Windows 10: Discuss the uses of 'registry cleaners', 'disk cleaners', 'optimizers'

With the possible exception of defragmenting a hard drive or optimizing a SSD. They do serve a useful purpose, and are recommended.

 

Even then, for larger disks that are severely fragmented, the faster way to "defrag" it, is create a system image and then turn around and reimage the disk.

 

From my experience these types of programs are really more dangerous than helpful. AVOID!!!!

 

True.. I was making reference to third party tools.

 

Hi there
I don't think I've ever needed to defrag a disk since Windows 95 days when HDD sizes were measured in MB (yes MB not even GB and certainly not TB).

However if you really NEED (or think you need to do it) as pointed out previously by far the quickest way to do it is to take an IMAGE (note an IMAGE not a CLONE as that just copies out the previous layout sector by sector), re-format the HDD and restore. Job done. Do a proper format though not a quick format as you want to wipe the file structure so the restore image can create a new one.

Cheers
jimbo

 

I'll go out on a branch and say that CCleaner's registry cleaner has helped me many times over. I only use it when I remove a deep-rooted driver package or application, such as an anti-virus package. I've used it to solve issues where new ATI drivers wouldn't go on because remnants of the previous install were left behind in the form of registry keys. I don't even mention the word CCleaner to mid or novice users, though.

As for the others, I've always felt that the built-in disk cleanup tool has always worked very well. If you need a program to help you with drivers, then you probably shouldn't be the one updating them in the first place. Boosters or optimizers are always a joke, just like memory "cleaners".

 

Why not? "Straight out of the box" CCleaner install without changing anything I just click the disk cleanup button - I don't even analyze first. Then after that is done on the left select the next option down for registry, click scan, click fix, never have saved a backup, click fix all. Then run it a couple more times until it finishes finding all the dependencies. I have never had an issue with CCleaner messing up anything.

 

CC Cleaner if anything, otherwise I relent against all these optimizers and reg cleaners.

Even if I had use for them, it's an install, get the specific job done and uninstall.

 

Registry cleaners do have some value when used by an expert to solve a specific problem. But they are typically used by people who have only a vague understanding of what the registry is and none of the limitations of a registry cleaner. In such hands they are dangerous. That is the view of Mark Russinovich a well known Windows expert.

 

"...Registry cleaners do have some value when used by an expert to solve a specific problem..." lMiller7
I'm not an expert, however, I have used a registry editor by Resplendence to surgically remove specific material, sometimes what appears to be a "shotgun spray," is merely taking out a specific hydra and its many many tiny legs.

 

No argument there! Only one issue, you'd be surprised (maybe not!) , how many users would respond "What's a backup?". But....that's a whole 'nother topic!

 

The problem with most of these "cleaners" and "optimizers" is that they often implement risky "fixes" without telling the users of the risks. Also, old versions of these apps can actually damage your system because they aren't aware of new things that have been done.

It's usually a good idea, if you feel you must use one of these, to only use the most recent version of it, and even then insure that this version was released relatively recently.

 

That is why Ccleaner is good because it is kept up to date and comes highly recommended

 

As long as you stick to general cleanup tasks, like emptying temporary files or internet files, sure. But as soon as you go into the more advanced cleanup, you start taking more risks.

Microsoft doesn't recommend ccleaner at all. for example:

http://news.thewindowsclub.com/micro...isagree-80369/

 

What a load of bollocks... it's safe as houses.