Avast is telling me there's over 2,000 errors with my registry

Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

  1. Posts : 366
    Windows 10 v. 21H1, Build 19043.1348
       #1

    Avast is telling me there's over 2,000 errors with my registry


    Overall I've been pleased with Avast for anti-virus. But in their expansion of functionality, they now perform various checks and then warn you about findings... Of course, to fix them you need to pay for their special utilities. Junk files can be cleaned out pretty easily. Same for cookies. But what if the registry has damage or bogus entries that Microsoft's O/S is negligent to clean up? Is there a trustworthy utility out there that can do a good job of tidying up the Windows 10 registry? I'm not certain if I should trust Avast for this task, if it really needs to be done.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    There is an extensive industry promoting registry cleaners. If you trouble to search this forum, you will find these, like for the most part driver updater tools, described as snake oil.

    There is no discernible benefit from using a registry cleaner, and every chance of doing some damage you might not detect for weeks or months.

    Blaming the OS for not cleaning the registry is taking a very restricted point of view. For example, when a program is uninstalled, it is the author's responsibility to remove all relevant registry entries. That is often not the case, which is why tools like Revo uninstaller and Geek uninstaller are handy. Those help to remove leftovers in a safe manner.

    Should MS be responsible for cleaning up after all poorly written 3rd party uninstallers?

    Avast's message, rather like the tricks MS phone scammers try, is to get you worried, as you are, so you're ready to spend money.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 384
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #3

    cytherian said:
    Overall I've been pleased with Avast for anti-virus. But in their expansion of functionality, they now perform various checks and then warn you about findings... Of course, to fix them you need to pay for their special utilities. Junk files can be cleaned out pretty easily. Same for cookies. But what if the registry has damage or bogus entries that Microsoft's O/S is negligent to clean up? Is there a trustworthy utility out there that can do a good job of tidying up the Windows 10 registry? I'm not certain if I should trust Avast for this task, if it really needs to be done.
    I no longer trust Avast for anything, it was around the time they merged with AVG. I just use Defender, check out the latest AV Comparatives and decide for yourself. I was glad I personally missed all the kerfuffle around the January updates for Windows 10.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 14,901
    Windows 10 Pro
       #4

    Hi cytherian,

    Damaged registry is automatically picked up by Windows and repaired as best as possible. When Windows repairs the registry, in the eventviewer under 'System' you see an event along the line of 'hive xxx was corrupted and repaired, some data may have been lost in the process'.

    If with 'bogus' you mean entries from malware/PUP, those are cleaned up by AV software. Any other 'bogus' entries are usually leftover or unused entries which can be left alone as it won't gain you anything.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 56,806
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #5

    Agree. 99.999% of the "errors" reported by these "Chicken Little the Sky is Falling" apps is pure hogwash and scare tactics. There are even "apps" than report harmless cookies as Serious System Errors!! Pay now to clean up!

    Snake oil......avoid.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 2,935
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #6

    Yup. Snake oil indeed. Windows registry is best left alone.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #7

    I would not use Avast's cleaner at all. I would prefer ccleaner if you have to use one.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 384
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #8

    swarfega said:
    I would not use Avast's cleaner at all. I would prefer ccleaner if you have to use one.
    CCleaner is Avast! they bought Piriform, plus the d/l channel was infected previously, so....
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 14,901
    Windows 10 Pro
       #9

    At the time when the downloads of Ccleaner were infected it was for an older version and it only affected the 32bits version.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 384
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #10

    axe0 said:
    At the time when the downloads of Ccleaner were infected it was for an older version and it only affected the 32bits version.
    For me personally, the trust is lost for all of the above reasons. Merger, buyout, previous form. Everything is temporary.
      My Computers


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:21.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums