Register cleaners - Do they work?

[Clyde2]

Hi;

I just wanted to pose a quick question here about registry cleaners.

I have been told that they do not work.Or rather, that they can only identify problems but not fix them.  And if you were to try and fix the problems, your computer might stop working.

So my questions are, can you depend on registry cleaners?  Can a fix be implemented without harming your computer?  How would a person go about doing a fix?  Is it hard?

Also, can anyone give a me a comparison between PC Tools' Registry Mechanic (which I have) and another I've heard of, RegCure.  I've heard RegCure might be better.

Thanks and I await any replies.

[Broni]

Registry cleaners/optimizers are not recommended for several reasons:

• Registry cleaners are extremely powerful applications that can damage the registry by using aggressive cleaning routines and cause your computer to become unbootable.
  
  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 inoperable. For a more detailed explanation, read Understanding The Registry.
  
  
• Not all registry cleaners are created equal. There are a number of them available but they do not all work entirely the same 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 problems when removed, another may not find the same entries, and still another may want to remove entries required for a program to work.
  
  
• Not all registry cleaners create a backup of the registry before making changes.  If the changes prevent the system from booting up, then there is no backup available to restore it in order to regain functionality. A backup of the registry is essential BEFORE making any changes to the registry.
  
  
• Improperly removing registry entries can hamper malware disinfection and make the removal process more difficult if your computer becomes infected. For example, removing malware related registry entries before the infection is properly identified can contribute to system instability and even make the malware undetectable to removal tools.
  
  
• 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.

• Ed Bott's Webog: Why I don't use registry cleaners
  
• Do I need a Registry Cleaner?
  

[BC_Programmer]

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,77609.0.html

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,99430.0.html

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,104141.0.html

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,107595.0.html

[Clyde2]

Thanks for the replies.  You have made a good case for NOT using registry cleaners.

I do however have a few questions.  It seems that Fred Langa likes the JV16 PowerTools registry cleaner if I read this correctly.  Sure, It does detect more 'errors' than the other cleaners.  But from what you all say-the more 'errors' detected and then fixed-wouldn't that mean the more damage you would produce?

Also, I didn't see RegCure in any comparisons so I looked for myself and found this:

http://www.registry-cleaner-reviews.net/regcure/.  It shows 875 entries the first scan;  177 entries the second scan; and 118 entries the third scan.  According to comparison to Do I need a Registry Cleaner?, the comments there suggest that multiple cleanings and multiple results are something to be suspect of a supposedly good registry cleaner.

My one remaining question here is: Is it OK to run the registry cleaners and see its results but not actually fix anything?

Also, so many people say let the experts do it unless you know what you're doing.   And yet nowhere does anyone tell you how to learn how to do it and learn what is connected, interconnected, and what is dysfunctional and can be deleted safely without any repercussions.

How would one learn about the registry and how it records data, how it creates links that become orphaned (and thus delete?), how it may have a non functional link now-but later that link can be reconnected to a future device you might hook up?

I am fortunately/unfortunately (depends on your point of view) the clean type Tony Randall to Jack Klugman's messy type in The Odd Couple.  I like NOT having useless or dead entries in my registry.  Even if it means no increase in computer speed or functionality.  But I won't do anything about them until I can know what I am doing.

So having said all that, I await some way of learning what to do in order to understand more fully about the intricacies of the registry.

Thanks again for all the insight.

[Allan]

1) DO NOT USE ANY REGISTRY CLEANERS. The best of them do absolutely nothing useful. The worst of them can render your system useless.

2) You seem to be looking for a reason to use a registry cleaner. If you choose to ignore the above advice then go ahead at your own risk. It is your system after all.

3) Is Langa still around?

[moro]

1) DO NOT USE ANY REGISTRY CLEANERS. The best of them do absolutely nothing useful. The worst of them can render your system useless.

100%   true
i use RegCure
it completely destroyed my computer. It could find no networks, Windows Explorer would hardly run,  all system restore dates were unavailable

[alexK]

Register Cleaner sure do their cleaning work and how!

They clean the PC allright up to say 75%. Then they ask you if you want to buy "this or that product".
If you decline and bail out, then this Cleaner it will NOT undo that cleaning, and your poor PC has been cleaned out and trashed.
Next thing is to reload the system.

Watch out for those "Mechanics" and "Techies" they always find 500,000 gazillions problems, and you will feel intimidated!

Have been there. 

[reddevilggg]

Register Cleaner sure do their cleaning work and how!

They clean the PC allright up to say 75%. Then they ask you if you want to buy "this or that product".
If you decline and bail out, then this Cleaner it will NOT undo that cleaning, and your poor PC has been cleaned out and trashed.
Next thing is to reload the system.

Watch out for those "Mechanics" and "Techies" they always find 500,000 gazillions problems, and you will feel intimidated!

Have been there. 

Thanks for making that clear and understandable!

[patio]

Do not use them....period.

[Clyde2]

OK you win.  I won't use one.  But I still didn't really learn about how a computer uses the registry.  Where does one go to learn what the registry does and how it does it?  In other words, say I just turn on my computer....get to the desktop....do a search....go to a website....do some research and learn something....and then sign off and turn the computer off.  I'm done.

What is happening in the registry during each of these steps?

Thanks again for all the insight.

[BC_Programmer]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986

[jason2074]

But I still didn't really learn about how a computer uses the registry

What is happening in the registry during each of these steps?

Reply#1 --> Everything is covered here by Broni and all the experts provided some link and suggestions about registry cleaners.

[alexK]

Clyde2,

If you really want to understand what the Registry does or contains, run "Regedit" and look under HKEYS and see what it contains. You will find mostly Run Parameters and Operating Parameters. If you alter these things with out knowing what you are doing, you may / will  get locked out, and have to reload the system, as restore may / will not help you. I have done this a couple of times, just to see what is happening.  A reload only takes a couple of hours.
For example: I have tried for weeks to connect XP with W2K two ways via TELNET, no luck. Also CLIENT / SERVER between XP and W2K via one single Program, an enormous effort. In both cases I had to modify the Registry. But I was prepared to reload both PCs.
Try modifying the Registry! Fun fun fun, it is the only way of learning what the Registry Trashing is all about!

Once again, those Systems Optimiser, Reg Mechanics and all those funky trashing products are designed to drum money out of their victims. After all, who cares if you got a bunch of loose orphans in the system. No system is perfect.   

[Allan]

Do not run regedit unless you have a specific need to (and unless you know exactly what you are doing). That's absolutely NOT how you learn about the registry. There are plenty of tutorials on the web - a Google search will give you all you need.

[Salmon Trout]

Try modifying the Registry! Fun fun fun, it is the only way of learning what the Registry Trashing is all about!

This is really stupid and irresponsible advice to be giving. It is the exact opposite of the truth. How old are you, alexK, about 12?