Install Monitor, Registry cleaner

[WaiWai]

1. Is there any "installation monitor" which can:
- monitor the installation process of an application
- record the change made in the installation
- enable me to undo all the changes (made in the installation) when necessary

2. Is there any "registry cleaner" which can:
- clean any abandoned/useless registry left by uninstalled software
- detect and fix erred registry

Thanks.

 

[Sianath]

Registry errors come in two flavors.

Bad settings and actual errors. A bad setting isn't something a tool can fix, because there is no way for a tool to know what the registry setting is supposed to be for a given application (because only that application defines and uses their settings).

Errors in registry keys (corrupt data, bad cells, etc) are repaired automatically starting with XP SP1. There is a resource kit tool called chkreg that can do it for you as well.

I've heard there are some uninstall applications that if installed prior to installing an application will monitor what you are asking for with your first question, but I don't have any experience with them so I can't recommend one.

 

[godmare]

System mechanic is a great utility, but the install monitor doesn't do everything you want.
It logs all changes made during an installation, but changes have to be made manually. I was actually really dissapointed when I discovered that. Otherwise, though, it's excellent.