Solved Registry Cleaner which is Most "dummy" Proof?

Hi guys,

Went to Brink's list of utilities and looked over Wise and Comodo Registry Cleaners. All good stuff. In reading the descriptions, both programs noted that they had back-up functions in case one deleted something one shouldn't.

Question: Which one is the most "dummy" proof. Meaning, how will I know what I'm looking at when it flags something? I do delete items from the registry on a regular basis; however, I only touch when I know what it is and am sure I no longer need/want it.

Will the above programs educate me on this or is it better not to mess with this?

Your thoughts?

Thanks for the help.

Meltie

re: Registry Cleaner which is Most "dummy" Proof?

Meltie,
Dont use them. Not needed and may harm the OS.

To maintain your computer

10 Tips on How to Properly Maintain Your Computer

Steps that I did not notice on the guide include:

Running a scan disc before doing a defrag

Using Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes.

Making System Restore points, at least once a week

Makaing a system Image once a month (varies by user)

Not relying on your A/V common sense, should prevail. You know of many sites can cause a problem.

Do not use any reg cleaning or optimizing software.

Download and use Ccleaner about once every two months. Untick any registry entries.
http://www.piriform.com/

If you follow these instructions, you will be trouble free for a long time to come.

Be sure to back up your hard drive about once a month (varies by user) and to keeep system restore points up to date.

Optimize Windows 7 - Most suggestions are equally applicable to Vista

re: Registry Cleaner which is Most "dummy" Proof?

+1 for what richc46 said.
Registry Cleaners have the ability to do more harm than good.
There is really no need for a registry cleaner, contrary to what some may say. I don't think anyone here would ever recommend a registry cleaner/optimizer.
One wrong move, and your system can be majorly messed up. The extra entries don't really do any harm. Most people only want to use them because it makes them feel better knowing there isn't "clutter' in the registry, yet, that clutter doesn't hurt anything.

re: Registry Cleaner which is Most "dummy" Proof?

Richard is absolutely right. If you want your PC to stay healthy, do not use any reg cleaner. They are nothing but trouble.

re: Registry Cleaner which is Most "dummy" Proof?

That's what I was afraid of.

I do use Malware Bytes, CCleaner, HiJackThis, SuperAntiSpyware, and McAfee Total Protection. I am very pleased with McAfee and it doesn't interfere with Vista's Restore.

I make manual Check Points typically every two weeks and ALWAYS before I download or do an update.

I use Macrium once a month as well.

I know to do these things thanks to Rich, Wolf and Shawn - thanks again guys!

Okay - gonna forget this thought. I'll keep doing what I'm doing.

What do you think of the Wise Disk Cleaner and ATF Cleaner? That a good thing to use or nix that idea too?

Thanks for sharing

Meltie

re: Registry Cleaner which is Most "dummy" Proof?

Meltie all you need are the maintenance information that I gave you
For protection
Microsoft Security Essentials
Malwarebytes
Windows Firewall
Eset on line scan
and Spyware blaster
You will be all set.

re: Registry Cleaner which is Most "dummy" Proof?

cool - thanks

Question of the day: Is paranoia an unhealthy emotion or just taking good pro-active measures? In this case I believe it is the latter. Don't like stuff messing with my registry unless I know what it is and what it's doing, including me!

Thanks again for the help

M

re: Registry Cleaner which is Most "dummy" Proof?

Paranoia can be ok for some things, but in some cases if it makes you obsessive with something, it can do more harm than good. Trying to do "too much" isn't always a smart thing to do, and in the case of being paranoid about the registry, this can be bad. Not saying that it is bad at this point, but it could be if paranoia gets the best of you.

Knowing what things might be doing to your registry without you knowing is not being paranoid. Now, if you go into it and start deleting things because of being paranoid about what might be in it......not so good.

re: Registry Cleaner which is Most "dummy" Proof?

If you are worried use this to take a snap of your registry and if you run it later it will tell you what has been changed.
Works on registry and files.

re: Registry Cleaner which is Most "dummy" Proof?

cool - thanks. I'll download the link.

I agree, going in and just deleting things is BAD!! I was kinda joking about the paranoia thing and kinda not It is a concern with all the malware out there. I had a trojan several months ago which my protection caught; however, it did alter the registry. Fortunately, I restored it back. Since then, I just like to keep my eye on things, bearing in mind a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.