Should I use a registry cleaner? If so, which is best?

peteagreatguy

New Member
Messages
3
Hi all,

I'm using Windows 8.1 Pro x64.

Question is in the title. What is your advice?

I do use CCleaner but unsure if I should use the registry cleaner or if there is a better registry cleaner.

Thanks in advanced.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
Welcome to the forum. The reg is basically just a text file so cleaning doesn't help much but get it wrong and delete the wrong thing can kill the PC uncleaner is free and better than cckeaner
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8 pro
The registry does not need cleaning. I would not use any cleaners.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Media Center, Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 7 x64 Ultimate SP1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom System
    CPU
    INTEL Xeon E5-2670 LGA 2011
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA X79 UD5 v1.0 F13s
    Memory
    64GB (8 X 8 GB) G-Skill Ripjaws Z DDR3 2133 Quad Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 1060 SC 3 GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek Onboard ALC898
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung S27E310
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 PRO 256 GB SSD
    1 x 6TB WD 6003FZBX SATA
    13 x 3TB WD 30EFRX SATA
    PSU
    Seasonic X-1050
    Case
    Thermaltake Armor+
    Cooling
    INTEL BXRTS2011LC Liquid-cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510s
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7.0 Mb/s
    Browser
    IE 11, Chrome
    Antivirus
    ESET NOD32 11.1, Malwarebytes Pro 3.5.1
    Other Info
    ASUS RT-AC68U router
I've been, since WFW 311, using Auslogics Registry Cleaner and Wise Registry Cleaner -- very carefully, very selectively, for specific purposes. I do not use the other functions that are included.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit [MS blue-disk set]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Acers & 1 Antec[?]
    CPU
    i7 in 2 Acers, i5 in desktop
    Motherboard
    Desktop w/Gigabyte
    Memory
    Two w/16GB, 1 w/8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Laptops GameWorthy; Desktop maybe GameWorthy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flatscreens; 2 are BluRay worthy
    Screen Resolution
    1368x768; 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB internals; 2 ext usb WD 1TB HDs
    PSU
    what's PSU?
    Cooling
    Regular plus external fans
    Keyboard
    desktio w/PS2
    Mouse
    desktop w/PS2
    Internet Speed
    DSL middle level [160?]
    Browser
    from Netscape 0.9 to FF 36
    Antivirus
    well-balanced, well-configured mult-layered defense is best
    Other Info
    From MS-DOS 3.3, MS-DOS 6.22, from Windows 3.1 to WFW 3.11 to Windows 95-98SE, now to Windows 7 Pro.
    Security for now: Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine
Registry cleaners are, at best, a waste of time, and at worst, an easy way to corrupt your PC and render it unusable.

The Registry is actually a COLLECTION of files, known as "hives" and together, in the Registry Editor, they are viewed as a single data repository.

The Registry functions as a data base, so items are not accessed until they are needed.

When hard drives were slow and small, Registry cleaning had its benefits; but today, it is largely a waste of time.

IMHO, the risks of trashing your PC far outweigh the measly benefits of removing a few entries.
 

My Computer

"...IMHO, the risks of trashing your PC far outweigh the measly benefits of removing a few entries..." Mark Phelps
Agreed! I don't waste time and energy doing a "shotgun-run" [that would definitely invite more problems than benefits!]. Again, only for specific purposes, assessing risk -- potential problems vs potential benefit, almost always ended up with the benefits.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit [MS blue-disk set]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Acers & 1 Antec[?]
    CPU
    i7 in 2 Acers, i5 in desktop
    Motherboard
    Desktop w/Gigabyte
    Memory
    Two w/16GB, 1 w/8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Laptops GameWorthy; Desktop maybe GameWorthy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flatscreens; 2 are BluRay worthy
    Screen Resolution
    1368x768; 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB internals; 2 ext usb WD 1TB HDs
    PSU
    what's PSU?
    Cooling
    Regular plus external fans
    Keyboard
    desktio w/PS2
    Mouse
    desktop w/PS2
    Internet Speed
    DSL middle level [160?]
    Browser
    from Netscape 0.9 to FF 36
    Antivirus
    well-balanced, well-configured mult-layered defense is best
    Other Info
    From MS-DOS 3.3, MS-DOS 6.22, from Windows 3.1 to WFW 3.11 to Windows 95-98SE, now to Windows 7 Pro.
    Security for now: Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine
Thanks for all your replies.

I've decided to use CCleaner registry cleaner but I make sure to check the entire list. If there is an item I do not recognise or understand, I leave it be.

I also decided to use the Auslogics Registry Defrag for defragging the registry.

ps: Apologies on the lateness in reply.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
Auslogics and Piriform both make very good disk defraggers :) I use mine maybe twice monthly, mostly right before backup time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit [MS blue-disk set]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Acers & 1 Antec[?]
    CPU
    i7 in 2 Acers, i5 in desktop
    Motherboard
    Desktop w/Gigabyte
    Memory
    Two w/16GB, 1 w/8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Laptops GameWorthy; Desktop maybe GameWorthy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flatscreens; 2 are BluRay worthy
    Screen Resolution
    1368x768; 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB internals; 2 ext usb WD 1TB HDs
    PSU
    what's PSU?
    Cooling
    Regular plus external fans
    Keyboard
    desktio w/PS2
    Mouse
    desktop w/PS2
    Internet Speed
    DSL middle level [160?]
    Browser
    from Netscape 0.9 to FF 36
    Antivirus
    well-balanced, well-configured mult-layered defense is best
    Other Info
    From MS-DOS 3.3, MS-DOS 6.22, from Windows 3.1 to WFW 3.11 to Windows 95-98SE, now to Windows 7 Pro.
    Security for now: Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine
Best is CCleaner. I have used it since Windows Vista and it has worked great and never rendered my PC inoperable. If you still want to be careful CCleaner offers to make a registery backup before you delete anything. Basicly when you scan and click delete it says do you want a backup. I say no but you can say yes if you want.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64 + macOS 10.15 Catalina
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 2700
    Motherboard
    ASUS PRIME B450-PLUS
    Memory
    32gb Corsair Vengance LPX 4x 8gb 3000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Reference Radeon RX 5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic XG2705-2K 27in 1440p 144hz + Samsung C24F390 24in 1080p 60hz
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Transcend 500gb NVME
    Seagate 2tb drive
    2x Western Digital 1tb drives
    Crucial 250gb SATA SSD
    PSU
    Cooler Master 600w
    Case
    Corsair iCUE 4000x
    Cooling
    AMD Stock Cooler + 6x Corsair SP120 RGB Pro
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow X Chroma
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum
    Internet Speed
    Zen Internet 70mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
Auslogics and Piriform both make very good disk defraggers :) I use mine maybe twice monthly, mostly right before backup time.
I just now re-read this thread and noticed thread starter awhile back was adding Auslogics Registry [not disk] defragger to the collection. I've never test-used a registry defragger since Windows 3.1 and 3.11. I quoted myself to point out my error :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit [MS blue-disk set]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Acers & 1 Antec[?]
    CPU
    i7 in 2 Acers, i5 in desktop
    Motherboard
    Desktop w/Gigabyte
    Memory
    Two w/16GB, 1 w/8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Laptops GameWorthy; Desktop maybe GameWorthy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flatscreens; 2 are BluRay worthy
    Screen Resolution
    1368x768; 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB internals; 2 ext usb WD 1TB HDs
    PSU
    what's PSU?
    Cooling
    Regular plus external fans
    Keyboard
    desktio w/PS2
    Mouse
    desktop w/PS2
    Internet Speed
    DSL middle level [160?]
    Browser
    from Netscape 0.9 to FF 36
    Antivirus
    well-balanced, well-configured mult-layered defense is best
    Other Info
    From MS-DOS 3.3, MS-DOS 6.22, from Windows 3.1 to WFW 3.11 to Windows 95-98SE, now to Windows 7 Pro.
    Security for now: Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine
Hello, I use BDTP for AV can I use their optimizer, witch includes a registry cleaner to do maintenance on my Windows 8.1.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    acer apire v5 E5-521-46P1
    Memory
    6 gb ram
    Sound Card
    Bongiovi DPS FULL
    Screen Resolution
    hd
    Hard Drives
    500 gb internal +500+1000gb External
    Internet Speed
    300/50mb
    Browser
    pale moon and google chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender 2018
    Other Info
    Security:Malwarebytes 3.1.2+Zemana Premium+Hitman Pro+Superantisyware Professional+Lastpass
    VPN:SurfEasy Ultra VPN+EkspressVPN+Private Internet Access
Registry cleaners are at best ineffective and at worst a system killer.

There is absolutely no need for a registry cleaner of any type. If there is a real problem with the registry it needs a careful surgical approach using RegEdit, not the scattergun approach of these snake oil applications which cause more issues than they save
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64 x2 Windows 10 Enterprise x64, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computing
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz + 1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal
    Crucial 256GB SSD,
    WDC WD30EZRX-00D8PB0 3TB,
    Toshiba HDWD130 3TB
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)

    NAS
    Seagate ST4000DM000
    PSU
    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
    Case
    AeroCool X-Warrior Devil Red Tower
    Cooling
    Stock CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K710 & K270
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless M710 M185 & M570 Trackball
    Internet Speed
    37Mb/s Down - 9.5Mb/s Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security 2017
    Other Info
    Also run...

    Desktop - 6Core 8GB - Windows 10 Enterprise x64,
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Netbook - Ubuntu
    2 x Nexus 7 Android tablets
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    HTC One Android Smartphone
Registry cleaners are at best ineffective and at worst a system killer.

There is absolutely no need for a registry cleaner of any type. If there is a real problem with the registry it needs a careful surgical approach using RegEdit, not the scattergun approach of these snake oil applications which cause more issues than they save

Barman58 does make a good point. If you install alot of stuff I would reccomend a registry cleaner because the installers leave unneeded files in the registry and they delete them but I could only reccomend C-Cleaner from Piriform. The cache cleaner on C-Cleaner is also very good.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64 + macOS 10.15 Catalina
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 2700
    Motherboard
    ASUS PRIME B450-PLUS
    Memory
    32gb Corsair Vengance LPX 4x 8gb 3000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Reference Radeon RX 5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic XG2705-2K 27in 1440p 144hz + Samsung C24F390 24in 1080p 60hz
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Transcend 500gb NVME
    Seagate 2tb drive
    2x Western Digital 1tb drives
    Crucial 250gb SATA SSD
    PSU
    Cooler Master 600w
    Case
    Corsair iCUE 4000x
    Cooling
    AMD Stock Cooler + 6x Corsair SP120 RGB Pro
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow X Chroma
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum
    Internet Speed
    Zen Internet 70mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
I actually install a lot of software, more than most due to my profession. I now user Revo Uninstaller Pro (Paid) for installs so can always totally remove all traces of an install,

I did run one test system for several years without a fresh install of either the OS or applications, just multiple upgrades/updates and in all this time I never had a major issue due to a registry fault, however, during this period I did receive "more than one" call to re-install systems who's owners had used registry cleaners or defraggers.

I use Piriform's CCleaner myself for file fragment management but never mess with the registry except with Regedit and then rarely
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64 x2 Windows 10 Enterprise x64, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computing
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz + 1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal
    Crucial 256GB SSD,
    WDC WD30EZRX-00D8PB0 3TB,
    Toshiba HDWD130 3TB
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)

    NAS
    Seagate ST4000DM000
    PSU
    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
    Case
    AeroCool X-Warrior Devil Red Tower
    Cooling
    Stock CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K710 & K270
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless M710 M185 & M570 Trackball
    Internet Speed
    37Mb/s Down - 9.5Mb/s Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security 2017
    Other Info
    Also run...

    Desktop - 6Core 8GB - Windows 10 Enterprise x64,
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Netbook - Ubuntu
    2 x Nexus 7 Android tablets
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    HTC One Android Smartphone
I use Wise Care 365 Pro, and I do not have any problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    acer apire v5 E5-521-46P1
    Memory
    6 gb ram
    Sound Card
    Bongiovi DPS FULL
    Screen Resolution
    hd
    Hard Drives
    500 gb internal +500+1000gb External
    Internet Speed
    300/50mb
    Browser
    pale moon and google chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender 2018
    Other Info
    Security:Malwarebytes 3.1.2+Zemana Premium+Hitman Pro+Superantisyware Professional+Lastpass
    VPN:SurfEasy Ultra VPN+EkspressVPN+Private Internet Access
Have been using CCleaner for a very long time and did not have any issues at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD APU A10-5600K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte F2A75MD3H
    Memory
    8gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon HD 7560D
    Sound Card
    on board
    Hard Drives
    (2)Seagate 1TB drives SATA3
    (1) Westen Digital 500gb SATA 3
    Browser
    Chrome, Comodo Dragon
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security 11
Back
Top