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Cleaning up the Windows Registry

Guest Ed Wood

By Guest Ed Wood
in Windows XP

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Guest Ed Wood

Guest Ed Wood

Posted
Posted

Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available. I can

find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus software guru's

say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more damage

than good.

 

I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend to

slow down XP Pro.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards,

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Guest R. McCarty

Guest R. McCarty

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

Perpetual Topic #1 -

 

First, the only impact to performance from a invalid Registry key is if a

program is uninstalled that "Orphans" a service call from the Current

Control Set. Most modern/recent programs properly uninstall themselves.

Some Norton Home Products leave pieces of the application behind

after being uninstalled. Even with an "Orphaned Service" the only impact

will be a lag at boot time when the service is called to start & can't.

Removing Orphaned Service calls is best done manually with Regedit.

 

The problem with Registry Cleaning is the determination of what is &

what is not an invalid Key/Value to remove. Some Cleaners only work

on Temporary files and MRUs ( Most Recently Used Tables ). However

if you ran 3 different cleaners ( and did not allow cleanup ), you'd find

that each builds a different list of what it believes are invalid entries.

It's

this variance that is dangerous. Some Registry cleaners take out entries

that aren't immediately called on or used. You might run a Registry tool

in February and not discover a broken association until May.

 

If this is something you're determined to pursue then you'll want to take

preventative measures. Even though most cleaners have an Undo function

that won't always restore the system. Best to take an Image of the PC

before using and then prepare to restore when something that "Used to

Work - Doesn't".

 

 

"Ed Wood" <EdWood@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:4870FC9D-6056-438E-93B5-7F953FEAE5D8@microsoft.com...

> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available. I can

> find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus software

> guru's

> say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more

> damage

> than good.

>

> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend

> to

> slow down XP Pro.

>

> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Regards,

Guest JS

Guest JS

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

Not a good idea.

Freeware registry cleaners can trash your PC at no cost $$$ to you.

Those registry cleaner utilities that cost money are best known

for cleaning your wallet and then trashing your PC.

 

If the above isn't enough to convince you then read this:

AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry Cleaner?

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

 

JS

http://www.pagestart.com

 

 

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

"Ed Wood" <EdWood@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:4870FC9D-6056-438E-93B5-7F953FEAE5D8@microsoft.com...

> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available. I can

> find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus software

> guru's

> say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more

> damage

> than good.

>

> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend

> to

> slow down XP Pro.

>

> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Regards,

Guest Gerry

Guest Gerry

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

Encore

 

 

--

 

 

 

Gerry

~~~~

FCA

Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JS wrote:

> Not a good idea.

> Freeware registry cleaners can trash your PC at no cost $$$ to you.

> Those registry cleaner utilities that cost money are best known

> for cleaning your wallet and then trashing your PC.

>

> If the above isn't enough to convince you then read this:

> AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry Cleaner?

> http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

>

> JS

> http://www.pagestart.com

>

>

> http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

> "Ed Wood" <EdWood@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:4870FC9D-6056-438E-93B5-7F953FEAE5D8@microsoft.com...

>> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available.

>> I can find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus

>> software guru's

>> say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more

>> damage

>> than good.

>>

>> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that

>> tend to

>> slow down XP Pro.

>>

>> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>>

>> Regards,

Guest Ed Wood

Guest Ed Wood

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

 

Thanks, guys.

 

You have convinced me to leave them alone. I have enough problems already

with trying to remove spyware/adware from my system. It seems like every

spyware/adware product on the market finds some different spyware or adware

that the others missed. I guess if you ran all of them, you would spend all

of your time trying to clean your computer.

 

Again,

Thanks

 

"Gerry" wrote:

> Encore

>

>

> --

>

>

>

> Gerry

> ~~~~

> FCA

> Stourport, England

> Enquire, plan and execute

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> JS wrote:

> > Not a good idea.

> > Freeware registry cleaners can trash your PC at no cost $$$ to you.

> > Those registry cleaner utilities that cost money are best known

> > for cleaning your wallet and then trashing your PC.

> >

> > If the above isn't enough to convince you then read this:

> > AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry Cleaner?

> > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

> >

> > JS

> > http://www.pagestart.com

> >

> >

> > http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

> > "Ed Wood" <EdWood@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> > news:4870FC9D-6056-438E-93B5-7F953FEAE5D8@microsoft.com...

> >> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available.

> >> I can find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus

> >> software guru's

> >> say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more

> >> damage

> >> than good.

> >>

> >> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that

> >> tend to

> >> slow down XP Pro.

> >>

> >> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

> >>

> >> Regards,

>

>

>

Guest Bob I

Guest Bob I

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

The scan for specific keys in the registry and their removal by

"anti-malware software" is entirely different than "automatic registry

cleaners". Former is good, later is bogus.

 

Ed Wood wrote:

> Thanks, guys.

>

> You have convinced me to leave them alone. I have enough problems already

> with trying to remove spyware/adware from my system. It seems like every

> spyware/adware product on the market finds some different spyware or adware

> that the others missed. I guess if you ran all of them, you would spend all

> of your time trying to clean your computer.

>

> Again,

> Thanks

>

> "Gerry" wrote:

>

>

>>Encore

>>

>>

>>--

>>

>>

>>

>>Gerry

>>~~~~

>>FCA

>>Stourport, England

>>Enquire, plan and execute

>>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>>JS wrote:

>>

>>>Not a good idea.

>>>Freeware registry cleaners can trash your PC at no cost $$$ to you.

>>>Those registry cleaner utilities that cost money are best known

>>>for cleaning your wallet and then trashing your PC.

>>>

>>>If the above isn't enough to convince you then read this:

>>>AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry Cleaner?

>>>http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

>>>

>>>JS

>>>http://www.pagestart.com

>>>

>>>

>>>http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

>>>"Ed Wood" <EdWood@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>>>news:4870FC9D-6056-438E-93B5-7F953FEAE5D8@microsoft.com...

>>>

>>>>Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available.

>>>>I can find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus

>>>>software guru's

>>>>say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more

>>>>damage

>>>>than good.

>>>>

>>>>I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that

>>>>tend to

>>>>slow down XP Pro.

>>>>

>>>>Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>>>>

>>>>Regards,

>>

>>

>>

Guest Ken Blake, MVP

Guest Ken Blake, MVP

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

On Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:22:01 -0700, Ed Wood

<EdWood@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available. I can

> find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus software guru's

> say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more damage

> than good.

>

> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend to

> slow down XP Pro.

 

 

They do no not slow down XP.

 

Registry cleaning programs are *all* snake oil. Cleaning of the

registry isn't needed and is dangerous. Leave the registry alone and

don't use any registry cleaner. Despite what many people think, and

what vendors of registry cleaning software try to convince you of,

having unused registry entries doesn't really hurt you.

 

The risk of a serious problem caused by a registry cleaner erroneously

removing an entry you need is far greater than any potential benefit

it may have.

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Guest db.·.. >

Guest db.·.. >

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

you really have no one

to thank for manipulating

you into doing nothing to

resolve your issue(s),

that is if they are legit.

 

microsoft has the final

word on its operating

system.

 

therefore, if you want expert

advice and help then you will be

smart enough to review

here:

 

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/article/registry_cleaner_why.htm

 

 

--

 

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

 

"Ed Wood" <EdWood@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4870FC9D-6056-438E-93B5-7F953FEAE5D8@microsoft.com...

> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available. I can

> find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus software guru's

> say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more damage

> than good.

>

> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend to

> slow down XP Pro.

>

> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Regards,

Guest Kelly

Guest Kelly

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

Good point.

 

--

 

All the Best,

Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

 

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

SupportSpace

http://www.supportspace.com/pages?aiu=kellyskorner

 

"Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:u548smxIJHA.3424@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> The scan for specific keys in the registry and their removal by

> "anti-malware software" is entirely different than "automatic registry

> cleaners". Former is good, later is bogus.

>

> Ed Wood wrote:

>

>> Thanks, guys.

>>

>> You have convinced me to leave them alone. I have enough problems already

>> with trying to remove spyware/adware from my system. It seems like every

>> spyware/adware product on the market finds some different spyware or

>> adware that the others missed. I guess if you ran all of them, you would

>> spend all of your time trying to clean your computer.

>>

>> Again,

>> Thanks

>>

>> "Gerry" wrote:

>>

>>

>>>Encore

>>>

>>>

>>>--

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>Gerry

>>>~~~~

>>>FCA

>>>Stourport, England

>>>Enquire, plan and execute

>>>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>>>JS wrote:

>>>

>>>>Not a good idea.

>>>>Freeware registry cleaners can trash your PC at no cost $$$ to you.

>>>>Those registry cleaner utilities that cost money are best known

>>>>for cleaning your wallet and then trashing your PC.

>>>>

>>>>If the above isn't enough to convince you then read this:

>>>>AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry Cleaner?

>>>>http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

>>>>

>>>>JS

>>>>http://www.pagestart.com

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

>>>>"Ed Wood" <EdWood@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>>>>news:4870FC9D-6056-438E-93B5-7F953FEAE5D8@microsoft.com...

>>>>

>>>>>Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available.

>>>>>I can find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus

>>>>>software guru's

>>>>>say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more

>>>>>damage

>>>>>than good.

>>>>>

>>>>>I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that

>>>>>tend to

>>>>>slow down XP Pro.

>>>>>

>>>>>Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>>>>>

>>>>>Regards,

>>>

>>>

>>>

>

Guest HeyBub

Guest HeyBub

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

Ed Wood wrote:

> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available.

> I can find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus

> software guru's say it is not a good idea to run these programs as

> they might do more damage than good.

>

> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that

> tend to slow down XP Pro.

>

> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>

 

A "clean" registry is no faster than a "dirty" registry. The size of the

registry has no influence on a computer's speed (the registry is not

searched sequentially).

 

Microsoft has a registry cleaner available for download, but I think it's a

placebo.

Guest Kayman

Guest Kayman

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

On Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:22:01 -0700, Ed Wood wrote:

> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available. I can

> find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus software guru's

> say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more damage

> than good.

> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend to

> slow down XP Pro.

> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Why I don¢t use registry cleaners!

http://www.edbott.com/weblog/archives/000643.html

 

I'd use:

CCleaner - Free

Cleans temporary internet files, cookies, history, recent urls, application

MRUs, etc. ... (ignoring the registry scanning/fixing option!)

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

If Windows Defender is utilized go to Applications, under Utilities

uncheck "Windows Defender" (so it won't delete the history of WD);

Followed by:

NTREGOPT

http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

Guest Plato

Guest Plato

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

>

> Registry cleaning programs are *all* snake oil. Cleaning of the

 

False.

 

--

http://www.bootdisk.com/

Guest Plato

Guest Plato

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

=?Utf-8?B?RWQgV29vZA==?= wrote:

>

> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available. I can

 

No.

> find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus software guru's

> say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more damage

> than good.

>

> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend to

> slow down XP Pro.

 

Removing bad calls in the registry will generally, not, speed up your

pc, tho, removing bad calls, may speed up boot time.

 

--

http://www.bootdisk.com/

Guest Dale

Guest Dale

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

As I was reading this post....I thought the same thing !

Onecare

Glad someone pickup up on that !

--

dale

 

 

"db.·.. ><))) ·>` .. ." wrote:

> you really have no one

> to thank for manipulating

> you into doing nothing to

> resolve your issue(s),

> that is if they are legit.

>

> microsoft has the final

> word on its operating

> system.

>

> therefore, if you want expert

> advice and help then you will be

> smart enough to review

> here:

>

> http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/article/registry_cleaner_why.htm

>

>

> --

>

> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

>

> "Ed Wood" <EdWood@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4870FC9D-6056-438E-93B5-7F953FEAE5D8@microsoft.com...

> > Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available. I can

> > find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus software guru's

> > say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more damage

> > than good.

> >

> > I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend to

> > slow down XP Pro.

> >

> > Any help would be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Regards,

>

>

Guest db.·.. >

Guest db.·.. >

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

thanks.

 

there are many intelligent

"PC's", that benefit by it.

 

 

--

 

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

 

"Dale" <Dale@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:405AB0EC-B8C4-4734-A228-66DAB2E98DA1@microsoft.com...

> As I was reading this post....I thought the same thing !

> Onecare

> Glad someone pickup up on that !

> --

> dale

>

>

> "db.·.. ><))) ·>` .. ." wrote:

>

>> you really have no one

>> to thank for manipulating

>> you into doing nothing to

>> resolve your issue(s),

>> that is if they are legit.

>>

>> microsoft has the final

>> word on its operating

>> system.

>>

>> therefore, if you want expert

>> advice and help then you will be

>> smart enough to review

>> here:

>>

>> http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/article/registry_cleaner_why.htm

>>

>>

>> --

>>

>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

>>

>> "Ed Wood" <EdWood@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4870FC9D-6056-438E-93B5-7F953FEAE5D8@microsoft.com...

>> > Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available. I can

>> > find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus software guru's

>> > say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more damage

>> > than good.

>> >

>> > I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend to

>> > slow down XP Pro.

>> >

>> > Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>> >

>> > Regards,

>>

>>

Guest Bruce Chambers

Guest Bruce Chambers

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

Ed Wood wrote:

> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available.

 

 

Yes, sadly, there is. Microsoft saw how many gullible people there

are, and decided to offer their own snake oil product. I provide this

info only to answer your question; in absolutely no way is this to be

construed as any sort of recommendation or endorsement:

 

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/article/registry_cleaner_why.htm

 

BE WARNED: I DO NOT recommend the use of this or any other registry

cleaner.

 

> I can

> find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus software guru's

> say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do more damage

> than good.

>

 

 

Your "antivirus software gurus" are absolutely correct. Registry

cleaners do no good, and carry the potential for great harm.

 

Why do you even think you'd ever need to clean your registry? What

specific *problems* are you actually experiencing (not some program's

bogus listing of imaginary problems) that you think can be fixed by

using a registry "cleaner?"

 

If you do have a problem that is rooted in the registry, it would

be far better to simply edit (after backing up, of course) only the

specific key(s) and/or value(s) that are causing the problem. After

all, why use a chainsaw when a scalpel will do the job? Additionally,

the manually changing of one or two registry entries is far less likely

to have the dire consequences of allowing an automated product to make

multiple changes simultaneously. The only thing needed to safely clean

your registry is knowledge and Regedit.exe.

 

The registry contains all of the operating system's "knowledge" of

the computer's hardware devices, installed software, the location of the

device drivers, and the computer's configuration. A misstep in the

registry can have severe consequences. One should not even turning

loose a poorly understood automated "cleaner," unless he is fully

confident that he knows *exactly* what is going to happen as a result of

each and every change.

 

Having repeatedly seen the results of inexperienced people using

automated registry "cleaners," I can only advise all but the most

experienced computer technicians (and/or hobbyists) to avoid them all.

Experience has shown me that such tools simply are not safe in the hands

of the inexperienced user. If you lack the knowledge and experience to

maintain your registry by yourself, then you also lack the knowledge and

experience to safely configure and use any automated registry cleaner,

no matter how safe they claim to be.

 

More importantly, no one has ever demonstrated that the use of an

automated registry "cleaner," particularly by an untrained,

inexperienced computer user, does any real good, whatsoever. There's

certainly been no empirical evidence offered to demonstrate that the use

of such products to "clean" WinXP's registry improves a computer's

performance or stability. Given the potential for harm, it's just not

worth the risk.

 

Granted, most registry "cleaners" won't cause problems each and

every time they're used, but the potential for harm is always there.

And, since no registry "cleaner" has ever been demonstrated to do any

good (think of them like treating the flu with chicken soup - there's no

real medicinal value, but it sometimes provides a warming placebo

effect), I always tell people that the risks far out-weigh the

non-existent benefits.

 

I will concede that a good registry *scanning* tool, in the hands

of an experienced and knowledgeable technician or hobbyist can be a

useful time-saving diagnostic tool, as long as it's not allowed to make

any changes automatically. But I really don't think that there are any

registry "cleaners" that are truly safe for the general public to use.

Experience has proven just the opposite: such tools simply are not safe

in the hands of the inexperienced user.

 

A little further reading on the subject:

 

Why I don't use registry cleaners

http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=643

 

AumHa Forums • View topic - AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry

Cleaner?

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

 

> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend to

> slow down XP Pro.

>

 

 

Ah, but those "extraneous registry entries" *DON'T* impact WinXP'

performance, not in the least.

 

Remember, the registry is an *indexed* database. The OS doesn't have

scan through each and every registry entry to find the one that it's

looking for. To use an imperfect analogy, try thinking of the registry

as a book with a very detailed table of contents. Once the OS knows to

which "page" it must turn to find the information needed, the OS goes

*directly* (much more so than you or I could do with a physical book) to

the pertinent data. The number of intervening "pages, paragraphs, and

words" is utterly irrelevant.

 

The only time the sheer number of registry entries matters, and can

possibly affect performance, is when one is doing something that

requires a full entry-by-entry scan of the registry. And one does this

*only* on those rare occasions when it is necessary to search the

registry for a particular value, or when using something like a registry

scanner or "cleaner." Day-to-day operations remain untouched.

 

 

 

--

 

Bruce Chambers

 

Help us help you:

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

 

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

 

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary

safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

 

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

 

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has

killed a great many philosophers.

~ Denis Diderot

Guest Leythos

Guest Leythos

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

In article <O8YNEwPJJHA.6088@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl>,

bchambers@cable0ne.n3t says...

> Ed Wood wrote:

> > Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available.

>

>

> Yes, sadly, there is. Microsoft saw how many gullible people there

> are, and decided to offer their own snake oil product. I provide this

> info only to answer your question; in absolutely no way is this to be

> construed as any sort of recommendation or endorsement:

>

> http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/article/registry_cleaner_why.htm

>

> BE WARNED: I DO NOT recommend the use of this or any other registry

> cleaner.

 

OneCare should be called OneCrap.

 

I tried it the other day, what a giant bunch of crap.

 

You can't disable different parts of the scans, you can't bypass the

"Disk Cleanup Scan"....

 

I've uninstalled it and will never use it again, not on my systems or

any clients systems.

 

--

- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.

- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a

drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"

spam999free@rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

Guest db.·.. >

Guest db.·.. >

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

if microsoft can be

accused of making

snake oil, then they

made the same

mistakes with making

you and a few others

mvp's.

 

you need to add to your

quotation list:

 

"don't bite the hand

that feeds your ego"

 

--

 

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

 

"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message news:O8YNEwPJJHA.6088@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> Ed Wood wrote:

>> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available.

>

>

> Yes, sadly, there is. Microsoft saw how many gullible people there are, and decided to offer their own snake oil product. I

> provide this info only to answer your question; in absolutely no way is this to be construed as any sort of recommendation or

> endorsement:

>

> http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/article/registry_cleaner_why.htm

>

> BE WARNED: I DO NOT recommend the use of this or any other registry cleaner.

>

>

>> I can find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus software guru's say it is not a good idea to run these

>> programs as they might do more damage than good.

>>

>

>

> Your "antivirus software gurus" are absolutely correct. Registry cleaners do no good, and carry the potential for great harm.

>

> Why do you even think you'd ever need to clean your registry? What specific *problems* are you actually experiencing (not some

> program's bogus listing of imaginary problems) that you think can be fixed by using a registry "cleaner?"

>

> If you do have a problem that is rooted in the registry, it would be far better to simply edit (after backing up, of course)

> only the specific key(s) and/or value(s) that are causing the problem. After all, why use a chainsaw when a scalpel will do the

> job? Additionally, the manually changing of one or two registry entries is far less likely to have the dire consequences of

> allowing an automated product to make multiple changes simultaneously. The only thing needed to safely clean your registry is

> knowledge and Regedit.exe.

>

> The registry contains all of the operating system's "knowledge" of the computer's hardware devices, installed software, the

> location of the device drivers, and the computer's configuration. A misstep in the registry can have severe consequences. One

> should not even turning loose a poorly understood automated "cleaner," unless he is fully confident that he knows *exactly* what

> is going to happen as a result of each and every change.

>

> Having repeatedly seen the results of inexperienced people using automated registry "cleaners," I can only advise all but the

> most experienced computer technicians (and/or hobbyists) to avoid them all. Experience has shown me that such tools simply are not

> safe in the hands of the inexperienced user. If you lack the knowledge and experience to maintain your registry by yourself, then

> you also lack the knowledge and experience to safely configure and use any automated registry cleaner, no matter how safe they

> claim to be.

>

> More importantly, no one has ever demonstrated that the use of an automated registry "cleaner," particularly by an untrained,

> inexperienced computer user, does any real good, whatsoever. There's certainly been no empirical evidence offered to demonstrate

> that the use of such products to "clean" WinXP's registry improves a computer's performance or stability. Given the potential for

> harm, it's just not worth the risk.

>

> Granted, most registry "cleaners" won't cause problems each and every time they're used, but the potential for harm is always

> there. And, since no registry "cleaner" has ever been demonstrated to do any good (think of them like treating the flu with

> chicken soup - there's no real medicinal value, but it sometimes provides a warming placebo effect), I always tell people that the

> risks far out-weigh the non-existent benefits.

>

> I will concede that a good registry *scanning* tool, in the hands of an experienced and knowledgeable technician or hobbyist

> can be a useful time-saving diagnostic tool, as long as it's not allowed to make any changes automatically. But I really don't

> think that there are any registry "cleaners" that are truly safe for the general public to use. Experience has proven just the

> opposite: such tools simply are not safe in the hands of the inexperienced user.

>

> A little further reading on the subject:

>

> Why I don't use registry cleaners

> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=643

>

> AumHa Forums • View topic - AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry Cleaner?

> http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

>

>

>> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend to slow down XP Pro.

>>

>

>

> Ah, but those "extraneous registry entries" *DON'T* impact WinXP' performance, not in the least.

>

> Remember, the registry is an *indexed* database. The OS doesn't have scan through each and every registry entry to find the one

> that it's looking for. To use an imperfect analogy, try thinking of the registry as a book with a very detailed table of

> contents. Once the OS knows to which "page" it must turn to find the information needed, the OS goes *directly* (much more so

> than you or I could do with a physical book) to the pertinent data. The number of intervening "pages, paragraphs, and words" is

> utterly irrelevant.

>

> The only time the sheer number of registry entries matters, and can possibly affect performance, is when one is doing

> something that requires a full entry-by-entry scan of the registry. And one does this *only* on those rare occasions when it is

> necessary to search the registry for a particular value, or when using something like a registry scanner or "cleaner." Day-to-day

> operations remain untouched.

>

>

>

> --

>

> Bruce Chambers

>

> Help us help you:

> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

>

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

>

> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

>

> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

>

> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.

> ~ Denis Diderot

Guest Bill in Co.

Guest Bill in Co.

Posted
Posted

Re: Cleaning up the Windows Registry

 

> if microsoft can be

> accused of making

> snake oil, then they

> made the same

> mistakes with making

> you and a few others

> mvp's.

>

> you need to add to your

> quotation list:

>

> "don't bite the hand

> that feeds your ego"

 

??? Are you talking about yourself?

Self-projection noted, once again. It's depressing.

> --

>

> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

>

> "Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message

> news:O8YNEwPJJHA.6088@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>> Ed Wood wrote:

>>> Is there any Microsoft approved Registry Cleaning program available.

>>

>>

>> Yes, sadly, there is. Microsoft saw how many gullible people there are,

>> and

>> decided to offer their own snake oil product. I provide this info only

>> to

>> answer your question; in absolutely no way is this to be construed as any

>> sort of recommendation or endorsement:

>> http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/article/registry_cleaner_why.htm

>>

>> BE WARNED: I DO NOT recommend the use of this or any other registry

>> cleaner.

>>

>>

>>> I can find several programs available on the web, but my Antivirus

>>> software

>>> guru's say it is not a good idea to run these programs as they might do

>>> more damage than good.

>>

>>

>> Your "antivirus software gurus" are absolutely correct. Registry

>> cleaners

>> do no good, and carry the potential for great harm. Why do you even think

>> you'd ever need to clean your registry? What

>> specific *problems* are you actually experiencing (not some program's

>> bogus

>> listing of imaginary problems) that you think can be fixed by using a

>> registry "cleaner?" If you do have a problem that is rooted in the

>> registry, it would be far

>> better to simply edit (after backing up, of course) only the specific

>> key(s)

>> and/or value(s) that are causing the problem. After all, why use a

>> chainsaw

>> when a scalpel will do the job? Additionally, the manually changing of

>> one

>> or two registry entries is far less likely to have the dire consequences

>> of

>> allowing an automated product to make multiple changes simultaneously.

>> The

>> only thing needed to safely clean your registry is knowledge and

>> Regedit.exe. The registry contains all of the operating system's

>> "knowledge" of the

>> computer's hardware devices, installed software, the location of the

>> device

>> drivers, and the computer's configuration. A misstep in the registry can

>> have severe consequences. One should not even turning loose a poorly

>> understood automated "cleaner," unless he is fully confident that he

>> knows

>> *exactly* what is going to happen as a result of each and every change.

>> Having repeatedly seen the results of inexperienced people using

>> automated registry "cleaners," I can only advise all but the most

>> experienced computer technicians (and/or hobbyists) to avoid them all.

>> Experience has shown me that such tools simply are not safe in the hands

>> of

>> the inexperienced user. If you lack the knowledge and experience to

>> maintain your registry by yourself, then you also lack the knowledge and

>> experience to safely configure and use any automated registry cleaner, no

>> matter how safe they claim to be. More importantly, no one has ever

>> demonstrated that the use of an

>> automated registry "cleaner," particularly by an untrained, inexperienced

>> computer user, does any real good, whatsoever. There's certainly been no

>> empirical evidence offered to demonstrate that the use of such products

>> to

>> "clean" WinXP's registry improves a computer's performance or stability.

>> Given the potential for harm, it's just not worth the risk. Granted,

>> most registry "cleaners" won't cause problems each and every

>> time they're used, but the potential for harm is always there. And, since

>> no

>> registry "cleaner" has ever been demonstrated to do any good (think of

>> them

>> like treating the flu with chicken soup - there's no real medicinal

>> value,

>> but it sometimes provides a warming placebo effect), I always tell people

>> that the risks far out-weigh the non-existent benefits. I will concede

>> that a good registry *scanning* tool, in the hands of an

>> experienced and knowledgeable technician or hobbyist can be a useful

>> time-saving diagnostic tool, as long as it's not allowed to make any

>> changes

>> automatically. But I really don't think that there are any registry

>> "cleaners" that are truly safe for the general public to use. Experience

>> has

>> proven just the opposite: such tools simply are not safe in the hands of

>> the

>> inexperienced user. A little further reading on the subject:

>>

>> Why I don't use registry cleaners

>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=643

>>

>> AumHa Forums â?¢ View topic - AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry

>> Cleaner? http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099

>>

>>

>>> I would like to remove all of the extraneous registery entries that tend

>>> to

>>> slow down XP Pro.

>>

>>

>> Ah, but those "extraneous registry entries" *DON'T* impact WinXP'

>> performance, not in the least. Remember, the registry is an *indexed*

>> database. The OS doesn't have scan

>> through each and every registry entry to find the one that it's looking

>> for.

>> To use an imperfect analogy, try thinking of the registry as a book with

>> a

>> very detailed table of contents. Once the OS knows to which "page" it

>> must

>> turn to find the information needed, the OS goes *directly* (much more so

>> than you or I could do with a physical book) to the pertinent data. The

>> number of intervening "pages, paragraphs, and words" is utterly

>> irrelevant. The only time the sheer number of registry entries matters,

>> and can

>> possibly affect performance, is when one is doing something that requires

>> a

>> full entry-by-entry scan of the registry. And one does this *only* on

>> those

>> rare occasions when it is necessary to search the registry for a

>> particular

>> value, or when using something like a registry scanner or "cleaner."

>> Day-to-day operations remain untouched. --

>>

>> Bruce Chambers

>>

>> Help us help you:

>> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

>>

>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

>>

>> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary

>> safety

>> deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin Many people would

>> rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

>>

>> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has

>> killed

>> a great many philosophers. ~ Denis Diderot

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