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Thread: Program for registry

  1. #1
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    Question Program for registry

    Hi ,

    I'm in need of a Registry Cleaner , all i can find is trial programs that only enable me to delete a small percentage of problems found.Does anyone know of a free program similar to S&D that will clean up my registry ???

    Any help would be greatly appriciated.

    Thanks in advance.

    RR

  2. #2
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    What makes you think you need to clean your registry ?
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by katana View Post
    What makes you think you need to clean your registry ?

    Hi Katana, thanks for the reply,
    The reason i need to clean my registry is so that i can get rid of the unwanted programs, etc ....
    hope this helps.
    RR

  4. #4
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    To remove unwanted programs you should use Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel.

    I don't personally recommend the use of ANY registry cleaners.
    Here is an excerpt from a discussion on regcleaners
    Most reg cleaners aren't "bad" as such, but they aren't perfect and even the best have been known to cause problems.
    The point we are trying to make is that the risk of using one far outweighs any benefit.
    If it does work perfectly you will not see any difference
    If it doesn't work properly you may end up with an expensive doorstop.
    http://forums.whatthetech.com/Regcleaner_t42862.html
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by katana View Post
    To remove unwanted programs you should use Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel.

    I don't personally recommend the use of ANY registry cleaners.
    Here is an excerpt from a discussion on regcleaners

    http://forums.whatthetech.com/Regcleaner_t42862.html

    uncopied quote: "If it does work perfectly you will not see any difference"

    I thought I had seen some cases in which registry entries want to start a program which has been removed (perhaps manually) and the system complains about it ... at startup and various occasions... No? If so, removing the registry entry solves that problem... No?

  6. #6
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    True, but using a registry cleaner for that is like using a flame thrower to light a candle.
    It gets the job done but can affect everything around it.
    Unless you know what you are doing with the registry it is best left well alone.
    If it was a legitimate program that you removed then a startup manager will be able to remove the unwanted entry.
    Winpatrol is an excellent choice.

    If it was a rogue program that has been removed you would be better to post a HJT log in the malware forum for a checkup.
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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by katana View Post
    True,
    Thank you, that's what I thought...

    I am quite sure that I have seen Add/remove used but the original software's uninstaller leaving crap behind, including both \program files\ entries and registry entries, even desktop links. These things qualify as annoyances more than malware, so it seems doubtful that the average user would think to go to the extent of HiJack et al.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by itsleo View Post
    both \program files\ entries and registry entries, even desktop links.
    A lot of uninstalled programs leave folders behind.
    A lot of uninstalled programs leave registry entries behind.
    A few leave desktop links.

    Very few leave entries in the run section of the registry.
    Any others do not normally need cleaning, as they will not affect the machine.

    You asked about a registry cleaner, and mentioned the startup of programs.

    I have given you advice based on the information you gave.

    If you want to use a registry cleaner, the topic that I gave a link to has the names of some of the better options.
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