best free registry cleaner

[andicap]

I see dozens of 'em available as freeware. What's the best one?

[Zaf]

I have never cleaned my registry before. Is this necessary ? Is there a risk of cleaning something important by accident ?

Z

[Ponyplayr]

I see dozens of 'em available as freeware. What's the best one?
Quite a few of them are not free at all. You run the tool and it finds HUNDREDS of issues then say if you want the issues resolved Pay Up!!

System Mechanic Six has a thirty day free trial period and will do a great job of fixing things, and cleans and compacts the registry. After 30..Dump it if you want.

[DJofSD]

Here's one tool with a limited scope. (http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/RegDelNull.html)

[headhawg]

For free, you could just use the Issues option in Crap Cleaner (www.ccleaner.com). I use it along with Ashampoo's Platinum Uninstaller so my registry is not bloaty at all.

I have heard a lot of good things about RegVac but it is not a free program.

[shanta]

Andi
not sure if this is "registry" cleaner but it is AWESOME man. Been using it for 2 years and when I run adaware/spybot they rarely find ANY spyware.

It's free

http://www.stevengould.org/software/cleanup/

Richie :)

[mikejlb]

This link has some interesting util's and might have what you are looking for. Trial Doctor might be a usefull program when testing certain shareware that needs more test time.

http://www.hiren.info/downloads/tools.html

[michiken]

The MS registry is a database that stores EVERYTHING about you and your computer. It is a good practice to know what's in there. Try this:

1. Start/Run and type in regedit. Start expanding the folders and you will see registry settings for every piece of software that you have ever used - even if it is uninstalled. It may also store cookies, private data such as your name and credit card numbers, etc.

2. From the top menu, do a search and type in your name. See how many results you find. Do the same thing for other personal data you might want to investigate. Programs like Norton cram the registry with thousands of entries which make it hog system resources and slow your computer.

Once you see what is in hidden in the database, you will see that a registry cleaner can be useful in protecting your privacy.

3. Go to download.com and get AdAware, AVG, ZoneAlarm and Spybot Search and destroy as additional tools.

[andicap]

thanks, some good tools in those freeware sights. I've got spyware tools out the wazoo,no problem.

thanks all for the help.

[Ponyplayr]

MS has a nice free scan..I ran it last nite and it found 1 virus in my computer.

It also cleans the registry etc.

http://safety.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm?s_cid=sah

[Tom]

andicap...

www.securitytango.com (http://www.securitytango.com)

Click on Let's Dance.

And I also recomend crapcleaner....super program.

Everything is free, and you need follow the steps in order ( or it isn't a tango).
Be wary of free reg cleaners....I got one it took two years to clean out the machine.

[Bala]

http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=171203805

and

http://snipurl.com/w7tj


_________________
Outsource congress.

[Red Knave]

Andy

You've probably seen this site but just in case ...
I check back every few months for changes.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm

[traveler]

Crap Cleaner can't be beat for the price - use it at work.

[CapperLou]

This will sound silly to you gurus, but how do I save certain cookies such as this one to PA when using ccleaner and checking off cookies(which I don't have checked now)?

I know there is an easy way to do this (I think), but cannot remember it--I have hundred's of cookies that I don't need that are slowing everything up.
Thanks for help!!

CapperLou

[Pace Cap'n]

This will sound silly to you gurus, but how do I save certain cookies such as this one to PA when using ccleaner and checking off cookies(which I don't have checked now)?

I know there is an easy way to do this (I think), but cannot remember it--I have hundred's of cookies that I don't need that are slowing everything up.
Thanks for help!!

CapperLou

Not guru by any means, but here goes:

Make sure you have the latest version, currently "1.32.345".

Click "options" then "cookies" and then move the ones you want to keep to the right hand box.

[traveler]

With CrapCleaner open, click on the Options button,then the Cookies Tab, you will see where you can save or delete cookies, of course you have to have Cookies box checked on the Main Windows tab for any action to be taken.

[Tom]

Well that is going to save me a lot of time every week!
Thanks.
When all else fails, read the directions.

[CapperLou]

Thanks very much guys--appreciate your help!!!

[Hosshead]

Thought I'd try CrapCleaner, so I clicked >Analyze then > Run Cleaner.

When it was done, it had totally screwed up my (loooong) Favorites List.
Nothing was in the same order.
Had to system restore.
This was the newest version that I just downloaded.

[douglasw32]

No doubt about it... regseeker....
http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm

ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR REGISTRY BEFORE MESSING WITH IT.

[Hosshead]

Thought I'd try CrapCleaner, so I clicked >Analyze then > Run Cleaner.

When it was done, it had totally screwed up my (loooong) Favorites List.
Nothing was in the same order.
Had to system restore.
This was the newest version that I just downloaded.
Fixed the problem.
Did some searching on CCleaner Forum.
Someone else had the same problem.
Went back and unchecked the proper box. Ran again.

BUT CCleaner DOES Remove the Icons from your Favorites List.

[CapperLou]

Fixed the problem.
Did some searching on CCleaner Forum.
Someone else had the same problem.
Went back and unchecked the proper box. Ran again.

BUT CCleaner DOES Remove the Icons from your Favorites List.

What box needs to be unchecked?? Any other suggestions? I downloaded the newer version, but have not run it yet. Now I know how my favorites got messed up over a year ago when I ran program for first time. Thx for help.

CapperLou

[headhawg]

I realize that many people here are not experts, so always back up the registry before mucking around in there. Crap Cleaner will ask you if you want to do that.

As far as Favorites, here is a link on how to back them up (mostly for Firefox users, although there is a reference to IE faves):

Backup Favorites (http://www.itbuzzer.net/corner/2004/07/how-to-backup-firefox.asp)

[Pace Cap'n]

As far as Favorites, here is a link on how to back them up (mostly for Firefox users, although there is a reference to IE faves):

Backup Favorites (http://www.itbuzzer.net/corner/2004/07/how-to-backup-firefox.asp)

Took a few minutes to figure it out...here's what I did, for Firefox:

Click Bookmarks, manage bookmarks, file, export, save. This will save your bookmarks to a folder in the "Mozilla Firefox" directory.

[Hosshead]

What box needs to be unchecked?? Any other suggestions? I downloaded the newer version, but have not run it yet. Now I know how my favorites got messed up over a year ago when I ran program for first time. Thx for help.

CapperLou
Lou,

Under Cleaner Settings > Windows > Advanced > UN-Check Menu Order Cache