PC utilities forum: Removing traces of uninstalled software

Hi Jonah, thanks for the advice but i don't see positive user reviews for RegScrubXP version 5.1 on CNET. Should i try this?

I see you have already used Glary's Utilities and Auslogics, neither of which we ever recommend for registry cleaning.

In fact, we do recommend not touching the registry. It does not need defragging, and if your system is working fine it does not need fixing. If you look around in these forms you will see numerous, (far too numerous), posts with cries for help after some registry cleaner or other has trashed a system. Such damage is often terminal and a compete reinstall is all too often the only solution.

The registry does not need fixing. It is a database only and any orphan entries are simply ignored by the OS. Similarly it does not need defragging. Unused entries are ignored and they do not take up any space. The registry file itself is very small in size and is only accessed when needed.

About your other points;

2] Remove remnants of uninstalled software. Once the software is properly uninstalled, then you can go searching the hard drive using Windows Explorer for remnants of folders and files, usually in the Program files folder. Deleting those are fine, but I would always reboot a system after an uninstall anyway as that very action can often 'clean up' remnants.

3] Selective deletion of System Restore points. No such thing I am afraid. You can delete all restore points, or delete all but the latest restore points, but deleting selective restore point backup files is full of difficulty and danger.

4] Remove toolbars. In browsers I either remove or disable the add-on, or right click the toolbar and remove it that way if there is that option. Another way, goto View > Toolbars and remove it from there.

Again, I recommend users stay away from the registry.

Mark

CCleaner is freeware that cleans up temporary and 'remnant' files, and also has a 'light' registry cleaner built in if you find it necessary to run such. I would not go beyond that, regarding the registry, unless you want to risk damaging Windows and/or installed software.

John

Revo is the stock uninstaller I use. If you use the default settings, it will run the native unistallers and do a decent job of registry and file purges. IMHO, most people don't need to use the extreme settings.

Really hard to beat Revo