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Old November 9th 05, 12:31 AM
Shane
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Default Free Windows ME Registry Cleaners

I haven't used CCleaner - mainly because I see no need - but I get the
impression it's nearest equivalent is EasyCleaner, a product I use for
finding duplicate files (it does *this* very well). I occasionally test it's
reg cleaning abilities and it appears to have overcome the error potential
of the earlier version, but I don't believe this type of cleaner can ever be
trusted. The author is unlikely ever to foresee all potential pitfalls, the
subject is so complicated. My thoughts on Norton are just about irrelevant
these days, the one I sometimes use is so old, but the point was true five
years ago and remains true for registry cleaners in general, that their
raison d'etre is to enable clueless users to click a button without thinking
about it, believing the hype and putting eventual problems down to Windows
itself.

Regcleaner/jv16 is inherently much more safe, by targeting only a subset of
registry keys, of uninstalled software (and it has definate advantages for
cleaning up settings that an uninstaller fails to remove). I feel it is
about the only product that deserves the accolade of 'safe registry
cleaner'. But what those who ask about registry cleaners seem inevitably to
want are some comprehensive fantasy kind that doesn't really exist. There is
no real need to clean the registry beyond what Regcleaner/jv16 can achieve
(though the occasional optimization using either Scanreg or Erunt can be
useful).

I think what happens is new users use a registry cleaner, see a great list
of so-called problems, delete them, and feel really useful, feel like
they've taken out the trash. A few more times (still statistically likely to
be problem-free) reinforces this and it becomes part of the widespread
'system administrator' addiction. You can no longer tell them, eg Norton is
likely to cause problems, they won't listen, they'll put their fingers in
their ears, go La La La! and post in a different forum instead.

:-)


Shane

"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
H
jv16 and Ccleaner are close to being 'best of breed' - but.....
I ran Ccleaner a couple of weeks back on my own XP machine, and it found a
large number of registry 'problems' - many of which were not problems at
all, but were present by design (for whatever reason). clearing out what I
felt comfortable with, still left me with a large raft of 'problems' - and
even more after I reran the tool.
Coincidentally, I started having problems with my Office install - and
can't help wondering if this was a contributing factor (especially as
another MVP had a similar scenario himself - but we couldn't isolate
cause/effect).

There's pratfalls, and there's pitfalls - and there's needless risks.
There ain't no registry cleaner like knowledge! Just make sure of the
knowledge before you act on it g.

one to definitely steer clear of is.......



you probably guessed it........






NORTON!

It's full of false positive, and if you let it do it's thing, you will
almost certainly end up having to use System Restore (assuming Live Update
hasn't screwed that, as well!)


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Heirloom" wrote in message
...
Noel,
Far be it from me to "paddle upstream" in your knowledge, however, I
have found the last free version (and probably, the pay version) of jv16
Power Tools ver. 1.3 and Crap Cleaner (new version out a short time ago,
www.ccleaner.com ) are both quite good. I do monitor what is being
removed, but, have never had the need to change anything and, both
programs provide a backup that can be kept in the remote instance that
something does go awry.
Any registry modifying tool does, of course, have to be used
judiciously. Do you not find these within the grasp of most any new
user, so long as that user understands the need for backup?
Sure don't want to step on any toes here, I highly respect your
opinions and knowledge.
Heirloom, old and humbled by the
mere presence

"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
There are none - unless backed up by a knowledge of the registry from
the user of such tools.

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to
NG's

"Egan" wrote in message
...
Hi

Does anyone know of any free registry cleaners that do a great job of
cleaning unwanted registry entries from Windows ME?

Please reply soon.

Thanks.

Egan