Windows native disk cleanup

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

You've probably all heard of the Windows Registry, and how we should not mess with it. Still, over time Windows (especially XP) can get seriously slowed down by a bloated Registry.

There are many commercial and freeware downloads out there which claim to "clean" your Registry of old entries and broken links left over from previous activity, and speed up your PC. I'm just as suspicious of these as anyone, as many of them do nothing or make things even worse.

I was not aware until now that there is an enhanced version of the good old native-to-Windows Disk Cleanup tool. This newsletter about it (I have no connection with them) I have found to be a reliable, unbiased, and informed guide, and I thought you might be interested in this article

http://windowssecrets.com/newsletter/putting-registry-system-cleanup-apps-to-the-test/#story3

and the enhanced Windows tool

http://windowssecrets.com/langalist-plus/sageset-unlocks-cleanmgrs-power/

http://windowssecrets.com/langalist-plus/sagerun-completes-the-picture/

If you decide to try this, note there is a space after "Cleanmgr", and a colon before the number 99.

Cheers

[pjphilli]

Hi Geoff

I too have wondered how I can safely clean up my XP register.
When you run the "free" tools it usually says that you have lots of
register problems so please pay $X and we will fix them for you.
I baulk at this stage for the reasons you have given.
I looked at the links you gave but they seem mainly to refer back to the
normal XP Disk Cleanup which does not appear to clean the registry.

Have you yet come across a safe tool to do this? I don't mind paying
for something that really works and is safe.

Cheers Peter

[Barrykgerdes]

Have used a (free) program called RegscrubXP for many years. It was recommended by PC Mag.

I don't know how effective it is but it appears to work OK.

I used it on a computer some time ago that was awfully slow and had over 1000 registry errors. It cleaned the lot in about 5 minutes and certainly quickened up the computer.

I have seen a lot of those ones that tell you you have errors and then tell you you need to pay to fix. The errors found don't usually agree with the errors found by RegScrubXP.

Barry

[GeoffW1]

Hi Peter,

It is an enhanced version of the normal Cleanup tool. They say it only runs from the command line. It did seem to speed my machine up on bootup. It took a helluva long time to complete cleaning when I ran it too. I agree though it doesn't specifically claim to clean the Registry, anywhere I could see.

The newsletter (which I trust) mentions Piriform CCleaner, which does,

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

as an alternative.

Cheers

[mldee]

I've used Auslogics disk and registry defrags for years. They're free and reliable and are often included on the local PC mags disks.

Their website in Sydney is http://www.auslogics.com/en/

They are also available from most of the better known shareware sites and do not include ads or spyware etc.

[multiweb]

I've used Registry Mechanic (http://pcregistrycleaners.org/registry-mechanic/)since Win 2000 days. Worked me through XP and now 7 64bit. I like it because it cleans all your temp files and internet history and foot print as well. Very customizable and good price.

[tlgerdes]

I dont worry about that, I just rebuild Windows every 12months. :lol: