When should you run a registry cleaner?

[TairikuOkami]

CCleaner's reg cleaner is pretty weak, therefore safe, I would not even classify it as reg cleaner.
But indeed, using good uninstallers is a great way to keep OS clean without using reg cleaners.

 

[CountMike]

CCleaner's reg cleaner is pretty weak, therefore safe, I would not even classify it as reg cleaner.

But seems to be most popular (undeservedly, looks like ). Other functions seem to be somewhat useful if used carefully and not going strictly by it's defaults. Of course, all of that could be accomplished other ways, mostly by using windows built in stuff. MS is missing a lot by not making such an centralized cleaning utility built into OS.

 

[Cliff S]

When I uninstalled windows office(cost to much and I use LibreOffice) after I bought my desktop, under Cleaner, Office kept showing up I used the reg cleaner and it didn't find anything. I had to use regedit and the find tool and manually delete it any how. When I update LibreOffice and run the reg cleaner it finds tons of stuff(mostly INI pointers and old settings).

 

[bassfacer22]

ok so after reading 3 pages of registry cleaners are ok/not ok.. the question still remains... :

- how do you reset/rebuild - if possible, the registry without reinstalling windows..

I constantly uninstall and reinstall.. things like an old version of a program and then i reinstall a new version on top of it.. I think i would definitely like to "clean" out my registry because i always try out many many programs..

 

[CountMike]

Prevention is the buzzword, use Revo Uninstaller to uninstall programs. Even bett, you ca install thru it (handy right click menu) and all the changes made by that program will be reverted once you uninstall it thru Revo.

 

[popeye]

The only way you "reset/rebuild" the registry is if you export a copy before installing a program(s) then import it after uninstalling that program(s)

Other than that there is Repair install.

 

[jpolacko]

I agree with Popeye there is really no way other than the way he said it without a reset or reinstall of windows.

 

[David Bailey]

 

[jds63]

I love Revo Uninstaller one of the best, but using it many times it still leaves leftovers, so i can imagine what's in registry still, not to say i am going to go look for it. I do find folders and files in ProgramFiles(x86), Users, etc... from uninstalled programs using Revo.

Truthfully what i am saying is there is no uninstaller that gets it all, no matter how good they say it is. One option in Revo is to install it with Revo, find that in the context menu, that way may be more possible it will be able to find everything when uninstalled, as i believe it monitors it better.

But will removing majority or some of those registry entries really matter, probably not, some maybe. Unless like some were saying causing an error and you know what you are doing when removing one or two. I try to also rely on a system restore point, also as said, can export a registry backup first before doing anything. True CCleaner is pretty safe and even find some of those leftovers registry entries from uninstalled programs and has a export feature.

As for Registry cleaners as most of you said, if not familiar with working with the registry, do not fool with it then, if it ain't broken don't try to fix it.

 

[Cliff S]

ok so after reading 3 pages of registry cleaners are ok/not ok.. the question still remains... :

- how do you reset/rebuild - if possible, the registry without reinstalling windows..

I constantly uninstall and reinstall.. things like an old version of a program and then i reinstall a new version on top of it.. I think i would definitely like to "clean" out my registry because i always try out many many programs..

View attachment 55815

See post #13 this tool will back up and restore a registry, then you can use the Windows Repair (all in one) to reset all registry permissions. I've been using this for years and has saved me from having to do a system reimage(I always keep a virgin one from a fresh install w/updates on an external HDD in the closet).

 

[CountMike]

Few interestnig Registry tools:
Download RegFromApp - MajorGeeks
Download What Changed - MajorGeeks
Too bad MS didn't keep up with and abandoned their own "RegClean used to work nicely in XP.

 

[jds63]

Few interestnig Registry tools:
Download RegFromApp - MajorGeeks
Download What Changed - MajorGeeks
Too bad MS didn't keep up with and abandoned their own "RegClean used to work nicely in XP.

Nice little tools there, come to this site many times MajorGeeks
Well they got a geek-o-licious rating although many do on this site if listed.

 

[popeye]

Few interestnig Registry tools:
Download RegFromApp - MajorGeeks
Download What Changed - MajorGeeks
Too bad MS didn't keep up with and abandoned their own "RegClean used to work nicely in XP.

Nice tools you have there.
I totally forgot about the XP registry cleaner!

 

[azasadny]

I only recommend CCleaner and I use it about once a month.

 

[David Bailey]

I use it after uninstalling something.

 

[tereongully]

Few interestnig Registry tools:
Download RegFromApp - MajorGeeks
Download What Changed - MajorGeeks

those "what changed" reg programs are great, people try to use them for un-expiring/reset trail based software. haha