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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: cinchez on June 04, 2009, 05:35:59 PM
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Umm im quite puzzled about this topic and i nid ur suggestions on this...^^
So if it is safe, can u pls mention a couple of examples?^^(aside from CCleaner^^)
Thanks^^
-AnimeLover^^
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There is little in life that can be considered 'safe' some registry cleaners are very powerful, digging deep into the registry to find what it considers redundant entries. Others aren't so aggressive in their reporting.
The problem is that the user has to have an understanding of the registry or they could be removing something important.
Some cleaners have a traffic light style Red could be a high risk if removed, Amber medium risk if removed and Green generally safe to remove. So the user has to exercise caution in what they remove.
Many cleaners also back-up what they remove so it can be reversed later if required. That however, could be a problem if that registry entry has anything to do with the OS running. You have to get familiar with the cleaner you are going to use and importantly its backup/recovery function.
So as you are now getting the picture, it isn't totally safe, any editing of the registry, either manual or with a cleaner is subject to risk.
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In other words, they can do more harm than good.
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Ccleaner is not a deep one, so it does no harm, let's not exaggerate.
Of course, the deeper the more dangerous tool it will be.
For instance, some of the Wise Registry Cleaner operations could mess the computer. Use with caution or, like you've said, do not use it ;)
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That is always the risk, so a good back-up and recovery strategy is important to be able to get up and running again with little fuss.
There is no exaggeration, just look at the ccleaner settings for what it looks for and there are several that could potentially ruin your day.
I was also speaking generally as per the Topic Title "Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?" and not just about ccleaners registry cleaner function.
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There is only one that hasn't messed up anything yet. Sure it doesn't clean as much as others, but at least it's the safest (which i can't say for pretty much all others).
And that is CCleaner. Very reliable cleaner that has never ever messed up anything on any of my systems. Have tried nearly all freeware cleaners from SnapFiles and they all eventually messed up something.
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There is no exaggeration, just look at the ccleaner settings for what it looks for and there are several that could potentially ruin your day.
Well... if you see that there is no exaggeration, well, never clean your computer from a file... ::)
There is only one that hasn't messed up anything yet. Sure it doesn't clean as much as others, but at least it's the safest (which i can't say for pretty much all others).
And that is CCleaner. Very reliable cleaner that has never ever messed up anything on any of my systems.
Fully agree.
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Since most of the responses above did not address "... can u pls mention a couple of examples?^^(aside from CCleaner^^)", I will suggest using TweakNow RegCleaner Standard. I have used this FREE registry cleaner for 4 or 5 years without a problem. It will provide results in 3 categories - Safe to Delete(green shield), Not Safe to Delete(yellow shield), and Unknown (meaning it is not known if the entry is safe to delete) represented by a blue shield.
It is easy to use and quick to work.
http://www.tweaknow.com/RegCleaner.html
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Hi CharleyO,
For all those that like to start using a registry cleaner should do so using utmost care not to ruin the settings of their computer. First and foremost learn in what way the Windows registry is organized.
http://www.computergeeksonline.net/fix-registry/windows-registry-explained.asp or
http://www.pctools.com/guides/article/id/1/
Some have played with it, for instance taking the start button of a desktop of a friend and other childish nuisances.
Also sometimes we have to do specific registry cleaning with manual malware removal procedures. Always perform a copy of the existing registry to go back to if anything goes wrong. Then from a notepad.exe file with step by step instructions make a print out to have next to you to work this out meticulously.
Things that could go wrong with the average registry vacuum cleaner is that various dll's share names but not similar functionality and there things can get seriously wrong, so take care,
polonus
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Unless your an expert, the best advice to follow is this:
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
Simply put, the small gain you might derive from tweaking and cleaning your registry
usually isn't worth the risk of having to re-install your system because of a mistake made during tweaking.
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Ok thanks for ur replies^^
So in majority and the conclusion, The Use of Registry Cleaners, aside from CCleaner, is Not safe^^
So how would i know if my registry is having some junks and unwanted stuffs which r not detected by CCleaner?^^
Wat would i do?^^
Another Question^^hehehe^^
Wat do u think about registry defrags?^^Is it safe?^^
Thanks^^
-AnimeLover^^
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-= Registry Defragger..? I use TuneUp Utilities Reg Defrag..
-= So far, no problems..
-= I've been using IObit before but hated it after having it modify my registry & set WaitToKillApp & WaitToKillService to 5000.. My computer can't handle such very short period of time to close programs so, lots of errors.. BTW, IObit has deep registry scanning engine [PRO]..
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I've had a problem after using the reg cleaner of Ccleaner, which basically stopped the computer from starting. Lot of remedial work required.
This is rare; Ccleaner is generally safe.
I think TweakNow is possibly even safer. It's very good.
I've also had to manually delete reg items (Some were locked and I needed to grant self permission to do so) to re-install or delete certain software, notably stuff from Comodo. Interesting exercise. I would undertake this only after reading a tutorial or two about the functioning of the registry.
So there is no easy "tick the box" answer, sorry.
As stated: Small benefit possibly gained vs potentially a lot to lose.
If you want to know what "junk" is in your registry that is not detected/removed by Ccleaner, you'll have to manually look at it, after learning about what can be removed/altered etc.
I occasionally (once every two months or so) use a reg defrag. Part of the Erunt (http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/) stable. No problems. Usually only saves about 2-4%. (Erunt is a very good auto-backup reg tool.)
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Hello SLifeR vi Britania,
I have used CCleaner daily for around three years now. My registry has never had a problem.
Just ensure the default settings are kept and it should be fine.
Regards,
Avastfan1
PS: Also make sure you download the slim version (without the toolbar).
http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds/downloading-slim (http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds/downloading-slim)
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@ALL
Thanks for the lightning-like speed replies^^
I really appreciate it...^^
I'll follow the majority decision^^hahahah^^Thanks again^^
-AnimeLover^^
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A very good question, AnimeLover. :) I have never had a problem using the Software section of RegCleaner 4.3. It's a very old program (freeware from 2002) but is still available from MajorGeeks and Softpedia, and is helpful in removing leftover registry entries from programs you've uninstalled (automatic backups are enabled by default).
On a similar note, has anyone experienced a problem using the registry cleaning portion of Revo Uninstaller? Personally, I have not, but have only used it less than six months.
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I have to be careful in how I state this to make sure I say it. I have mixed feeling on the cleaner now. I have made at least 4 mistake in downloading cleaner that were suppose to help me fix some thing. when I found out they were rogue I unstalled and and either the malwarebytes or the superantiSpyer along with using the avast scanner after. I was sent the URL to bleeping.com to help me clean up my computer. witch they did. how ever the one that help me said I should unstall any cleaner. because they created more problems then they were worth.
Like I say I have mixed feeling about this so for now I am not using any. hope this does not confuse you. :)
Sharon sham1313
Umm im quite puzzled about this topic and i nid ur suggestions on this...^^
So if it is safe, can u pls mention a couple of examples?^^(aside from CCleaner^^)
Thanks^^
-AnimeLover^^
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I am glad I found this subjest because I have not long ago just a few days ago got help from bleepingcomputers to make sure every thing was clean on my computer because in the last 4 to 6 month I have download 4 cleaners and they turn out to be rogue and I had to unstall and run malwarebytes and or superantispyware to clean my computer. also after that acorse I ran the avast scanner. I told the person that was helping me. I had been using ccCleaner and that I had registry cleaner and new they were not rogue. witch one would she would recamend and she said I should unstall both that any cleaner can cause more trouble then it is worth. I have mixed felling about this now. I hope to check back soon and see what every one think of that. I did like she ask and unstalled them an now I am using none.
thanks Sharon
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On a similar note, has anyone experienced a problem using the registry cleaning portion of Revo Uninstaller? Personally, I have not, but have only used it less than six months.
-= I will never dare to use Revo again.. After bricking by system simply because of uninstalling Bonjour..?!
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On a similar note, has anyone experienced a problem using the registry cleaning portion of Revo Uninstaller? Personally, I have not, but have only used it less than six months.
Yes, I have. Very quickly learned it was because I checked all the items in bold in the registry section.
What is needed when examining the registry part of the cleaner is to expand all the items, right down, and only ticking the bold items in the expanded entry. I had deleted the whole branch. In that case, I only had to reinstall a program to put things right, but without a little care, you could easily prevent the computer from starting.
I would not be surprised to find that is what happened with Fenrir.
Have not had any problems since that learning experience. It works well.
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On a similar note, has anyone experienced a problem using the registry cleaning portion of Revo Uninstaller? Personally, I have not, but have only used it less than six months.
Yes, I have. Very quickly learned it was because I checked all the items in bold in the registry section.
What is needed when examining the registry part of the cleaner is to expand all the items, right down, and only ticking the bold items in the expanded entry. I had deleted the whole branch. In that case, I only had to reinstall a program to put things right, but without a little care, you could easily prevent the computer from starting.
I would not be surprised to find that is what happened with Fenrir.
Have not had any problems since that learning experience. It works well.
-= And its my fault to put too much trust on it believing it will handle everything correctly.. There, I learned to judge a software by user reviews & personal experience over popularity..
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It will handle everything correctly, normally.
Was I right about not expanding the tree?
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this is a copy paste of what the wrote me in one of her post. I thought it would fit right in this part of the conversation.
Sharon :)
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It will handle everything correctly, normally.
Was I right about not expanding the tree?
-= I opened the tree pane but, I couldn't understand a single thing so, regrettably, I hit the fix button.. I learned my lesson since then.. By the way, since then, I still cant completely uninstall Bonjour service.. Any ideas how..?
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I don't know if it would work here but any time I was unstalling netzero I had to do it in safe mode I. let me know if that is worth a try or not. I am not good at doing any work on the computer all I know is for netzero and a couple of other things I had to do it in safe mode.
Sharon
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On a similar note, has anyone experienced a problem using the registry cleaning portion of Revo Uninstaller? Personally, I have not, but have only used it less than six months.
Yes, I have. Very quickly learned it was because I checked all the items in bold in the registry section.
What is needed when examining the registry part of the cleaner is to expand all the items, right down, and only ticking the bold items in the expanded entry. I had deleted the whole branch. In that case, I only had to reinstall a program to put things right, but without a little care, you could easily prevent the computer from starting.
I would not be surprised to find that is what happened with Fenrir.
Have not had any problems since that learning experience. It works well.
Thanks for the tip! When I first installed Revo I was expanding each bolded tree, but found each sub-key was also bolded, and I didn't bother anymore. I will pay more attention from now on. This is a perfect example of why having a backup plan in place is so important. Actually, I have two in this regard. Erunt runs a daily registry backup, and I create monthly disk images with Acronis. I wouldn't lose much, even in the worst case scenario. ;D
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-=By the way, since then, I still cant completely uninstall Bonjour service.. Any ideas how..?
Re-install the same version of Bonjour on top of the old installation. Reboot, and try uninstalling again.
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Bonjour isn't a required program and considered by some as ad/spyware.
-- How To Uninstall or Remove Bonjour mDNSResponder.exe - This is considered a non-essential, not critical component as related to ITunes. - See http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/mdnsresponder (http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/mdnsresponder).
How To Uninstall or Remove Bonjour mDNSResponder.exe (http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/02/10/how-to-uninstall-or-remove-bonjour-mdnsresponderexe/)
Also see www.serophos.net/au-revoir-bonjour (http://www.serophos.net/au-revoir-bonjour) for a tool to automate this process so you don't have to manually remove as in the above link.
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Also see www.serophos.net/au-revoir-bonjour for a tool to automate this process so you don't have to manually remove as in the above link.
-= :o Looks like Serophos guy is bidding a farewell.. He seems to be fed up with freedloaders.. ;D
-= By the way, thanks for the links, I'll now download iTunes without a doubt & fear.. ;)
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Also see www.serophos.net/au-revoir-bonjour for a tool to automate this process so you don't have to manually remove as in the above link.
-= :o Looks like Serophos guy is bidding a farewell.. He seems to be fed up with freedloaders.. ;D
-= By the way, thanks for the links, I'll now download iTunes without a doubt & fear.. ;)
That is a shame he has called it a day.
Your welcome.
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a few post of on the one I said was going to be a copy paste about the registery cleaner I for got to paste it so here it is now Sharon
Hi sharon this looks very good and clean.
Avast is a good antivirus. Keep it updated at least weekly and scan at least weekly. Do the same with Malwarebytes and SUPERAntispyware.
I do not like registry Cleaners so I will ask that you dump registry genius.
You maay have leftover entries in your registry from Norton. So i want you to run this tool. It will remove all traces of the unused AV. Download and run the Norton Removal Tool
DO NOT worry about the Product key as you are not re installing.
CCleaner
Registry Cleaners and Malware Removal
While CCleaner is safe and useful for removing temporary and junk files, we do not recommend using the built-in registry cleaner unless you have a good understanding of the registry. In fact, we don't recommend using registry cleaners in general.[/quote]
Registry cleaners are extremely powerful applications. There are a number of them available and some are more safe than others. Keep in mind that no two registry cleaners work entirely the way. Each vendor uses different criteria as to what constitutes a "bad" entry. One cleaner may find entries on your system that will not cause a problem when removed, another may not find the same entries, and still another may want to remove entries required for a program to work.
The Windows registry is a central repository (database) for storing configuration data, user settings and machine-dependent settings, and options for the operating system. It contains information and settings for all hardware, software, users, and preferences. Whenever a user makes changes to settings, file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in this repository. The registry is a crucial component because it is where Windows "remembers" all this information, how it works together, how Windows boots the system and what files it uses when it does. The registry is also a vulnerable subsystem, in that relatively small changes done incorrectly can render the system unbootable.
The usefulness of cleaning the registry is highly overrated and can be dangerous. In most cases, using a cleaner to remove obsolete, invalid, and erroneous entries does not affect system performance but it can result in "unpredictable results". Unless you have a particular problem that requires a registry edit to correct it, I would suggest you leave the registry alone. Using registry cleaning tools unnecessarily or incorrectly could lead to disastrous effects on your operating system such as preventing it from ever starting again. For routine use, the benefits to your computer are negligible while the potential risks are great.
Further, improperly removing malware related registry entries could hamper the disinfection process. Full system scanning anti-spyware programs like SUPERAntispyware and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware will remove the registry entries as well as the related files which results in a more complete removal process. However, there also are specific fix tools created by experts which are used for removing malware and related registry entries. These types of tools are safe when used under proper supervision and guidance.
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The key words are right at the end of this reply:
These types of tools are safe when used under proper supervision and guidance.
Either you fall into that catagory in which case using these tools should be safe.
If your not in that catagory, either turn the task over to some one who is or, leave well enough alone.
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the copy past I did was to me from bleepingcomputer after I downloaded reg tool thinking it was going to help me fix media player and of course it did not. I ask if she could tell me witch would be better to keep and she said none
Sharon
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Does anyone have any thoughts on Advance System Care. I recently purchased it but after reading this post am now wary of its registry fix.
Appreciate your help.
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I have not herd of the one you bought but I am not very good doing computer work. a few post up you may have red what I copy pasted that bleepingcomputer.com wrote me saying not to use them at all that they can cause more harm then good, but some people I know use them and they work the way they are suppose to. it maybe one of those deals if you are good at doing the computer then you can use them for your benifit. if not they can work against you. Please take what I say like a grain of salt because I am trying hard to understand and learn about what we are talking about. what is best for the computer, but I make a lot of mistakes
:)Sharon ;D
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Does anyone have any thoughts on Advance System Care. I recently purchased it but after reading this post am now wary of its registry fix.
Appreciate your help.
-= I have no intentions of bashing Advanced System Care but, from what I experienced, it modified some of my registry entries in a not-so-right way.. Like setting WaitToKillApp & WaitToKillService value to 5000; meaning, 5 seconds to let a program or service shutdown & if it exceeds 5 seconds, process is forcefully terminated, so, as a result, unsaved data & some errors.. This may seem unreasonable for high-end computers, but, as of now, majority of PC's do not have that fast capability to complete a task in a short period of time [and I do belong to those slow PC owners]..
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Sharon/Fenrir
Thanks for your thoughts :)
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DavidR
just look at the ccleaner settings
Hi DavidR do you know what settings are safe in the ccleaner registry section in which box to check and what not to check cos I was thinking of cleaning my registry but I decide not to, because I have alot of unstalled programs like power dvd that it didn't remove all the files from the registry.
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I think that registry cleaners are very powerful so as to delete files that are denied alos isn't it?And deleting important files may cause to very big problems!
-= File shredder..?
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DavidR
just look at the ccleaner settings
Hi DavidR do you know what settings are safe in the ccleaner registry section in which box to check and what not to check cos I was thinking of cleaning my registry but I decide not to, because I have alot of unstalled programs like power dvd that it didn't remove all the files from the registry.
I don't use ccleaner to clean the registry so I can't advise what settings would be considered safe. Safe is not a term I use too frequently, especially when playing with the registry, before doing anything in the registry you should back it up or have a good recovery strategy just in case.