So, just what *is* the Consensus on Reg Cleaners?

[James Colbert]

For many years, I've avoided using registry cleaners because of the potential for disaster, but I notice that some senior members recommend CCleaner.

How do most feel about registry cleaning?

For those, who avoid it (like me), are there times when you would righteously use a cleaner?

I think that most responses will be nix on the RCs, but am interested in hearing both sides and seeing what the Go/No Go ratio is.

Thanks for your input,
James

 

[strollin]

I'm personally not a fan of them. I've used them and didn't notice any difference in performance (or otherwise) between using them or not.

 

[Wishmaster]

Ccleaner is a excellent app for deleting all the Temp & Junk Files.
Even managing startup items if you choose.

As far as the reg Cleaner portion, I do not recommend using a Reg cleaner of any form. Not even Ccleaners.


Its registry cleaner itself is actually a rather mild one however.
Still, If you use it, pay very close attention to what it lists, and only delete thing you know for a fact are no longer present on your PC.

 

[marsmimar]

I've used the reg cleaner that's a part of CCleaner for several years without any problems. It's a matter of personal choice. For those who may not be aware of it, Microsoft offers it's own registry cleaner as part of it's OneCare Safety Scanner. Under featured articles click on "About Vista/7 scanner" and then "What is the registry and why should I clean it".

What's new - Windows Live OneCare safety scanner for Windows Vista and Windows 7

 

[MoInSTL]

I use reg cleaners. But I am familiar with the registry. I just uninstalled Kaspersky Internet Security suite and it left behind quite a few registry entries. I don't use CCleaner reg cleaner, I use a couple of others. If you don't uninstall or change many things, then there is little benefit.

 

[bobtran]

I do not use any Reg cleaners and do not recommend them. Windows 7 is self policing and runs very well without intervention unless there is a problem, the use of Reg cleaners is far more likely to "cause" problems than fix them.

You can use CCleaner to remove temp files and do basic maintenance but I find it just as simple (although slower) to do it manually giving me more control over the details. Remember that "tools" just put a GUI front end on the tasks that are doable manually....there's nothing magic about them.

 

[Al Fairclough]

Anytime I have used 'cleaners', I have eventually borked the registry, so I don't bother anymore. A clean install each year seems to work fine.

 

[SledgeDG]

I stopped using them after XP because I didn't see any gain whatsoever in using them. Even after cleaning out of hundreds of supposedly faulty reg entries, there was no change in windows behavior.
Plus...even if all those keys were faulty/damaged, my windows ran just fine without any problems whatsoever.
Since I try not to fix what isn't broken, I just didn't use reg cleaners anymore. But hey, that's just me...to each his own

bobtran made a good point:

Remember that "tools" just put a GUI front end on the tasks that are doable manually....there's nothing magic about them.

And that's IMHO just the two edged sword: The GUI enables inexperienced users to facilitate those commands without really knowing what they're doing and thus potentially laying grounds for failing/misbehaving OS and or applications.
-DG

 

[James Colbert]

Thanks for the replies/opinions. The ratio seems about what I assumed it might be, even in this small 'sampling'. It's unlikely that I'll start using one now. In XP, I used the scanreg command when I had a registry problem. Since using Vista and Win7, I haven't had any registry issues at all, but if I were to have any, are there any utilities that specialize in finding and repairing Win7/Vista corrupt registry entries, or has windows come so far that such things are now unheard of?

Thanks,
James

 

[pparks1]

I don't use registry cleaners and don't suggest that others use them either.

My philosophy is different. Rather than use a registry cleaner to clean up your machine AFTER the fact, I simply choose to not installs tons of crap that I later need to get rid of. Instead, I keep the box clean, make a clean image and keep it clean. When I want to test or play, there is always a VM that I can test in.

 

[James Colbert]

I don't use registry cleaners and don't suggest that others use them either.

My philosophy is different. Rather than use a registry cleaner to clean up your machine AFTER the fact, I simply choose to not installs tons of crap that I later need to get rid of. Instead, I keep the box clean, make a clean image and keep it clean. When I want to test or play, there is always a VM that I can test in.

And a good philosophy it is, one that I follow as well (with the exception of using a VM...I make regular images with Acronis TI, from which I restore when expedient).

James

 

[jimbo45]

Hi all
roughly the same as PPARKS1.

Install stuff on a Virtual machine first then if OK install on a Real machine.

If I need to CLEAN the registry it's SYSTEM RESTORE time for me too.

If you don't like Virtual Machines why not image your system before each Software (or set of) software installs.

Then if the stuff doesn't work just restore a previous image -- saves mucking about with Reg cleaners and uninstall programs.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[mickey megabyte]

i would much rather have a slightly-dirty working registry, than a squeaky-clean broken one.

you don't get any performance boost, nor do you get less errors by 'cleaning'...so i don't bother.

 

[James Colbert]

Again, thanks to all for your opinions. It certainly makes it easier to stay on track.

James