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General discussion

Is CCleaner good enough for Registry Cleaning?

Jan 27, 2012 6:07PM PST

I was told by a commercial software publisher that CCleaner was primarily designed for disk cleaning operations and not for registry cleaning, and therefore, I need a registry cleaning utility dedicated to that purpose.

I am looking forward to varying opinions from those who have used CCleaner for registry cleaning long enough and if they agree with aforesaid comment?

SourceForge has one free utility Little Registry Cleaner which shows 1995 weekly downloads. Any comments on its reliability as an effective registry cleaner?

Discussion is locked

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Why?
Jan 27, 2012 6:33PM PST

Why do you need a registry cleaner?

I use CCleaner regularly, but I would be cautious using its registry cleaner. It is less of a problem than most, but I see no need to mess with the registry.

You may be interested in the different views in this discusiion;
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6138_102-553726.html

Mark

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Re: Why
Jan 28, 2012 5:28PM PST

When we uninstall a software some unnecessary registry entries are left over - isn't it correct?

There are couple of more reasons, I understand - is this totally a misplaced belief?

Now, I am going to read your recommended thread http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6138_102-553726.html may be I shall find some answers.

Thanks

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PS: your recommended thread
Jan 28, 2012 5:50PM PST
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The Windows registry
Jan 29, 2012 3:36AM PST

You're going to have to make your own mind up with this because wherever you ask this question, either here in these forums or elsewhere, you are going to get polarised views and advice.

Here's my polarised view and advice;

The Windows Registry is just a database and it is not particularly large at that. It just has text or numeric entries. Databases are useful for holding data, (information), as and when that data is required. If a database entry is never used, it just sits there doing nothing. It doesn't clog up the database, It doesn't slow down access to any other part of the database. It just sits there doing nothing.

That's all the Windows registry is. Any unused entries in it are ignored. It makes no difference to the performance of the OS. It doesn't need defragging and it doesn't need cleaning. Unnecessary entries do not need to be removed.

While there may have been a case for doing that in Windows 95/98, (I never had trouble), the registry in later Windows versions has become much more stable ad much better able to look after itself.

I see no reason to touch the registry.

Mark

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Thanks for your clear cut answer
Feb 7, 2012 5:45AM PST

You have made the position very clear to me.

I was taken in by Registry Cleaning Utilities making big claims about how important it is to keep registry clean as unwanted entries clog up the system and make it under-perform, so much so that it can make your PC crawl, and so on...

It seems people want business at any cost even to the extent of clothing lies as truth.

Thanks again for making an upright and honest reply and making me see through it.

You have answered all my concerns and put me at rest.

Thanks again, Sir!

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I use it for many years
Mar 6, 2012 7:49PM PST

NEVER made even one simple problem, and cleanup pretty well.

One of the most useful softwares out there, I also use it a lot when my xp crush.

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You'd be wise...
Mar 6, 2012 7:58PM PST

to read what Mark said (1/29/12 11:36 AM).

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Thank you yet...
Mar 6, 2012 11:13PM PST

From expirience, when ever i use the Ccleaner tool my PC goes much faster.

it was interesting to know about the reg clean up indeed, thank you! Happy