Registry Cleaning

by scirta Nov 23, 2003 10:35PM PST

Hey,
I don't have any serious problems, but since I know I have installed and uninstalled zillions of progs over time, can you please recommend a good registry cleaner for Win 98SE?

While I've had a comp (upgraded, new parts etc., of course) for the past 8 years, I've only recently started to delve into its innards, so it should be something that doesn't require me to be a registry expert. ;P

It's just that I see lots of negative reviews out there and reports of system crashes after using a registry cleaner, and I'm not really keen on going through the madness.

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Re:Registry Cleaning. Then backup?

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 23, 2003 10:44PM PST

If you consider you can copy the registry files to a safe place, then that can help.

If nothing is amiss, then WHY DO THIS?

I will share I use the last free version of JV16's PowerTools from http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/ to MANUALLY pick over the registry and delete some old software entries. Beyond that, I let it be.

Bob

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Re:Registry Cleaning

by Bob__B Nov 23, 2003 11:02PM PST

You might want to take a look at this one.

Easycleaner 2.0
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download414.html

Easy to use and so far its been benign (more than I can say for some other cleaners I've tried)

Anyway the price is right--FREE

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Re:Registry Cleaning

by Cursorcowboy Nov 23, 2003 11:05PM PST

Also be advised, the article [Q183887] explains that when a computer is started successfully, the Windows Registry Checker tool (Scanreg.exe) creates a backup of system files and registry configuration information (including user account information, protocol bindings, software program settings, and user preferences) once daily. Files backed up include, System.dat, User.dat, System.ini, and Win.ini. To use the Windows Registry Checker tool with the /restore parameter, the tool must be run from a command prompt (booted to) outside of Windows, where one of up to five registry backup files may be chosen from the list to restore.

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Re:Registry Cleaning

by Kees Bakker Nov 24, 2003 7:04AM PST

I didn't experience any problems with Microsofts own (but a little bit unofficial) registry cleaner for Windows 95 and up. Be aware of the possibilities of scanreg /restore, and also note that the program builds an undo file to add again what it removed.

You can't download it from Microsoft, but here's a trusted place:
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3000-2094-10007196.html

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Re:Re:Registry Cleaning

by trek1956 Nov 24, 2003 10:45PM PST

I use McAfee Utilities Registry Wizard. There is a REPAIR registry entries that pulls up orphan entries. It's several years old but does a decent job of selecting entries.

Most are obvious, refering to files in directories that no longer exist. Once it collects all the orphans there is a "repair all" option but it sucks. Never figured out how it works.

The only problem I have is when I see five or six consecutive registry entries that are all IDENTICAL when you open them for editing.

Can I delete the duplicate entries?

It works decently enough though. I had over 1200 orphans (don't ask) but managed to cut that down to just under 300. No problems so far but I've only deleted the obvious bad entries.

Registry Cleaning

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