Registry Cleaner Reviews

How would one go about fixing corrupt registry files? The first thing is: can you still get into Windows?

Did you make a manual backup of your registry? If you made a backup you can replace the damaged registry files with the backup you made previously. If theres no backup then you can download a registry cleaner. To view our review of the best registry cleaners click here!
You can also download free trials there.

If you cannot get into Windows you can try to enter windows in the so called safe mode. You can get into safe mode by pressing F8 while booting Windows. You will see a screen like below:

With safe mode you get in an emergency Windows repair state. Do not panic if your screen looks different - its supposed to look this way. Now you can repair your registry by using registry repair software.

What if I cannot get into Windows?

The last resort is repairing Windows. Pop the installation disk of Windows in the CD-Rom drive and after a while you can select if you would like to install Windows or Repair an existing Windows version. You should choose the latter. Repairing Windows means that it will replace the existing Windows installation. Because you have reinstalled Windows you will have to reinstall every program again and all the Windows updates.

Download and install the latest hardware drivers

By downloading the lastest drivers you could improve your current PC performance. Sometimes the vendor has software which can update itself.

Upgrading system BIOS software

Be very careful with updating your systems bios software. If interrupted it could render your PC unusable.

Moving the paging file

Disk cleanup part two

Windows stores a lot of information on your PC in case you want to uninstall updates. Usually if your PC is running perfectly you do not need to uninstall servicepacks and updates and its safe to delete these files.

If Windows is working properly you can delete the uninstall files from the servicepackes and windows updates. Unless you plan to uninstall the installed servicepacks it is safe to delete all the “C:\Windows\$Ntunsinstall…” folders which start with a “$” and end with “$”. Another forlder which can be safely deleted is “C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386″ unless you plan to uninstall the installed servicepack.

You could also delete the drivercache directory if you are not planning to install new hardware on your PC. Its best to backup these files to a cd in case you would need to restore these files later. Otherwise it will ask for the Windows install cd. In my case I do not need to install new hardware so I’ve backupped and deleted this directory saving me another 100MB of space. The folder to delete is: “C:\Windows\Driver Cache\I386″.

C:\Windows\Downloaded Installations\
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\
These folders contain the setup files of downloaded and installed applications and Windows updates. The last one contains the downloaded Windows updates, which are there in strange names without any extension. With most of those files you can add MSI or EXE and run them separately. Saving these files makes it possible to patch them on another Windows system or Windows setup files.

Disable services

Windows XP comes with a lot of services enabled by default, but if your PC isn’t using a wireless connection why should you have this enabled by default? In this chapter I will be guiding you to services you can shutdown safely if you are not using them.

How can I find the services? Go to Control Panel, Administrative Tools and finally click on Services. You can also access it directly by going to Start, run and type services.msc and press enter. Many of the services are needed to properly run Windows. Read carefully what each service does before deactivating the service because you might need it. I will list a couple of services that you may disable depending on your PC and needs.

Alerter

Sends administrative alerts over the network for administrator purposes. Unless you run a network with several machines and want this service you can disable it.

Computer browser

It lists all the computers in your network and sends information to other computers in your network. So unless you have a network you can disable it.

Distributed Link Tracking Client
You only need this service if you are using the NTFS file system. If you are using another type of Windows filesystem you can switch this service off. This services makes sure that linked files on different volumes (possibly somewhere on the network) stay connected. If a file has been moved to another location, the link will be updated by this service.

Error Reporting Service
Sends system error messages to Microsoft. You can safely disable this service.

Fast User Switching Compatibility
If you are the only person using your PC you will probably not need this function. This function makes it possible to switch between users while leaving you applications open without saving your data.
If not needed, don’t use this function, it doesn’t always work properly.

Help and Support
Without this service, the Windows Help and Support center will not be available. If you don’t need this help, switch this service to manual.

IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service
This service is needed if you want to burn CD-ROM’s with the Windows Explorer (copy-paste files to your CD burner). If you do not have a CD-burner, you can safely disable this service or switch it to manual. It is possible that this service can cause trouble in combination with other burning software.

Indexing Service
The indexing service lets you search faster for files and directories on your computer. This has one big drawback it comes at a cost of performance due to the indexing of your files and folders. Unless you really search often you do not need this service. I advise you to disable this service to increase (harddrive) performance.

IPSEC-services
IPSEC is a security system which allows to set up a VPN connection between a client and a server. Unless you want to setup a IPSEC VPN connection I would disable this service. If you have no clue what I was talking about then you can safely disable this service.

Messenger
This has nothing to do with the MSN messenger program. This service makes it possible sending messages over the network. It was used by administrators to send messenges to client machines. Its not needed and I would disable this service. There are also other ways to send messenges to other PC’s, like MSN messenger and others.

NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing
This service allows you to invite others to remotely access your computer as a remote desktop. There is no need for this service. For security issues, you better disable this option.

Performance Logs and Alerts
Unless you really want to test the performance of your PC on a regular basis its better to disable this service.

Portable Media Serial Number Service
This is needed to read serial number(s) of portable media player. If you disable this service it will not be able to open (downloaded) protected content. You probably can disable this service without any noticeable consequences.

Print Spooler
Necessary for printing. Unless you have a printer you can disable it.

QoS RSVP
Quality of Service is needed if you want to change priotities in certain traffic, for example you want all webtraffic to have a higher priority than bittorrent traffic. Most home users do not need this.

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
If you are using a router you can disable this service. If you are getting problems with your internet connection leave this service on automatic.

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
If you don’t need remote assistance, someone controls your computer by sending him/her an invitation, disable this function.

Routing and Remote Access
If there is no need to dial in by others into your computer, disable this service.

Security Center (SP2)
With the installatie of Service Pack 2 came the Windows Security Center. The Security Center monitors your PC’s system security (Windows updates, firewall and virus scan). If something is not working properly, you will be informed continuously. You can safely disable this function if you have managed your firewall and virussoftware.

Server
This service is needed if you want to share files and printers with other computers on your network. If you are the only one or you have no network with other PCs or need for this you can safely disable this service.

Smart Card
If you do not have a smart card in your PC you can disable this service.

System Event Notification
Unless you have a network or a laptop or otherwise portable PC you can disable this service.

System Restore Service
With this service you can restore your system to an in the past stored state. This function doesn’t always function properly.

Task Scheduler
If you disable this service Windows will not be able to schedule tasks. Many applications need this service. If you prefer to do everything yourself, you can disable this service. I prefer automatic.

Theme’s
If you do not like the XP bubblegum look you can disable this function.

Windows Firewall (ICF) / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
If you have an external router/firewall you can disable this service. If you are connected directly to your modem and you want to share your internet connection with another PC do not disable this service. I recommend using an external router/firewall solution or at least an external router because if you have the incoming connection on your PC you cannot shut your PC down then the other PC cannot access the internet. Also there are better firewall solutions than Microsofts XP firewall.

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
If you want to transfer images from camera/webcam or scanner to your PC do not change this setting. Otherwise you can disable the service.

Wireless Zero Configuration-service
Needed for automatic configuration of your wireless network connection. If you do not have any wireless network adapter, disable this service.

WMI Performance Adapter
No need for performance information? Disable this service.

How to fix Windows Registry Errors?

If it is still possible to boot into Windows your first step should be to do a full registry scan. You can download registry software here.

You cannot boot into Windows? Try if its possible to boot by using safe mode. While Windows is booting press the F8 key and select “safe mode”. After logging in scan you registry like mentioned before.

If you are able to do this install a registry repair software and try to fix you registry.

If you are not able to boot into safe mode you could also try to repair your windows by booting from the windows cd and choosing repair windows. This should be your last resort since after repairing windows you will have to reinstall all previously installed programs and windows updates.

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545&x=14&y=10

To read our review of the best registry cleaners click here!

Registry Easy

The name sounds like its easy to install and use but is it? We’ve tested this product so that you won’t have to! If you are interested in trying it out you can download the free trial here below.

Click here to try out Registry Easy now!

Screenshots of Registry Easy

Pictures say more than a thousand words…

The scan process….

The results after scanning

The number of errors found in the registry. It specifies the registry errors found.

You can see in which part of Windows the errors are found. Like Internet Explorer.

A very nice feature is the evidence cleaner. It lets you cleanup your tracks after you used Internet Explorer.

It also lets you make a backup of your Internet Explorer settings in case you want to restore changes you made.

A more detailed overview of the Internet Explorer settings you can backup.

It also lets you clean up junk files. Which is good to free up harddrive space.

Select the drive you want to be scanned.

Select the options.

After the registry cleanup.

Optimize your Windows. Let it run smoothly again like the first time you used it!

Restoring Internet Explorer to its old settings from the backup made.

Scan results.

Select programs you want to Windows to launch at startup. Or disable them from being launched.

Select optimization according to preset models.

Uninstall programs from Registry Easy.

The verdict

We found Registry Easy an easy to use program. With its automatic scanning and update feature you can “set and forget” and let it run itself without your help. We also really liked the extra feature of the history records cleaner. It allows the user to protect their privacy. This is a really unique feature that I haven’t seen in any other registry cleaning software. Another unique feature is the specific backup of internet explorer.

Benefits and Features

• History records cleaner
• Registry optimizer
• Deep Scan
• Safely Repair Problems
• Auto Scan
• Custom Scan
• Backup and Undo
• Auto and Manual Update
• Startup Program Manager
• Junk Files Cleaner
• IE Restore

Rating:

Customer testimonials

Registry Easy™ program found over 1300 problems with my computer and was able to fix them all. I’m now able to use my system without being afraid that it’s going to crash in the middle of something.
- Mike Todd - San Francisco, US

Your program scan is very fast and so far it has fixed many problems in my computer! In a word, excellent!
- Daly Lau - NY, US

It can scan and repair your computer fast! Many thanks!
- Prit Spears, France

RegistryEasy really works well for me. I just ran it on my Lenovo running Windows Vista Home Premium. It worked without a hitch. It even caught a lot that my other free registry missed. I am very happy with this application.
- John

Great program! It helped find quite a few legit errors on my Win XP SP2 system. Upon invoking the suggested repairs, my computer’s boot up sped has improved immensely. I highly recommend this program.
- Eric

Click here to try out Registry Easy now!

RegCure review

Click here to try out RegCure now!

Rating:

We found that RegCure is the easiest in use. It provides automatic scanning of the registry but you can also scan it manually. RegCure is compatible with all major Windows operating systems. It includes an automatic backup utility so that your operations are secure and safe. RegCure is inexpensive and they allow a free trial before buying. Clean registry problems fast and easily on your own!

Benefits and Features

• Back-up Registry
• Automatic/Manual Removal
• Shows scan progress
• Built in scheduler
• Organizes Windows Startup items
• Manage/Cleanup
• Program shortcuts
• Removes Invalid DLL entries
• Deletes empty Registry Keys
• Checks invalid Class Keys

Screenshots of RegCure, click on the thumbnails to open full size image. In the first screenshot you can see the items RegCure will scan for. We advise you to check all the boxes. The program will check for shared dll’s , file associations and various other registry keys.

In this screen shot you can see the settings. As you can see no difficult tech language. With just a few simple settings it will save you a lot of time and repairs your registry in no time! We recommend to check the automatic update setting.

In the last screenshot you can see the scanning process.

Testimonials Regcure

My computer kept crashing with illegal operation errors. At first I thought it was a virus, but my antivirus wasn’t able to find anything wrong. I ran your software and found over 300 errors!!! After it corrected them, my computer was no longer crashing! Thank you for saving me a lot of time and headache! You fixed my PC when nothing else did!

Katrina B.
Boston, MA

Thanks for your help! I couldn’t understand why my computer was so slow. I tried getting rid of the spyware and viruses, but I still couldn’t get it running the way I wanted. RegCure made my machine run like new again. You guys are amazing!

Josh R.
San Dimas, California

Thank you very much for your software! I was experiencing quite a few glitches and my system was freezing so I thought I should check to see if everything was working as it should. I purchased RegCure and ran it. It told me I that I had 212 entries and then it automatically removed them. Thanks to your software, I now have a perfectly running system! Thanks again!

Tim J.
Vancouver, BC

RegCure offers a 60 day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with your purchase. Start testing it now by downloading their free trial by clicking the link below!

Click here to try out RegCure now!