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PC utilities: Do computer Registry cleaners really work?
- 6/19/09 12:42 PM
I find they do in most situations.
by Madcow9597 - 6/5/09 9:11 PM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The one I like to use is called Glary Utilities. It works and best it's free.
Do...,Work?
by tjbrew - 6/5/09 9:16 PM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Great Question!Thanks.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6138_102-0.html?messageID=305618
by zookeeper820 - 6/5/09 9:40 PM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I use Ccleaner the free version,it keeps my registry clean and makes sure my dll library is linked up. Also can stop programs from loading at start up.
Registry cleaners
by scodavis - 6/5/09 10:14 PM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
No, registry cleaners are a complete sham. I've used many of them and they have never sped up my machine or solved a single problem. They are the computer equivalent of snake oil.
If your computer is so messed up you need a 'registry cleaner' then back up the few files (trust me, you have fewer files on your computer that are personal than you think) on one of the extremely cheap USB flashcards, back up your email and address book and reformat your disk. In my experience there is nothing better than a clean install every year or so.
I know a reformat sounds intimidating, but it's very easy. Having a second disk drive makes it a snap but with so many cheap USB flash drives out there it's even easier.
I am 50 years old and have helped many friends with their computer problems but the solution has NEVER been a registry cleaner.
Another good hint. If you install a program and don't like it, never uninstall it. Windows is legendary at leaving junk on your computer when a program is supposedly 'uninstalled'. Always do a simple system restore to right before you installed the offending program. This keeps your registry relatively pristine for years.
And most importantly of all, N E V E R use Norton's utilities. It's total bloatware and there are free programs readily availble on the web that perform the tasks Norton is supposed to do without Norton's taking control of everything that happens on your computer.
It happened with me
by eltaraaa - 6/5/09 10:48 PM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I faced the same problem with exactly the same senario, even I used 2 different trial verions after cleaning the registry with a $39 software, they showed 2 different errors. I think it is a trick to buy. What definitly this program is doing is the routine cleaning by deleting the temp file, history and your recycle bin
Registry Cleaner
by jomueller - 6/5/09 11:38 PM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The Avanquest System Suite, which i use since several years, is a multi-purpose tool that I would not want to miss. It cleans the registry (a monstrous invention by the devil) perfectly and helps with compacting. Performance is better after the cleanup of a real "dirty" system.
It has one flaw: When I start the built-in firewall and avir components I cannot play my old Monopoly any more.
Yes and No, but...
by THEWONDERSLUG - 6/5/09 11:46 PM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Regardless of whether they are the best rated cleaners known to coputerkind or not be ABSOLUTELY certain you back up the enrtire registry someplace you can access it if the cleaner cleans stuff your machine needs to succesfully load the OS...
Also, the cleaner you choose should give you the option of viewing the hive keys and sub keys (HKEY_) being dumped beforehand...and you should look very carefully to be certain a key being dumped isn't connected to something that's currently installed...
More than anything else be careful, because if you blow out the registry you're generally screwed and headed for a reinstall...
Registry Cleaners....welll
by sir cumferance - 6/6/09 12:00 AM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Yes they work - but they sell too - so the free one will always generate a list of problems most of which will be innocuous and not of consequence in day to day operations
suggestion
try then buy TuneUp Utilities 2009 - best money I ever spent and does whats on the tin and heaps more - super value and you get 30 days to see what it can do for you - it optimizes and defrags as well and it even restores desk top icons
Its in the CNET lists and you can have a single user too..
Sir Cumferance
Free, simple and effective
by rogerarese - 6/6/09 12:01 AM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Yes, registry cleaners can clean out a lot of history, broken links, etc. and keep you computer running faster than it would otherwise. And no, you don't need to spend money to get and effective program. I run four programs: CCleaner, Advanced WindowsCare, Glary Utilities and TuneUp Utilities 2008. The last I paid for (2003-8) but decided not to buy 2009 as this is the least aggressive of the four and frankly I don't need it. The first three alone - all free - keep my 3 computers running smoothly. They seem to find different "errors" but run weekly in turn (never at the same time) they do the trick for me.
Registry cleaners
by harster - 6/6/09 12:11 AM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I absolutely trust Glary Utilities. It's a dynomite program for PC maintenance that I've been using for about three years. It does the job, and safely. Others that I've recommended it too like it as well, never a complaint and it's free. It's got many features other than the reg. cleaner. You might also try Comodo's reg cleaner. I haven't tried it but I like their other products. It's free too.
start
by lilianleighton - 6/6/09 12:49 AM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
hi,
my computer takes about 5 minutes to come on, is there any way i can make it come on faster.
Re: start
by rbsjrx - 6/7/09 6:51 AM In reply to: start by lilianleighton"my computer takes about 5 minutes to come on, is there any way i can make it come on faster."
A registry cleaner might be able to help, but before you try one, your first steps should be:
1. Instead of shutting it down when you're done, try putting it into sleep or hibernate mode.
2. Check your hardware and OS. Are you running Vista on a machine with 2GB or less RAM? That could be your problem right there. Take the question to the Vista forum.
3. Defragment your hard drive. Forget Microsoft's defragmenter - it's slow and not very good. Instead try IObit (my favorite), Glary, or Auslogics. All are free, but you can upgrade IObit's to where it runs continuously in the background just like Diskeeper (neither free nor especially cheap, it's what I use)
4. Get rid of all the various trialware, nagware, and other "free" software that came preloaded on your PC that you don't use. A good place to start is Norton antivirus. Replace it with Comodo firewall (free) and either Avast or AVG antivirus (also free). If you're not comfortable with anything less than commercial security protection, get Zone Alarm Extreme Security - it costs no more than Norton, works better, and works faster (it's also what I use).
5. Run MSCONFIG and see what programs are being run at boot time. Stop those that aren't necessary.
6. Use Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Services to turn off services you don't need or want (e.g. Windows Messenger).
7. Now, if all else has failed, try a registry cleaner. My personal recommendation is IObit's Advanced System care, but you could also use Ccleaner or others recommended here.
My best recommendation is to get rid of Windows entirely and replace it with Linux. For people used to Windows, I usually recommend either PCLinuxOS or Linux Mint - KDE edition.
Check your startup
by thegame102 - 6/7/09 12:55 PM In reply to: start by lilianleightonCheck what is in starting up. With many programs they indend to install in the startup mode but only a few is necessary. They do this to be able to start that program faster but in the mean time they take valuable memory and resources.
How to check: Click start, click the Run and in the dialog box type (with out the quote)"MSCONFIG" and then click the startup tab. Write down what you find and do a google search in which you'll find many sites telling you if it is safe to disable that program. I advise you to use a program like Ccleaner and disable the unnecessary item there because if any problem results you can go back and just enable it. Heres a decent site to check out, http://www.answersthatwork.com/
Scareware
by Rohor - 6/6/09 1:20 AM In reply to: Do computer Registry cleaners really work? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Some internet traps are known as Scareware programmes. A warning pops up that your computer is infected with all manner of intrusions -viruses, spyware, registry problems etc. and offers to fix them by clicking on a link and probably paying a fee. Typical names are Scan & Repair, AntiVirus 2009. Do not fall for these scams.
I am very wary of Registry cleaners, they can cause more trouble than what they fix
Scareware
by rbsjrx - 6/6/09 1:48 AM In reply to: Scareware by RohorScareware is a symptom of an infection in your system. With a decent security suite (bidirectional firewall, anti-virus & anti spyware) you'll never see it. The last time I saw any scareware was before I started using Zone Alarm several years ago. It also helps if you disable Windows Messenger (Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Services->Messenger).
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