CCleaner help.

[JigsawPMB]

I was pointed in the direction in another thread on a different topic to ccleaner. I have since downloaded it and have played with it a bit. I do not know exactly how to use it. I did a scan on the registry and have a huge page full of listings. Is there a way to copy that and post it here? I am scared to have it "clean" the registy files before I know what they are.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Most here will probably tell you not to clean the registry, even with CCleaner, which is held in high regard generally. The chances of it having a measurable effect are minimal and you are taking some risk. But some people have a compulsion to clean stuff.

I've occasionally used the registry cleaner portion and have never had any trouble. But I've never noticed any performance improvement.

If you just can't help yourself and have to use it, do a backup when it offers you the chance.

A guru I know of says he has used it for a decade on the registry with no issues, but he leaves the "unused file extensions" checkbox unchecked.

Suit yourself. I don't think the comments on this forum about not using it persuades many people.

By all accounts, the other part of it--the regular cleaner---is nearly foolproof and many here use it enthusiastically. I am one of those people. I don't notice any performance improvement, but it does save space over time.

 

[Layback Bear]

I have use Ccleaner for years on all my computers.
My recommendation when it comes to the Registry Cleaner section is if you use it always use the backup it requests.
I personally never let it remove anything that I don't understand or have knowledge of.
You can have many unneeded things in the registry and it won't hurt anything. Removing one thing that is needed can cause all kinds of problems.

***A basic rule of the thumb when it comes to Windows registry is simple.
Unless you have the proper knowledge leave the registry alone.

 

[akjudge]

From personal experience, I have a different opinion of Registry Cleaners, so while I use CCleaner to clean temp files, etc., I do not use it to clean a Registry, and believe Registry Cleaning is not routinely needed. My problem arose in an astronomical software program (+$500 program), as described below:

The Path value in the App Paths key of the Windows Registry is used by the operating system to determine the location of shared files for a particular executable. In my case (along with others), CCleaner read the Path value as an error, causing the deletion of this Value (pointer), causing a dll file (APOGEE32-dll) not to load, and you guessed it, the program not to launch. The required dll (APOGEE32-dll) was available, but the registry Path had been deleted, making it inaccessible to the program. CCleaner was not alone in doing this -- turns out that Norton Win Doctor (among others) also read the Path as an error, and deleted the value (pointer). The fix for most people was to re-install the software, to get the right Registry key re-installed.

In spite of this, I would continue to use CCleaner Registry Cleaner, but unchecked the box to "fix" this specific Path. But not always being as attentive as I should be, I'd just click "Fix Issues"... and then it would be another re-install. Finally I woke up, re-installed the software, then located the Registry Key, exported it to the desktop, so the next time I got careless I could just put the deleted key back into the registry.

I am NOT faulting CCleaner (nor the software program). I am just pointing out that no Registry Cleaner is absolutely safe. The makers of CCleaner know this, and responsibly give the user a chance to save (export) the Registry before doing any Fixes. They do this because they know that cleaning the registry is not always safe. So if there is a problem after running the Fixes, you can always go back and re-install the registry. This works great, IF you discover the problem in a short period of time. But in my case, along with other astrophotographers, cloudy weather meant I did not discover the problem until weeks later (and several Registry Key additions later)... So re-installing the pre-fix Registry was of no use...

With modern OS, a registry cleaner is not needed as a regular maintenance tool, and potentially can cause problems not immediately discoverable...

Jim

 

[Gandalf]

Like LayBack Bear, I have used CCleaner for many years. I have never had a problem with using it, have recommended it to many forum members, and have never heard of a user with any negative feedback of the program. I, also, agree that when it asks if you want to create a backup, you response with in the affirmative.

Wanting to understand each of the items in your listing is admirable, but not very practical, especially as you say the list is long. I, also, agree that most registry cleaners should never even be installed on a PC. CCleaner is the only exception I would make. I wish you well in your endeavor.

 

[AddRAM]

I use Ccleaner every time I`m done with the pc, and I use the registry cleaner daily, never ever had an issue with it.

 

[fireberd]

I don't usually recommend registry cleaners/repairers. However, I used to run CCleaner and didn't have any problems. But, I've had service calls on client PC's that were not running properly after they had used some registry program.

My newest PC (will be two years old in August) has both Win 7 and Win 8 dual boot (with separate drives) and I've never run a registry cleaner and both work without problems. My Win 7 system is also my recording studio system and recording studio software can be very system intensive and it too runs perfectly (I use Sonar X3 64 bit Producer version).

 

[pbcopter]

I would not use any registry cleaner. The Windows 7 registry does not need cleaning.

Just my opinion.

 

[JigsawPMB]

I understand and agree with the opinion of windows 7 not needing any register cleaners. However let me add this varible to the issue. I purchased this laptop used only cause I got a deal unpassable on it. That being said I haven't been the sole owner, installer, account holder etc...since day one so through past expierence I know that some people will click and install any old thing and mess with any old file without a ounce of knowledge in thier head as to what they are about to do. Me...I could care less about playing games online with this laptop, I basically want to keep it fast (which it is struggling to do as time goes on, after the initial windows logo upon booting, I log on and get a black screen with a movable cursor and it seems as though the time for it to go away get's long each day.) so if anyone would be willing to tell me what all this is if they recognize something that shouldn't be there please point it out. And if you know of the reason for the black screen I would love to be filled in on it. I am attaching a copy of what ccleaner found earlier today. Both the registry and start up programs. Thank you!

P.S. I could care less about any cd burning cyber anything programs...haha

 

[Gandalf]

Can you post an image of the Device Manager, please.

 

[JigsawPMB]

here it is i didn't know exactly what you wanted to see within it

 

[Gandalf]

here it is i didn't know exactly what you wanted to see within it

The point is, it eliminates one possible cause for problems. All of your devices/drivers look good.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I assume you think maybe CCleaner can eliminate whatever problems you have with the laptop.

I have no idea at all if that is true, but you can certainly run the registry cleaner and see if it helps--make sure you make a registry backup when CCleaner mentions it. If the removal of those registry items causes new problems or doesn't get rid of your existing problems, you could restore the registry (undo the changes made by CCleaner).

I'd have my doubts it would help.

You can also uncheck that stuff in startup and see if it helps. Windows should run with it unchecked, although I'd leave anti-virus checked.

Are you averse to a clean install?

 

[JigsawPMB]

yeah the device manager is one of the things I checked in my routine if you will. I have a microcomputer tech degree from years back. When vista hit the market from the first time I booted it I hated it and that has never changed to this day, along with hating it I fell away from keeping my education level to the new OS's when they came out. So in the meantime I'm asking questions again. haha.

 

[JigsawPMB]

adverse? Not really. Thing is though as of right now this laptop had a owner before me, and if i had to guess which isn't hard to do with the bloatware that is on this thing, what is on it now came preinstalled for the previous owner. And in my case for sure was preloaded when I bought it. What complicated the whole thing is...I have every OS and every edition of said OS"s right up to vista. Vista came, and I went! So right now a clean install wont happen as I dont have a copy of windows 7 just yet, and when I do have a copy of it, it won't be this bottom feeder home edition crap. FRUSTRATES ME!