Does "cleaning" the registry for bad keys really speed up Windows?

[imported_Stew]

I was just wondering if using any registry cleaning apps was even worth the time.

I mean, if Windows doesn't access the keys, it won't make a difference, right?

 

[Skeeedunt]

The only difference will be whether or not your computer still works afterwards.

 

[agathodaimon]

I've been using Crap Cleaner for a while, and it works fine.
Never have I used it on a messy hard drive and had it magically "speed up" though.

 

[mshan]

I use RegScrub XP and it seems benign in that I haven't yet totally screwed up my system.

That being said, I agree with the above that I really haven't ever been to detect any increase in system speed / responsiveness.

 

[Hyperlite]

yeah i use CCleaner pretty regularly, and though i have never detected a speed increase, it has solved some problems from lingering installs of stuff.

 

[Agentbolt]

In certain situations it will. Not sure what OS you're using, but I've had issues with the AutoComplete registry being corrupted and KILLING my system speed. Cleaning the offending files out fixed the issue.

 

[Newfie]

Whenever I used a registry cleaner I failed to notice any kind of performance improvement. I don't really bother anymore. Every few months I may clean the registry for the hell of it.

 

[Imyourzero]

I know this isn't the software forum, but while we're at it why not suggest some of the BEST reg cleaning utilities that truly do get rid of old junk entries while keeping everything that's needed intact? The only ones I've used are TweakNow RegCleaner Standard and CCleaner. I didn't really notice a speed increase after using either of them, but at least they didn't hose my systems.

 

[amdskip]

As far as I know CCleaner isn't all that much of a registry cleaner. The only time I'll seek out a registry cleaner is after I clean up a badly infected spyware computer. Otherwise I don't touch/worry about it.

 

[taltamir]

the only way to get performance boost is to "clean" the registry by reformatting your drive and reinstalling a clean copy.. the problem isn't really obsolete registry entries, its crap thats NOT obsolete (but no longer wanted by you) thats bogging things down...

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: Stew
I was just wondering if using any registry cleaning apps was even worth the time.

I mean, if Windows doesn't access the keys, it won't make a difference, right?

The only thing I change in my registry is the start up items.

 

[Jiggz]

I use EasyCleaner by Toniarts. Simple and fast. I do regcleaning more for stability rather than speed.

 

[eplebnista]

Does "cleaning" the registry for bad keys really speed up Windows?

98se it did, buy not so much for xp.

 

[secretanchitman]

the registry cleaner in tuneup utilities 2007 works fine for me.

 

[IdaGno]

Originally posted by: Jiggz
I use EasyCleaner by Toniarts. Simple and fast. I do regcleaning more for stability rather than speed.

Ditto re Toniarts. Have used that w/impunity for nearly a decade now. Also use CC.

Still, the best reg cleaner remains regedit & a manual run thru of the registry following deletion of any program. Amazing & depressing what gets left behind.

 

[bigsnyder]

The regcleaner in the Fix-It Utilities package has treated me well. I have the original '99 version and v4.0.
The biggest improvement I saw was boot up speed stability. Overall performance only saw a minor improvement.
Like someone else said, win98 received bigger improvements over XP. The other tool included in Fix-It Utilities
was the registry defrag. Not exactly sure what it does, but it helped as well. I have no experience with the newest
version (v7?).

C Snyder

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
The only difference will be whether or not your computer still works afterwards.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I used one and the only fix was a reformat of Windows. Removed stuff I had no clue how to fix/put back in.

I've installed many programs...legit ones, but many programs nonetheless. Haven't had much of a slowdown.

The real thing that slows your computer down is the hotfixes. Something like 10% speed difference between a brand new install and a SP2 Hotfixed install. Anand did a performance review of this once.

 

[Boyo]

I use Registry Mechanic for all of my registry problems, but I never see an increase in speed.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Pale Rider

Originally posted by: Stew
I was just wondering if using any registry cleaning apps was even worth the time.

I mean, if Windows doesn't access the keys, it won't make a difference, right?

The only thing I change in my registry is the start up items.

Speaking of which, what program do you use to adjust start up items? I used to have one that just let you check stuff off but I can't remember what it was. I've had a perpetual problem getting any Creative consoles loaded up and they never seem to install right the first time or correct themselves with reinstalls. Idk, Creative drivers really scare me if its anything other than an install onto a fresh OS install.

 

[Roguestar]

I just use msconfig.exe to keep stuff out of my startup. :thumbsup:

 

[Craig234]

As I use my years-old Win XP, it sometimes hangs for seconds (mouse cursor frozen etc.)

 

[Noema]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
I just use msconfig.exe to keep stuff out of my startup. :thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

 

[mancunian]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux
I used one and the only fix was a reformat of Windows. Removed stuff I had no clue how to fix/put back in.

The way to fix it would have been to back up your registry before carrying out such measures.

Before I do anything with regedit (I don't use 3rd party apps for this type of thing), I always make a backup.

 

[StopSign]

Originally posted by: Noema

Originally posted by: Roguestar
I just use msconfig.exe to keep stuff out of my startup. :thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

 

[Oyeve]

I use to use regcleaner, but the last few times I used it Roxio DVD burner would crap out. Took me awhile to figure out regcleaner fubared my Roxio. Took weeks on reinstalling roxio to get to figure out it was regcleaner that messed it up. I stopped using registry cleaners.