[Vesta1234]

Ok so PC world recommends I use Registry Boost so I download and pay for the dang thing and get Tweak free

Now I find out you all seem to the think its either a waste or dangerous.
So my questions are now

I have it, can it be of any use to me at all or should I just bin it and wave goodbye to $30

What good is any Registry Boosts or Tweaks ?

My computer is old and has loads of rubbish I no longer need, while I can uninstall some programs using CCleaner I can still find files referring to them, case in point my old dead printer Espon left behind some 40 odd files after uninstalling and rebooting computer

I am sure there are many things I cant find myself that need to go, but how, what, where do I look?

Thanks in advance


Running XP SP2 on Intel Core 2Duo processor

[techie4fun]

I wouldn't worry about registry cleaning. I used to swear by registry cleaners but never found much of a benefit to them. Sure they claim to boost performance and boot time (one scan made my Windows boot 2 seconds less than what it would have had I not run the scan), and the advertisements seem so luring, but I've found that wiping the hard drive and reinstalling Windows after 6 months to really be the most effective solution.

[LincolnSpector]

Hi, Vesta, and welcome to the forums.

What PC World article recommended these programs?

Lincoln

[AgentF]

Registry cleaners can be dangerous if the end-user doesn't understand much about the registry or the entries being "cleaned" (deleted). I have personal experience with fixing a computer problem using one, but an unknowledgeable user may cause more problems. The speed increase after cleaning the registry is typically negligible.

I've never had a problem caused by CCleaner's registry cleaner, and I'm glad it prompts for a backup before cleaning. I always take a look at the entries suggested for removal before cleaning.

For uninstalling applications, I always use Revo Uninstaller Free. It will initiate the program's uninstall wizard and then scan the system for leftover files, folders, and registry entries. Of course, you have the option to ignore it's recommendations. The free version won't scan for leftover files, filders, or registry entries if the program was installed earlier, but the Professional version will.

[Hoop]

I'm using Uniblue's SpeedUpMyPC and had used thier older Registry Cleaner before, I run the speedup once a week, sometime my PC feels much lighter after that, but the registry cleaner, the first time it 'cleans' it's like my PC was sent flying! And surely I'm avoiding to use it regularly, but that's only my personal experience though.

This post has been edited by Hoop: 06 November 2010 - 04:12 PM

[crazy4laptops]

I would say CCleaner over any registry cleaner... Sure yes they do clean out old and bad keys, but its not 100% perfect...

I no longer recommend RegCleaners of any kind. The risk is too great for a minimal performance enhancement.

[Vesta1234]

LincolnSpector, on 03 November 2010 - 07:56 AM, said:

Hi, Vesta, and welcome to the forums.

What PC World article recommended these programs?

Lincoln

Via Email from PC World.

[Vesta1234]

Thanks for the replies, I think I will take Techie4Fun advice and just wipe the harddrive.
Oh joyous task for the Christmas break