Updated March 29,, 2008

Please read through this entire thread (3 pages) before deciding to "cleanup and optimize" the registry. I think it's important to keep the registry clean and optimized, but you'll read that the use of registry cleaners is not recommended!

So after reading the complete thread and you still decide to "cleanup and optimize" the registry...... here's how I suggest you safely accomplish that.

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Before doing any modification to the registry it's important to back it up first, I suggest you use ERUNT to do that.
You can find information on ERUNT and NTREGOPT HERE, please read through it.
(WIN98 and ME users....the registry is automatically backed up...no need to install ERUNT)

Also.......please make sure you have a good system restore point created even if you have to create one now. System Restore

Please download and install ERUNT using This Link.

During the installation process you'll be asked if you what to put erunt.exe in your Startup Folder........click NO, there's no need to backup the registry every time you start Windows.....just create a new backup when ever you make any changes to your computer.

After installation is complete you should see two new icons on your desktop, ERUNT and NTREGOPT.
Double click on ERUNT to backup the registry.
The registry backup will be stored in C:\Windows\ERUNT.

To restore the registry open up the folder containing the backup and double click on erdnt.exe
(WIN98 and ME users.....check HERE on how to restore a copy of the registry)

HERE'S a good tutorial on the registry and using ERUNT, I also suggest you Print this out and save it for future use if needed.

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Here's how to clean-up and optimize the registry:

RegCleaner Download Now! (540KB) Jouni Vuoro Software

Description: RegCleaner is an easy to use program. With RegCleaner you can easily get rid of those old and obsolete registry entries created by software that you have destroyed ages ago. And by easily, I mean easily. You don´t have to be any expert to use this program.
(Works with: Win 9x, Win ME, Win NT, Win 2k, Win XP)


Here's how it goes:

• Download and install it.
• After it's installed.....Click on the RegCleaner.exe
• Go to Tools (at the top) > Registry Cleanup > Do Them All
• After it's done.....Then 'Select' (at top left) > choose ALL
  "Remove Selected" (at bottom right) This will remove the entries.
• A backup of all that was removed will be made, just choose 'Backups' (top right) to view and restore them if needed

Direct download:
Here
AlsoHere

To uninstall RegCleaner.......Look in your Programs Folder for the RegCleaner folder...open it up and double click on the uninstall.exe.

Now that you have cleaned up the registry...it can be Optimized.
To optimize the registry just double click on the desktop icon NTREGOPT.
(WIN98 and ME users....this is not necessary as it's done every time you start Windows)

Good Luck, MrC

This post has been edited by MrCharlie: Jul 2 2008, 03:45 PM

Thanks MrC

Use ccleaner its much better.

I use them both. Regcleaner finds what EasyCleaner doesn't.

Mr Charlie downloaded regcleaner just to see if CCleaner had been missing anything. Big mistake! RegCleaner install kept getting hung up and I got an error message, tried again. destop icon link was bad. Did a search and found the program. I ran it and then decided to uninstall. Clicked on the uninstall icon and it seemed to remove oned of the two downloads. The other program which must have partially loaded as it did not have an uninstall icon and refuses to leave saying I don't have permission! I checked my startup programs and found both RegCleaner programs installed! Tried to shut down the computer and RegCleaner end program window came up, but was refused all efforts to end program. Tried the add remove programs RegCleaner not listed....... How do I get rid of this problematic (for my computer) program?

Windows XP media edition SP2
Thanks

This post has been edited by UH1charlie: Aug 30 2005, 07:32 AM

@MrCharlie...........Thanks it works great!

Is this the same programmer that did JV16, when it was freeware? It was developed by a person by the name Jouni, I think? I lost track of his work once it was purchased by Macecraft Software.

I really like JV16, but I like learning about new programs. I install and test about 30-40 new programs every month. I will check out your reg-cleaner 4.3 anyway.

Thanks for the link.

RegCleaner is one of the classic "good" freeware programs. But I'm not sure why this site is now offering it as a current "download of the week"? The file you download is version 43.780, which was discontinued in about 2001.

To answer your question, yes this is the same author who then coded JV16 PowerTools (which has now gone shareware). The newer program, JV16 PowerTools, is much more complete -- and much better suited for the later operating systems (WinXP).

But, as with many really great programs, they came out with a "crippled" free version, and then went shareware.

You can still get the last available "truly freeware" version though.

Last Freeware Version (321download.com)

Direct Download v 13.0.195 (2.09 MB)

I use CCleaner and RegSupreme Pro (from Macecraft Software). They get the job done very well. Will give Reg Cleaner a try. Thanks for all of your comments.

navman

This post has been edited by navman: Sep 22 2005, 09:04 AM

this is as good as ccleaner

http://www.stevengould.org/software/cleanup/

CleanUp is not used correctly has been known to remove critical operational files and we generally do not suggest it here.

thanks for this, seems to do the trick!

Is there any difference between RegCleaner and CCleaner in terms of functionality? I'm a regular user of CCleaner so i would like to try RegCleaner.

I'll use brindle's words as mine.

ccleaner is awesome and has complete stability that anyone can trust and never crashes.

This post has been edited by MrCharlie: Jun 3 2007, 03:09 PM