Can I use a backup of my Registry to clean up my registry?

[Brian]

Howdy All,


When I did a clean install of XP, I saved the backed up the registry.

Can I import this backup to clean out all registry entries since the
install?

Or can I do a comparison between the backup and the current registry to look
at differences and delete them manually?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Harkhof]

Howdy All,


When I did a clean install of XP, I saved the backed up the registry.

Can I import this backup to clean out all registry entries since the
install?

Importing your "clean install" registry is not advisable since doing so will
serve only to revert all of your system settings back to the install state
and will "break" your system as you currently know it. Should you do so, be
prepared to redo all changes you've made to your system since the clean XP
install, including reinstalling some or all software and certainly all
devices installed since that "clean install".

Your best bet is to get a registry cleaner, many of which are recommended
throughout this NG.

Hark

 

[Brian]

Thanks Hark.

If I was to do a system restore back to the clean install date, would that
delete data files (docs, pdfs, etc.) that are on my HDD and restore the
registry back to the clean install date?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Harkhof]

Thanks Hark.

If I was to do a system restore back to the clean install date, would that
delete data files (docs, pdfs, etc.) that are on my HDD and restore the
registry back to the clean install date?

Depending on your SR settings, SR will only keep so many restore points and
is is doubtful that it will go back more than a month or so at most. SR will
not delete data files and such. You will lose system settings. It has also
been said that restoring back more than a week or so will cause more issues
than it solves. I rarely use SR to restore more than a day or two back, and
then only when I really need to.

Again, if your goal is to clean up the registry, a reliable registry cleaner
may be your best bet (always back up your registry before making changes).

Beyond that, being cautious of what you install is the best preventative.
Don't just install anything you've downloaded off the internet.

Hark

 

[Brian]

Thanks again Hark.

The "Don't just install anything you've downloaded off the internet" is what
I am trying to fix on an employees machine, it's only about 1 month old and
I thought that restoring and reinstalling apps would be the way to go.

Thanks.

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Brian,

System Restore is not designed to uninstall applications. Using System Restore in this way
would only remove the monitored files and folders of installed applications and leave the
rest. Your best bet is to go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall any unwanted
applications.

All About System Restore in WinXP
http://bertk.mvps.org/