Registry Cleaning

meebers said:

I use CCleaner on all my machines. No problems so far (knock, knock) but I always save the registry and do an image immediately before, same as updates, new programs etc.

I only do an image about once a month. Usually after the latest round of Windows updates. Yes, I said after, not before. I only image so I won't have to do updates over again. I use AOMEI Backupper since the built in Windows tool once again is terrible. The programs provided , like IE and Media Player are great and I use them as defaults, but the maintenance tools stink.

I made an image on 8.1 before upgrading to 10 but I'm about to delete it and do one of 10 now before the SR1 Win 10 update just in case. I have had no problems with 10 so there's no need to keep the 8.1 image.

I also keep System Restore turned off for all drives since I have never had to use it either and it just takes up space that can't be defragmented by Puran.

Cliff S said:

Ok..? I just wanted to know. I've tested just about all the cleaning tools defraggers, optimizers on a live machine using an old 350GB spinner. After creating a system image and reimaging(to create an unfragmented starting point) I installed and uninstalled 4 large programs, then from an external hard drive moved music and photo files around then reinstalled the programs(I always keep the latest installers for repair installs) and got 25%$ fragmentation and tons of invalid registry entries. I then proceeded to turn windows defragmenter off and pick a tool(Ccleaner & defraggler, IOBIT, Wise, Puran,...etc) and use it, checking boot times in event viewer(no 3rd party) for about 2 weeks- I then compared averages, and in almost all cases it's only a placebo effect, when comparing against windows built in tools, being run regularly. Some even caused serious instability(specially the boot time defraggers and reg cleaners). If one decides he must use these tools; my only recommendation is, to use "simple settings" and not the "advanced".

These tools do have their uses, don't get me wrong. For example I needed a 3rd party portable defragger(for me IOBITs was the fastest and most thorough) to defrag in Safe Mode(which isn't possible with windows own), so I could create a system image small enough to image from a 350GB HDD to a 128GB SSD. I just don't recommend them for regular maintenance. But this is just my experience and opinion YMMV:)

Like I said, the benefits for each individual instance of cleaning and defragging may be very small, but the cumulative benefits do stack up. Your registry loads into memory at every boot. Keeping it smaller has to make that loading go faster. It just makes sense.

I have never heard of Puran. Open Source?

I have also never used a registry cleaning utility of any sort. The mere thought of doing that automatically kind of freaks me out.

Inundated said:

I have never heard of Puran. Open Source?

I have also never used a registry cleaning utility of any sort. The mere thought of doing that automatically kind of freaks me out.

Puran is not open source ( personally I don't care for most open source stuff except for 7-Zip). It is provided by Puran Software and is completely free. The software is put out by the well respected Windows guru, Vishal Gupta, who is responsible for coming up with many of the Windows tweaks and fixes that are available (Ask VG). The guy seems to be a genius.

Dch48 said:

Puran is not open source ( personally I don't care for most open source stuff except for 7-Zip). It is provided by Puran Software and is completely free. The software is put out by the well respected Windows guru, Vishal Gupta, who is responsible for coming up with many of the Windows tweaks and fixes that are available (Ask VG). The guy seems to be a genius.

OK, thanks. Never heard of him or the software, and was kind of wary. I appreciate the information!