb. everything will start showing error messages gradually. in my case I'm lucky I was still be able to do a System Restore.

and guys, how about uniblue registry booster? It has GOLD MICROSOFT CERTIFICATE. I've used its registry cleaning once that has found 2000 registry errors and had it fix it all 2 days ago, not a single error YET.

I find that rather disturbing..

Ccleaner has NEVER ever caused me any problems
- and I've been using it for 5 years..!!