Use with caution!!! For the registry, click on the "issues" tab and uncheck most of the selections and then run the scan. It won't remove anything until you check the boxes. Be very careful here as there is no backup that I could find (see edit). The windows tab has lots of cleanups for temp files, etc.
Edit:
Yes it has a backup for registry changes. Still be cautious.
RobinHood
Be careful using any registry cleaner unless you really know what you're doing.
Assuming you do, be smart/safe and before you do anything else, run regedit and click
file>export to create a backup copy of your current registry. Put that copy in a SAFE place. If something goes wrong with your cleaning efforts, run regedit again, assuming your PC will still boot, and click file>import and select that backup copy.
As the other post said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
I went to the link you sent me and I was looking at all the different Registry Cleaners. From what I understand, they clean the Registry automatically. Is it safe to say that it isn't safe to let any type of these programs clean the registry automatically? They all claim to do a great job. I did run a free scan with one of the programs. It was PAL Registry Cleaner. I haven't tried CC Cleaner yet. The scan didn't fix anything, you have to pay for the program first, it only scans the hard drive and gives you the results, then after you pay, it cleans the registry. I just ran the free scan. It came up with files like:
Volume Volume DebugDLL
Lots of other files too. Do these files need to be deleted? According to this software program, if these files aren't removed, they will cause problems. However, not really knowing what to do, I did nothing. As least not yet. Just wanted to know what you thought. I'll try CC Cleaner tomorrow.
When you select the "issues" tab, that brings up the registry cleaner. After you run the scan and check any of the boxes, and then click 'fix', it asks if you want to save a backup. You have to give it a name and a folder to save it in. It will have a .reg file extension. It's best not to remove anything you're not sure of. If you want to try it, select one item that is fairly safe to remove, like an 'obsolete software' entry. You can then restore it by finding the .reg file that you just saved and right-click it and select 'merge'. That will put it back in the registry. There is no backup for the other two tabs, that's why I'd uncheck everything except 'temporary internet files' on the windows tab for starters. Once it removes them, they're gone.
Ok, I understand what you are saying now. I'll be very careful when I use it. These programs claim to "clean" the registry" automatically, and it would be great if it were true, but I don't want files to get deleted that are suppose to be there. Last thing I want to do is reinstall Windows and all my programs again.
chuket
1.4K Posts
0
January 9th, 2005 00:00
You said it all in your last sentence. Basically, if it ain't broke don't fix it. However this freeware program is a really good cleaner:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Use with caution!!! For the registry, click on the "issues" tab and uncheck most of the selections and then run the scan. It won't remove anything until you check the boxes. Be very careful here as there is no backup that I could find (see edit). The windows tab has lots of cleanups for temp files, etc.
Message Edited by chuket on 01-09-2005 12:49 AM
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
January 9th, 2005 02:00
Be careful using any registry cleaner unless you really know what you're doing.
Assuming you do, be smart/safe and before you do anything else, run regedit and click
file>export to create a backup copy of your current registry. Put that copy in a SAFE place. If something goes wrong with your cleaning efforts, run regedit again, assuming your PC will still boot, and click file>import and select that backup copy.
As the other post said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Ron
msgale
2 Intern
•
2.5K Posts
0
January 9th, 2005 02:00
robinhood42
2 Intern
•
1.2K Posts
0
January 10th, 2005 04:00
chuket,
I went to the link you sent me and I was looking at all the different Registry Cleaners. From what I understand, they clean the Registry automatically. Is it safe to say that it isn't safe to let any type of these programs clean the registry automatically? They all claim to do a great job. I did run a free scan with one of the programs. It was PAL Registry Cleaner. I haven't tried CC Cleaner yet. The scan didn't fix anything, you have to pay for the program first, it only scans the hard drive and gives you the results, then after you pay, it cleans the registry. I just ran the free scan. It came up with files like:
Volume Volume DebugDLL
Lots of other files too. Do these files need to be deleted? According to this software program, if these files aren't removed, they will cause problems. However, not really knowing what to do, I did nothing. As least not yet. Just wanted to know what you thought. I'll try CC Cleaner tomorrow.
Robin
robinhood42
2 Intern
•
1.2K Posts
0
January 10th, 2005 04:00
chuket,
I downloaded CCleaner, but haven't found the backup option yet.
Robin
chuket
1.4K Posts
0
January 10th, 2005 12:00
robinhood42
When you select the "issues" tab, that brings up the registry cleaner. After you run the scan and check any of the boxes, and then click 'fix', it asks if you want to save a backup. You have to give it a name and a folder to save it in. It will have a .reg file extension. It's best not to remove anything you're not sure of. If you want to try it, select one item that is fairly safe to remove, like an 'obsolete software' entry. You can then restore it by finding the .reg file that you just saved and right-click it and select 'merge'. That will put it back in the registry. There is no backup for the other two tabs, that's why I'd uncheck everything except 'temporary internet files' on the windows tab for starters. Once it removes them, they're gone.
robinhood42
2 Intern
•
1.2K Posts
0
January 10th, 2005 12:00
chuket,
Ok, I understand what you are saying now. I'll be very careful when I use it. These programs claim to "clean" the registry" automatically, and it would be great if it were true, but I don't want files to get deleted that are suppose to be there. Last thing I want to do is reinstall Windows and all my programs again.