Vista - Do not use registry cleaners!

This is just a heads-up for everyone out there not to make this mistake that I made. This does not apply for those programs with specific Vista x64 versions.Recently I purchased a brand new Gateway computer. This computer had lots of pre-installed crapware on it and I did not want that. One of the programs in particular gave a really troublesome uninstall, and it left things messy. Knowing that, and wanting a clean system, I installed and ran RegCure, which found an insane amount of registry errors. I "fixed" them.What basically happened was, just hours after hooking up a brand new computer, RegCure completely destroyed my computer. It could find no networks, Windows Explorer would hardly run, it wouldn't connect to virtual disk management, all system restore dates were unavailable. It ruined my computer and I had to send it in to Gateway repairs with the filler excuse that I was given a faulty hard drive for them to fix my situation.IF YOU USE VISTA x64, IT IS IN MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION NOT TO USE ANY TYPE OF REGISTRY CLEANER!

posted from:http://www.vistax64.com/software/86472-latest-ccleaner-version-released.html

Actually using Registry Cleaners is not the problem.
Almost every registry cleaner is not able to distinguish between unwanted and legitimate entries, letting it "clean" without oversight is the real issue. If you know the function of the entries it wants to "clean" and clean them it works fine. If you do not know the function then you do not let it "clean" them- rule of thumb.

It is my opinion that reg cleaners are usually worthless, and often dangerous. I just backed my reg and it's 350mb! Cutting a few data lines, or even thousands, is similar to snipping one word from the Sunday edition of the NY Times.

I have yet to see diagnostic, verifiable evidence that they speed up a computer to any degree worthy of the potential downside.

My opinon, of course.

What about ccleaner and auslogics registry defrag?
Are they bad too?

I dont advocate registry cleaners as I think most users who do use them do so with impunity without really understanding what they are doing, and as a result "clean" or delete critical Windows .dll entries (amongst other things), and end up with a corrupted Windows Installation, and/or program(s).
Honestly, I do not use them myself as there are other ways to improve performance, and If a situation arises where I need to edit the registry I do it through regedit. Easy, and simple.

ps- the best way to obtain a "clean system" on a new purchase is to reformat/re-install Vista and install the necessary programs that you want yourself. Then use a free imaging program to backup the entire drive for quick recovery if ever needed, and always use Vista's file backup utility to back up all your data on a weekly basis.

These programs are for people who want to have their computers in a more perfect state. I use them, but only for stuff I understand. If I see a registry entry I don't understand, I just skip it. Newer computers are not going to see improved performance (from what i've read) These programs (CCleaner) are not for everyone. They have their place. I have used CCleaner on my XP pro and never had a problem. I'm very careful with my Vista x64.

The other problem is users who advocate their use as a "fix all" without explanation or understanding. I've read quite a few post where it was recommended to "use a reg cleaner to get rid of "crapware" or use a reg cleaner to “remove anything ATI/Nvidia" - problem...some of those files are base files, or some of that "crapware" is essential to the proper operation of the OS/system.

Yeah, "your" custom built system may not have that "Dell" bloated "crapware" on your system...but on a "Dell" built system, that "crapware" could turn out to be a critical file!!!

No one explains this as they freely advocate the use of "reg cleaners"

That's the problem.

Though I've tried reg cleaners in the past, I don't use them now, nor do I advocate them. I personally think they do more harm than good.

However, If you still desire to use a reg cleaner then I would follow rive0108's advice...

Just my two cents

Great post rive

Why thank you sygnus.

Thanks. I thougt it was a good post.

I have told others who insist on using reg cleaners to first make a full copy of the registry. Not an image or ghost, but a real exported copy. Create a folder called _00 or something beginning with the underscore that places at the top of the Explore list.

Create a desktop shortcut to a handy place on the screen.

Now use the reg cleaner with EXTREME caution, and not the scorched earth method to fix all.

If all goes well, wonderful. After a safe period, say a few weeks, delete the reg file if you need the space.

But if things go south and the cleaner mess things up, you can boot up, even in safemode, double click that shortcut and import the full file back to the reg.

Reboot, and you are back to original with little effort or risk.