Which freewares provide the best in cleaning registry (WinMe)? and why?

Is it wise to install the top 3 freewares and let them clean the registry individually?

How would you rate the following freeware?
regclean 4.1
regcleaner
easy cleaner
jv16 powertools
other suggestions?

regcleaner.exe is my personal favorite.
Its freeware, never caused instability and is easy to navigate thru.

I use RegCleaner 4.3. Very comprehensive
and factual. Appreciate the back up feature for what's been deleted recently.

regcleaner is the way to go.

We’re talking apples and bananas here.

RegClean and RegCleaner do different things, and work differently as these descriptions from Winguides indicate. I use RegClean VERY often; I use RegCleaner rarely, but when you need it you REALLY need it. I had Norton System works 2001 and uninstalled it so I could install 2002. I couldn’t until I used RegCleaner.

RegClean is totally automated with no user choices. RegCleaner is totally manual; you have to decide if and what programs you want to remove from the Registry.

RegClean analyzes Windows Registry keys stored in a common location in the Windows Registry. It finds keys that contain erroneous values, and after recording those entries in the Undo.Reg file, it removes them from the Windows Registry. Windows 9x/NT

With RegCleaner you can easily remove old and obsolete registry entries left behind after software has been uninstalled. All Versions

http://www.winguides.com/downloads.php?guide=registry
http://www.computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/20472.html

Used all one time or another. Powertools and EasyCleaner have removal of duplicate files
function. Tendency of mine to download small programs.

A comment is that I found EasyCleaner found some essential entries listed for deletion, necessary for Win Me Help - and a couple of times had to go it's backup file to get them back. Thank goodness.

Another comment is that I found sometimes the removal or uninstall of software by both Regcleaner and Powertools inefficient. Hope this is helpful. So my ratings are in the order you've listed them. I found the first two adequate for my needs.

The best: regcleaner.exe

In case my prior post was not clear: get both.

RegClean automatically finds and remove keys with incorrect values.

RegCleaner displays a list of software the registry thinks is still installed on your system and allows you to remove references to software that has already been uninstalled. Of course it will also let you remove references to software that's still on you system. RegCleaner does NOT find erroneous keys.

The RegClean or RegCleaner question is like "do you want a sports car or a Mack truck?" The answer is "Yes!"

Still not sure? Try them both.

Another good prog is System Mechanic (iolo.com). It cleans the registry (never had a single prob after using regular for 3 years), makes back up of changes, finds dup files, fixes and/or removes broken shortcuts.
Slick little utility.

I like System Mechanic also. But it's $60.

Always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question.
_e e cummings

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Is the Registry tool in jv16 Powertools the same as or an upgrade of Regcleaner?

jv16 Powertools incorporates all of RegCleaner 4.3 and more.

I used to run RegCleaner 4.3 along side Microsofts RegClean.

The first time I ran jv16 Powertools was directly after cleaning with RegCleaner 4.3 and RegClean. This program found over 100 obsolete entries after cleaning with the above.

It also found fragments of old programs I had removed months previous, that I thought had already been cleaned.

RegCleaner 4.3 is one of the best cleaners available, but jv16 Powertools is much better.

It was produced to replace RegCleaner 4.3.

Thanks everyone for the tips. I took your suggestions and downloaded regcleaner and jv16 powertool.
Upon running the registry cleaner, The 'Software' listed 20 programs and they all looked worthy to NOT delete. Do I trust the regcleaner and remove them? 'Startup List' produced 17 programs; is it OK to remove them all? Both 'File Types' and 'Shell Extention' showed a PAGE FULL; Do I select them all to be removed? I'm a novice in all this, so I don't really know what is safe to delete.

Please advice

Bsased on Les' response #11, I went to the site.

I'm sure it works on discovering what it's looking for, but as m nava says (and a lot of the posts on the jv16 forum indicate) you can easily delete files you shouldn't. Looks scarey to me.

In System Mechanic, it's search for 0 byte files excludes files in use. I never had a problem with anything that was deleted with MS RegClean or System Mechanic.

If you Know What to delete jv16 Powertools is good at its job.

If you do not know what to delete leave alone, you should not be using programs like this as you can do a lot of damage.

I am no expert, I leave alone if I do not recognise.

However, I have never had a problem with the registry clean up side, so far I have removed everything recommended.

I am more cautious of the removing Software side of things.

Generally I just use the Add Remove in Windows to remove unwanted software. Use jv16 Powertools if the Add Remove can not do the job, i.e, the uninstaller not working or if you have fragments due to manual uninstall or bad installation.

I run these programs from time to time just for general clean up and they do a good job.

I agree with you RM, i've had powertools for a while now, BUT still use RegCleaner 4.3 and MS Reg Clean and am happy with it's results.

Les is right powertools does unearth a lot more stuff, but then again so does Nortons cleansweep and Winclean 2000 both of which I have used before ....and before I knew better. Incidentally neither ever caused me a problem ....I knew about anyway :)

"Before I knew better", I mean - with the two I use now, I can now figure out what is happening and more importantly WHY.

I will begin to use powertools when i'm fully comfortable with what's going on.

And Les, I did see your original post about powertools a month or two back....and checked it out off of the back of it, so thanks. I might get Brave like you one day :):)

NO doubt that all WOULD be well if used but now I get peeved if I don't know what's going on(ISH).

Viking

...And I didn't see 14...you sneaked it in !
:)

Good post but where can I get MS RegClean --and how come my searches all say it is not to be used with WinME??

Download RegClean here

Comments on RegClean & ME

Thanks R-M I got it.

I use RegCleaner.
Regclean, after 2 runs, knackered my system.
I ran DX8. found loads of Errors in reg..
Replaced them,rebooted.. all Ok.
I hate regClean... Doesnt even have an uninstall, very slack..
My Me has been fine for 4 months using regcleaner. Give regclean a miss.. Horrid.
Col

RegClean DOES allow you to undo ANY cleanup.

RTFM!

I NEVER had to undo a RegClean cleanup.

Hi Ren,
RegClean was Ok for a while.. Til i checked DirectX 8.. reg probs in DX 8.OK after i reinstalled files i removed.. or rather Reg removed..
So sorry for the misunderstanding with the
defrag.. Col

m nava : although you've said you've made up your mind, may I suggest you use RegCleaner and MSRegClean initially. PowerToys is an advancement of RegCleaner - and as Jouni says on his webpage, it can shoot you in the foot if used incorrectly.

The reasons why I've suggested the two are clearly explained in RM's post here #7. I also just used these two and it seems many others too.

As far as software is concerned, this lists what software you've downloaded and is what you are likely to use on your computer. Don't delete these at all on your PowerToys program. As already mentioned in above posts, if you need to remove any, go to Control Panel, Add/Remove to remove any.

At any rate, whatever you do, always always never delete your Backups until you're sure that your computer is working well over a period.
Keep them there for a time. They're your safety net, so to speak. OK?

Sorry, Col--

I misunderstood your "uninstall" comment in response #20. I was thinking (probably not thinking!) that you meant that you couldn't undo registry changes.

Even though there's no uninstall program to remove the RegClean program, I don't think it needs one. RegClean as far as I know is a stand-alone single .exe file (plus a read me file).

To uninstall it, all you have to do is delete the folder it's in. That gets rid of RegClean, the Read Me.txt file and any Registry Undo files. (RegClean should be in it's own folder because the Undo files are kept in whatever folder RegClean resides.)

Curious thing: if you use RegCleaner or jv16 Power Tools it doesn't list one single Microsoft program under "Installed Software"!

Hi Ren,
Thats fine, as i misread one of your posts !! It happens... Take care. Col

RM,I think there is an option to view hidden programs in reg cleaner.That may show microsoft programs.

RegClean is not hidden.

Windows ME?
FORMAT C:!

Not the regclean program.You mentioned microsoft programs were hidden.In the regcleaner program you can choose to view hidden programs.

Robert, i've tried that and it made NO difference ! (on mine)
However, there is mention on their site that you should use +/- programs in windows to remove programs - So I did - uninstalled worksuite.
Then ran regcleaner and looked at the remnants of worksuite which were there - so I got rid ...and reinstalled ws.

Point still remains ms products aren't listed
in installed software....It just seems to detect the leftovers after you've removed an ms product.

Anybody shed anymore light ??

Viking

Based on posts on this thread I downloaded jv16 Power Tools. BTW, the registry cleaner is located under the “Tools” drop down menu after you click on “Registry Tool” on the first screen. (Shouldn’t it have it’s own tab?) Under “Tools” there is also “Reset hardware configuration.” I clicked on it. It said something like “This resets the hardware configuration. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” with Yes and No buttons. I knew damned well I did not want to reset my hardware configuration, so I clicked on the X (in the upper right hand corner) to get out of there fast. Guess what! It reset my hardware configuration. What a mess! After reinstalling tons of stuff, my internet connection still did not work, and I had no sound!

I have long ago disabled PC Health and System Restore. (Please, please, no comments.) But I did know that ScanReg makes backup copies of the registry every day. So I entered “Scanreg /restore,” clicked on yesterday’s date, and presto! I’m back in business.

I’m neither a newbie nor an expert, but if you consider yourself an “expert” (whatever that means), that does NOT mean that you know if a software developer follows standard conventions. (Doesn’t clicking on the X [close button] normally exit without doing anything?)

Use jv16 Power Tools with CAUTION and AT YOUR OWN RISK!
========================================

I'm sitting here killing myself with Laughter
RM.
I did EXACTLY what you did, and I mean EXACTLY ! That's one HELL of a bug on the configuration option. You want to get out, press the big X, and it DAMN well does it anyway !!
I wasn't as lucky as you - my restore simply would not complete a full roll back. Tried scanreg /restore - no joy.
Fortunately ?? I can get my system up and running from scratch and configured the way I like (Tweaks), in around 2 and a bit hrs, with programs on and runnin - It's only those cursed updates that take the time.

LOL - SO Again, use at your own RISK - LOL

AS far as I know the same feature is on 4.3 and it may well be exactly the same...With Exactly the same bug ??
I've not put it back on yet to check. ;)

Viking

I'm glad you found some humor in that. I didn't think it was so funny. But I guess it's nice to know you have company.

All the rest of those viewing this thread BEWARE! (I hope you scrolled down this far!)

Why did my scanreg /restore work and yours didn't, Viking? Anybody?

If I didn't laugh I seriously would have cried. I got that disgusting sinking feeling when it happened, so I left the machine alone over night and breezed through a clean install at 6.30 am this morn.

As for scanreg /restore that is a puzzler ?
I know sys restore is some what arbitary at times, but was banking on scanreg to fix this.
So the very first thing I did on this "new" install was check it and check it again - I have thoroughly played with it and it works !!! - Rest assured I'll be monitoring it like a hawk from now on.

About the bug. I think I'll drop the site a line about it - Because it's bloody lethal.
Even though the guy is in the army now, so no fix will be upcoming, It's worth a note to others, I think.

No answers on scanreg though ?

Viking

Christ, sorry Renaissance Man, Viking.

I have been telling everyone how good it is, but then I have only used it for the simple registry clean and removing some remnants of old programs.

You guys are more experienced than me when it comes to computers, so I guess I will not take it granted anymore. I will be more cautious with it from now on.

And I reckon thats what it should be used for Les !

Lol - Les, It's not your fault and I still believe it to be an excellent free cleaner. It's just when you delve or stray from the what it's main forte is, there is that one serious flaw. (?)
I for one will still be using it.
But even more sparingly than before. And I won't be pressing every option to see what it does - because if there's one fault on that particular box, how do I know there aint another fault in other menu boxes ?
Again use with extreme caution. Certainly NO gaurantees with freeware.
Chin up Les :)

Viking

I agree, it's the fault of the program, not Les's for recommending it.

I've since removed Power Tools, but I still have RegGleaner.

This probably should go on another thread, but responses 31 & 32 raise questions and problems re: "Scanreg /restore" and "System Restore." I have seen many posts lately with subjects like "cannot create restore points" and "system restore doesn't work."

If all this stuff is running in the background and taking up hard disk space, what good is it if it doesn't work when you need it?

Absolutely same sentiments ! Btw, RM, did you check if the same feature IS there on RegCleaner ? Can't remember and haven't got it on yet....darn updates.

Whoops! The same "feature" (do we REALLY need that?) is in RegClean, but I never even knew it! I never even knew RegCleaner had a "Registry CleanUp." (Duh!) I just used RegCleaner to clean up remnants of uninstalled programs.

OK: let's get some posts on Scanreg vis-a-vis System Restore going here! Or someone start a new thread, and we'll continue it there. If anyone starts a new thread, please post back here so we know where to go.

Thanks!

Desde siempre lo uso!!! Es el mejor para mi.
RegCleaner 4.3.0.780 . Esta es la última versión disponible.
Una joyita... Lo recomiendo a todos.
Un abrazo grande desde la República Argentina... o lo que queda de ella.
:(