Author Topic: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?  (Read 23383 times)

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cinchez

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Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« on: June 04, 2009, 05:35:59 PM »
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^^

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Offline DavidR

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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2009, 06:22:32 PM »
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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Offline scythe944

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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2009, 07:07:07 PM »
In other words, they can do more harm than good.
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Offline Lisandro

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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2009, 08:05:32 PM »
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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Offline DavidR

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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2009, 08:20:41 PM »
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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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2009, 08:39:35 PM »
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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Offline Lisandro

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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #6 on: June 04, 2009, 08:52:43 PM »
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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CharleyO

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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #7 on: June 04, 2009, 11:51:17 PM »
***

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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« Last Edit: June 04, 2009, 11:56:21 PM by CharleyO »

Offline polonus

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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2009, 12:16:47 AM »
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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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2009, 04:32:55 AM »
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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cinchez

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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2009, 06:21:31 AM »
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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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2009, 06:51:17 AM »
-= 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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Offline Tarq57

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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #12 on: June 05, 2009, 07:34:11 AM »
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 stable. No problems. Usually only saves about 2-4%. (Erunt is a very good auto-backup reg tool.)
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Avastfan1

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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #13 on: June 05, 2009, 10:42:36 AM »
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
« Last Edit: June 05, 2009, 01:15:45 PM by igor »

cinchez

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Re: Is the Use of Registry cleaners safe?
« Reply #14 on: June 05, 2009, 03:20:51 PM »
@ALL
Thanks for the lightning-like speed replies^^

I really appreciate it...^^

I'll follow the majority decision^^hahahah^^Thanks again^^

-AnimeLover^^