reinstall

Hello

Thankfully I have no issues with my pcs, however, I looked at the clutter(about 3 pages) Ccleaner found when analyzed and wondered if I should reinstall.

 

I have the Win 8.1 disc with the Win 8 product key. I would use the generic key to clean install and the 8 key to activate, then activate the media center.

 

There is an argument that if you are having no problems to leave well enough alone.

 

However, after years of use perhaps the machine could use some house cleaning.

 

I understand subjectivity but with time. new OS's are developed and are treated differently.

 

Peter

TBH it's as you heard IMO, "if it ain't broke…" so there is no need for such a drastic action, ALL systems get clutter\junk files, it goes with the nature of how it works, this is precisely why there are programs like CCleaner, it's good practice to run such programs (make sure they are trusted ones though) every so often, I personally run it every day as I shut down, others may say once a week is enough, either way simply running such a program on a regular basis is as extreme as you need to be (as long as there are no problems), hope this helps.

It does but I am curious whether you use the cleaner itself or just windows and applications to the side?
I would be reluctant to use the cleaner because so much time has elapsed and I am not sure what I am removing. It would be different if I started clean but three pages is hard to wade through.

TBH the cleaner does not touch any of your physical files you have created\saved, and this one is possibly the most recommended cleaner out there, all this cleaner removes is the junk and temp files you don't see, and it also empty's your Recycle Bin as well, so the only possible risk you have is if you have deleted something, then change your mind and want it back (but if this concerns you then uncheck that option, otherwise leave it at the defaults), which would be a rare thing for most people, if I delete something then it's done with, if I am unsure I leave it where it is, simple.

 

Now you can specify for the most part what it does clean, I always use the default settings, and have never had a problem since I started using it many many years ago, well I have had 1 issue, but not with cleaning the junk, it was with the Registry part of it, this was way back when I first started using it, I had to reinstall, but since then I follow the guide of don't touch the registry full stop, but as a cleaner it's a great program.

 

The biggest thing you may notice is if you use cookies to stay logged into sites like this, this (and pretty much any cleaner AFAIK) will remove these, so you will need to login again each time after you use it, the good news is if this matters to you, then you can tell it to save the cookies you need, this is easiest done by going to the site(s) while not logged in, run the cleaner and close it (this removes the redundant entries that will only confuse the situation), log into the site touching nothing else.

 

Then launch the cleaner again, then click on the Advanced tab on the left, then select Cookies, you will see x number of cookies listed, highlight them and move them over to the Protected side using the arrows (do the reverse to remove it if needed), repeat for each site as needed, it may sound a bit of a chore, but you only need to do it the once for each site, and add future sites as you may need, from then on you can clear the junk without having to loose your login being save.

Unspoken words can be misleading; so you do or do not use the full cleaner or the Windows feature on the right side near apps?

From your message I gather you use the full cleaner.

Except for one instance you have never had trouble?

That is amazing as there are so many entries in a registry. I know you said it skimmed +not deeply but it seems incredible .

I am glad for you but I am leery of any cleaners.

So 'full' or just 'Windows'?

Your question confuses me.  The Windows and Applications tab are settings for when you click analyze.

No problems at all, the only time I had a problem was using the Registry section of it, the ONLY thing you should do with this is launch it, press the Clean button on the bottom right, then close it, that's it, it does a great job using the default settings, the time you are likely to get problems is changing the settings, not unless you know what your doing.

 

I compare this to the wife's cleaning, when talking about changing any settings with this (unless as I said you know what your doing), she has allergy's, dust being among them, so I compare her need to remove all dust, to your need for cleaning every little bit of junk out, it ain't going to happen, by the way nature works it is constantly building it up no matter how much you try, to get it that clean your looking for Surgical Sterile, but the best you can do is keep it clean, and that's what this does, and it does it very well.

 

So launch, run, close, job done, the ONLY change I make to it is saving the cookies to keep me logged into sites, as I described above, and for my technophobe mates I also set it to auto close the program when done, so they can run the cleaner in 2 clicks, I leave the rest well alone, hope this helps you figure out what your trying to do, I would not use windows to do anything, well maybe to clean up restore points if the need arose, I just use programs such as this, and it is all you need.

Peter, you have good image backups, right?

When you use CCleaner registry cleaner, let it save the registry data it's going to remove.

 

That way if anything goes wrong, restore the deleted registry data and you should be right back where you started. Worst case, restore the backup image.

@Rich - That is an idea I had not considered; I'll do so it after I get a couple of replies so I know I am pressing the right button. You are aggressive  suggesting I use the registry cleaner. If I remember correctly you are given the option to save the registry when you clean the Registry itself not the Cleaner. . I can set a restore point in any case with system restore, correct?

 

@Allen + Tom = I had uninstalled Ccleaner so was trying to recall its set up from memory which failed me.

I saw the Ccleaner video which showed the set up  and can better ask my original question.

 

There is "Cleaner" on the  top right

There is "Registry" under it

 

To the right = both Windows' and 'Applications'.

 

After reading the thread, I think you, Allen, run the Cleaner and not Registry You do not mention Windows or Applications so I assume you do not use them.

 

I am very sorry for the incorrect question which led to unnecessary confusion amnd look forward to hearing from you all.

Peter

 

That's right I touch nothing to do with settings (apart from those I mentioned above), nor do I use anything except the cleaner itself, many others do, and think nothing of it, more so if your as advanced as Ztruker, as he has a far greater insight and experience than many of us (myself included), so can easily recover if anything went wrong, which as he has pointed out you should be able too as well with your backup's, but personally I don't trust any software with my registry, I just Launch it, Run it, and Close it, nothing more, but others will have their way of working as well.

Peter, I thought your question pertained to using CCleaner registry cleaner. If it was about just using CCLeaner file cleanup then I'm not sure what your question is.

 

I run CCleaner every night before I shutdown the computer. I uncheck lots of stuff I don't want touched.

 

📎CCleaner1.jpg

 

📎CCleaner2.jpg

@ Alan - sorry about the misspelling and the rest applies to you also.

 

@ Rich/Alan- What my hard head is not getting is the feature you use with Ccleaner.

 

 

Is it just the part that says [Cleaner] or [Windows and applications] or [the registry]?

 

Sorry to pester but I want to be sure I click the right button.

 

What is good to uncheck?

Unless you have the willingness and ability to rebuild the registry, then I suggest you leave all registry cleaners alone. CCleaner does make a backup, which makes it better than 99% of these types of programs out there… but consider this - what "problems" will a "dirty" registry cause you?  What the registry cleaner is mainly doing is cleaning out orphaned entries.  These entries take up microscopic amounts of memory, but they will not actually cause you any harm.  However, if entries should get removed incorrectly, the registry can get scrambled and then you have a borked system.  To me… any potential benefit is exponentially outweighed by the risk.

Thank you for the pictures as to what to check.

That is just for me. Your needs may be different.

 

Basically I don't want anything except the download cache for browsers deleted (temp internet files). SOme people want all the other stuff deleted as well, cookies, history, passwords, etc.

I don't want any of the Windows Explorer areas deleted.

I don't want any of the Microsoft Office areas deleted.

I don't want memory dumps or MS Log files deleted, they are needed for problem debug.