Computer newbies: Registry "Cleaners"
Registry "Cleaners"
by Vince.Rosati - 8/18/09 1:39 PMWithout any BS, can anyone say whether the myriad Registry Cleaners/Optimizers/Defraggers are worth more than spit? (I have tried freebies and several purchased versions. I think they all make stuff up so you will think you are getting something of value.)
Forthrightness will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Vince
Forthright? I wouldn't touch them!
by MarkFlax
- 8/18/09 1:48 PM
In reply to: Registry "Cleaners" by Vince.Rosati
We see, all too often, pleas for help in these forums where a user has used this or that Registry Cleaner, or Optimizer, and removed or changed something critical to the system. Next time they boot up, the boot process fails, or there is some other major harm done.
It's sad, because from Windows XP onwards the registry has needed little help, and it manages itself quite nicely. It is a database, so any unused registry entries just stay, 'unused'. It takes up little space, and defragging the registry is not required. Removing unused entries does not increase performance.
Hard Disk defraggers may be different, (if that is what you mean by defraggers). There is often talk that the Windows defragmentation tool could be better, and that there are other, better tools available. But even there, I have never used anything other than Windows' own defragmemter, and my systems run smoothly. I don't even run the defragmenter that often.
I hope that's plain enough? 
Mark
Some aren't harmful.
by Kees Bakker - 8/18/09 1:50 PM
In reply to: Registry "Cleaners" by Vince.Rosati
But if they are useful is a different question. And it is rather certain that some are a total scam.
Read a 319-post discussion in http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6138_102-0.html?threadID=345107 and you get a good picture.
Kees
Personal Opinions Will Abound.. And It Appears Like....
by Grif Thomas - 8/18/09 1:55 PM
In reply to: Registry "Cleaners" by Vince.Rosati
..you've already made your decision..
But here's mine...
Defrag programs assist performance a small amount IF the computer is badly fragmented.. Primarily, they keep files organized on a drive so the seek time is less. But since the built-in Windows Disc Defragmenter works fine for most, why use something else. We defrag all our corporate comps every couple of months just to keep them at optimum levels but we see very little, if any, change in performance after a defrag.
Registry cleaners and optimizers are almost unnecessary except in extreme situations and in many cases remove NECESSARY files and entries which make more problems than they fix. We frequently assist those who have allowed a registry cleaner to automatically remove an entry and then the computer doesn't function correctly. Be cautious when cleaning out the registry and doubly cautious if any tool decides when and which registry entries it want to remove.
Hope this helps.
Grif
Registry Cleaners
by Vince.Rosati - 8/18/09 7:02 PM In reply to: Personal Opinions Will Abound.. And It Appears Like.... by Grif Thomas
Thanks, gents, for the feedback. I read several of the posts about cleaners and found them informative.
The bottom line though, is that "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
By the way, the defragger I was talking about is supposed to be a Registry defragger.
Thanks again,
Vince
Something works for me
by richteral - 8/22/09 10:14 AM In reply to: Registry Cleaners by Vince.RosatiAnd it is all free stuff, although contributions are surely welcome. I happen to run a combination of CCleaner and Privacy Mantra mostly, and that is on everyday basis. Apart from these two, I occasionally make use of Registry Distiller and EasyCleaner, the latter being a sort of sentimental legacy for me. They all work very well, although with the latter two I need to be careful on deletions. I have not had to defragment for years, which says it all. Perhaps I'd be fine without any of those little helpers, but am I gonna test that proposition? No. Proof of the pudding is in the eating, Vince, so why not keep an open mind on this. I notice a rather negative slant here.
Why We Have The "Negative Slant"...
by Grif Thomas - 8/22/09 12:33 PM
In reply to: Something works for me by richteral
Just an example.. Read the posts in the thread below then see what the "proof of the pudding" is all about. It's only one example but we see a number of users on these forums who have problems after using such cleaners... Apparently, you've been lucky using the tools you prefer.. Not all have been so..
Just an example:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6121_102-0.html?messageID=2387276#2387276
Most importantly, we've yet to see a third party/impartial testing process which shows increased performance with the use of ANY registry cleaner.. By the way, the use of a registry cleaner has NOTHING to do with defragmenting.. Although there ARE studies that show occasional defragmenting of fragmented drives will increase performance, we've yet to see such for reg cleaners.. And remember, for every registry entry that is removed from the registry (they are basic text files), it actually fragments the registry slightly making it slightly slower for use by the system..
To each his own...
Hope this helps.
Grif
Horses for courses
by richteral - 8/23/09 11:22 AM In reply to: Why We Have The "Negative Slant"... by Grif Thomas
Not to split words: Only one of the four facilities I mention is registry cleaner pure & simple; the others do much more, and they do it well. Obviously that is why defragmenting is not needed. Since they throw in cleaning the registry, I let them do that, too. Never any lasting harm done. As with anything, it helps a lot to read the manual, attend to the settings and do a backup, especially if that option is expressly offered. Click No? Consequences are yours entirely. It is good to know HOW the thing works, right? If someone wants to have a miracle performed by pressing one button only, sit back & enjoy, there may well be due rewards in the offing. Sorry, no tea & sympathy.
It also helps to look up here on CNET Downloads what one is getting instead of trusting blindly. It is dead easy, and if people would bother, they might get wise. Of the pack I run, all but the Registry Distiller are rated generally 4 out of 5, and in my experience this evaluation is pretty valid. I am not talking luck; just due diligence and safe practice.
In my book, it is not so much a question of speeding up the system as keeping it orderly. Registry cleaners have been tested as far as I recall, and the good ones do increase speed. Fractionally, which is why humans hardly notice. So there we go.
Fully agree with you!
by praveen307 - 8/24/09 9:25 AM In reply to: Horses for courses by richteralThats very true! People are lazy enough not to analyze which software is suitable for them and their system. If they just sit and relax without knowing what the software is doing, they have to pay for the consequences.
I use a few softwares like CCleaner, Defraggler and a few registry cleaners. To be fair, these software are like regular maintenance - they help to keep the memory and file system in order, rather than increase speed. Not using these software is like running a car for years without a service. You know its consequences!
I'll Still Ask The Question...
by Grif Thomas - 8/28/09 7:54 PM
In reply to: Horses for courses by richteral
As you stated: "Since they throw in cleaning the registry, I let them do that, too. Never any lasting harm done." Unfortunately, as shown in my previous post, there is frequently "harm done"..
Your statement: "Registry cleaners have been tested as far as I recall, and the good ones do increase speed." seems to be a myth that many still believe in... In all my personal tests and research, as I stated earlier, I'm still waiting for a good test review, made by a third party, which show they do anything of the sort.. So I'll ask you as I've asked others... "Show me..".
Hope this helps.
Grif
Enough said already.
by richteral - 9/1/09 3:27 PM In reply to: I'll Still Ask The Question... by Grif Thomas
Howgh!
I use this
by Dango517 - 8/22/09 8:46 PM In reply to: Registry "Cleaners" by Vince.Rosatihttp://www.iolo.com/system-mechanic/pro/
It comes with a complete security suite as well. It's an all-in-one package and runs with the push of a button.
I do not work for this firm nor receive any compensation from them in any fashion for these comments. I simply use this software.
No software is absolutely problem free, By-the-way.
Ouch.
by R. Proffitt - 8/23/09 4:26 AM
In reply to: I use this by Dango517
We have discussions about that one too. It seems these things do not work well for everyone.
Many On These Forums Have Had Problems With iolo
by Grif Thomas - 8/23/09 11:19 AM
In reply to: I use this by Dango517
Although a few on these forums like the product, I find way too many who have issues.. Not my idea of a glowing recommendation.. Just a few such examples:
You were involved in this discussion and there were a few users that had poor results with the program..
System Mechanic 7 locked up my computer
How do I Get rid of Iolo Fraud in a phantom subscription?
There bad reviews go back quite a ways. Just start clicking on the numbers in the review list.. Not many are happy with the program.:
System Mechanic 6 Professional
iolo does not stand by their product with support
iolo system mechanic 8 antivirus disc will not run
can't uninstall System Mechanic 6 Pro! help!
Still, if you like the product, each to their own...
Hope this helps.
Grif
Registry Cleaners
by Vince.Rosati - 8/25/09 1:38 PM In reply to: Many On These Forums Have Had Problems With iolo by Grif Thomas
I read many of the discussions in the link that Grif gave a few days ago. In one of them, RegSeeker was mentioned as being a cleaner that lets you exercize a lot of control. I downloaded it.
So far, it seems to do the job with my INFORMED participation, something I had not seen before. For example, after a few iterations, I may finally be rid of all traces of Symantec! I have been trying to do that for about a year.
On the other hand, after that initial success, I let Regseeker do its thing automatically. It threw out some needed stuff, so I had to go back to do a System Restore to regain control of my Desktop, among others.
So I think I have learned a valuable lesson; Truly, IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT.
Thanks for all the participation, and regards to all.
Vince
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