How safe are 'tune-up' utilities?

webplodder

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Hi.

I have been using a 'tune-up' utility program for some time on previous PC's and OP's and have often wondered how safe such programs are, especially in regard to automatically altering the contents of the registry. Should such packages be used under advisement?

Thanks.
 

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Depends what u wish to achieve I suppose -- I'd be reluctant to mess about with the default settings of Windows 7. Take a look at this thread also:


You forgot the link.
 

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^Didn't forget BFK -- was searching for ;)
 

My Computer

OS
Windows XP - Now Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit).

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
* BFK Customs *
OS
W 7 64-bit Ultimate
CPU
Intel Q9550 Yorkfield
Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro
Memory
8GB Dominator 8500C5D
Graphics Card(s)
ATI : XFX 5870
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio 7-1
Monitor(s) Displays
1x 47" LCD HDMI & 3x 26" LCD HDMI
Screen Resolution
1920x1080P & 1920x1200
Hard Drives
1x 80GB Intel X25-M G2 SSD : 1x 500GB & 1x 640GB WD Caviar Black(s)
PSU
Corsair 620HX
Case
Cooler Master RC-690
Cooling
Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
Keyboard
Microsoft 500
Mouse
Razer Diamondback 3G
Internet Speed
14 Mb/s
Other Info
1x Koutech 3Gb/s SATA HDD Hot Swap Rack

My Computer

OS
Windows XP - Now Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit).

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ESP DESK TOP XB3051Q
OS
Windows 7
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300
Motherboard
FOXCONN G31MX SERIES (SOCKET 775)
Memory
2.0 GB RAM SINGLE-CHANNEL DDR2@399MHz 6-6-6-18
Graphics Card(s)
GeForce 8400 GS
Sound Card
REALTEX HIGH DEFINITION
Monitor(s) Displays
F22 on NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 1280 x 720 pixels
Screen Resolution
1280 x 720 pixels
Hard Drives
488.39 GB WESTERN DIGITAL WDC WD 5000AAKS-22VIAO ATA DEVICE (IDE) 39 deg. C
Keyboard
STANDARD PS/2 KEYBOARD
Mouse
B.C.L. 3D OPTICAL MOUSE 5v 100ma
Internet Speed
DOWNSTREAM: 8 Kbps, UPSTREAM 440 Kbps
Depends what u wish to achieve I suppose -- I'd be reluctant to mess about with the default settings of Windows 7. Take a look at this thread also:

http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/81432-10-windows-speed-tips-dont-work.html

Thanks manhunter, it seems these utilities are just not required then. But what about registry problems? How can you know there are problems in the registry and how to deal with them without using a utility?

I think we need more specifics here -- is there a particular problem you are experiencing? I'd rather tackle it individually as opposed to a 'brute force' method that many/some of the tune-up utilities employ.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows XP - Now Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit).
Depends what u wish to achieve I suppose -- I'd be reluctant to mess about with the default settings of Windows 7. Take a look at this thread also:

http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/81432-10-windows-speed-tips-dont-work.html

Thanks manhunter, it seems these utilities are just not required then. But what about registry problems? How can you know there are problems in the registry and how to deal with them without using a utility?

I think we need more specifics here -- is there a particular problem you are experiencing? I'd rather tackle it individually as opposed to a 'brute force' method that many/some of the tune-up utilities employ.


Well, no, I have no problems that I am aware of at the moment but when I have used my tune-up utility in the past it often informed me that certain registry keys were empty, for example, and deleted them. I'm not using such a utility on my PC right now so how will I know if I have any problems to solve? Presumably there will be symptoms won't there?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ESP DESK TOP XB3051Q
OS
Windows 7
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300
Motherboard
FOXCONN G31MX SERIES (SOCKET 775)
Memory
2.0 GB RAM SINGLE-CHANNEL DDR2@399MHz 6-6-6-18
Graphics Card(s)
GeForce 8400 GS
Sound Card
REALTEX HIGH DEFINITION
Monitor(s) Displays
F22 on NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 1280 x 720 pixels
Screen Resolution
1280 x 720 pixels
Hard Drives
488.39 GB WESTERN DIGITAL WDC WD 5000AAKS-22VIAO ATA DEVICE (IDE) 39 deg. C
Keyboard
STANDARD PS/2 KEYBOARD
Mouse
B.C.L. 3D OPTICAL MOUSE 5v 100ma
Internet Speed
DOWNSTREAM: 8 Kbps, UPSTREAM 440 Kbps
Thanks manhunter, it seems these utilities are just not required then. But what about registry problems? How can you know there are problems in the registry and how to deal with them without using a utility?

I think we need more specifics here -- is there a particular problem you are experiencing? I'd rather tackle it individually as opposed to a 'brute force' method that many/some of the tune-up utilities employ.


Well, no, I have no problems that I am aware of at the moment but when I have used my tune-up utility in the past it often informed me that certain registry keys were empty, for example, and deleted them. I'm not using such a utility on my PC right now so how will I know if I have any problems to solve? Presumably there will be symptoms won't there?

That's one of the main reasons I refuse use these 'tune-up' utilities (so called) -- they purport to 'fix' and tidy your registry but do they really? Everything is done blind without your acknowledgment; i think they cause more problems than they claim to fix. I still am adamant - sounding like a broken record here Lol - that W7 needs very little tampering with from its default settings. IMHO :cool:
 

My Computer

OS
Windows XP - Now Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit).
I think we need more specifics here -- is there a particular problem you are experiencing? I'd rather tackle it individually as opposed to a 'brute force' method that many/some of the tune-up utilities employ.


Well, no, I have no problems that I am aware of at the moment but when I have used my tune-up utility in the past it often informed me that certain registry keys were empty, for example, and deleted them. I'm not using such a utility on my PC right now so how will I know if I have any problems to solve? Presumably there will be symptoms won't there?

That's one of the main reasons I refuse use these 'tune-up' utilities (so called) -- they purport to 'fix' and tidy your registry but do they really? Everything is done blind without your acknowledgment; i think they cause more problems than they claim to fix. I still am adamant - sounding like a broken record here Lol - that W7 needs very little tampering with from its default settings. IMHO :cool:


OK, thanks for the advice manhunter. :)
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ESP DESK TOP XB3051Q
OS
Windows 7
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300
Motherboard
FOXCONN G31MX SERIES (SOCKET 775)
Memory
2.0 GB RAM SINGLE-CHANNEL DDR2@399MHz 6-6-6-18
Graphics Card(s)
GeForce 8400 GS
Sound Card
REALTEX HIGH DEFINITION
Monitor(s) Displays
F22 on NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 1280 x 720 pixels
Screen Resolution
1280 x 720 pixels
Hard Drives
488.39 GB WESTERN DIGITAL WDC WD 5000AAKS-22VIAO ATA DEVICE (IDE) 39 deg. C
Keyboard
STANDARD PS/2 KEYBOARD
Mouse
B.C.L. 3D OPTICAL MOUSE 5v 100ma
Internet Speed
DOWNSTREAM: 8 Kbps, UPSTREAM 440 Kbps
^Not a problem and let us know if u need any additional help.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows XP - Now Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit).
I think we need more specifics here -- is there a particular problem you are experiencing? I'd rather tackle it individually as opposed to a 'brute force' method that many/some of the tune-up utilities employ.


Well, no, I have no problems that I am aware of at the moment but when I have used my tune-up utility in the past it often informed me that certain registry keys were empty, for example, and deleted them. I'm not using such a utility on my PC right now so how will I know if I have any problems to solve? Presumably there will be symptoms won't there?

That's one of the main reasons I refuse use these 'tune-up' utilities (so called) -- they purport to 'fix' and tidy your registry but do they really? Everything is done blind without your acknowledgment; i think they cause more problems than they claim to fix. I still am adamant - sounding like a broken record here Lol - that W7 needs very little tampering with from its default settings. IMHO :cool:
I concur 100%. These utilities, especially reg cleaners, can actually mess up your system. Win 7 does not the the tuning and maintenance that XP did. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 

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