Optimizing Windows

[Eric]

Hi all,

I am looking for a software to optimize windows xp. Such as software that
can clean up the registry and fix windows errors amongst other things.I know
of a software by pc tools and a software called Speed Up My PC are any of
these software recommened.

Any response is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Eric

 

[JS]

Not a good idea.
Freeware registry cleaners can trash your PC at no cost $$$ to you.
Those registry cleaner utilities that cost money are best known
for cleaning your wallet and then trashing your PC.

Example #1
Ran a scan to count the number of entries in my PC's registry
Total was over 260,000
So if a registry cleaner (if it worked properly) removed say 1,000 entries,
that would be less than one half of one percent space savings.

Example #2
I very recently ran a registry cleaner knowing in advance what some of the
fixes the cleaner should find and the suggested changes.
This was based on the fact I had uninstalled an application (knowing it
would leave some orphaned registry entries) and then reinstalled the same
application to a different directory location.

The cleaner's default suggested fix for the application's old directory
location (the orphaned entries) was to change these entries to the new
location, which was not necessary, so I manually deleted these entries.

Now here is where a registry cleaner could cause a real problem!
A few months ago I removed a large number but not all of the
$NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$ folders
(these are the folders and associated files left behind each time you
install the latest Windows Updates each month)
The cleaner reported the broken registry entries but the suggested fix was
to point the broken entries to remaining $NtUninstall files (on a random
basis) registry entries, thus royally screwing up the registry pointers. By
that I mean: if you go to uninstall (in rare cases) a MS KB patch that may
be giving you problems and due to the screwed up registry entry it instead
removes the wrong patch.

If all of the above isn't enough to convince you then read this:
AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry Cleaner?
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099


JS
http://www.pagestart.com

 

[Unknown]

Absolutely Not.

 

[David B.]

These applications are snake oil, stay away from them unless you want more
problems than you already have.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi all,

I am looking for a software to optimize windows xp. Such as software that
can clean up the registry

Registry cleaning programs are *all* snake oil. Cleaning of the
registry isn't needed and is dangerous. Leave the registry alone and
don't use any registry cleaner. Despite what many people think, and
what vendors of registry cleaning software try to convince you of,
having unused registry entries doesn't really hurt you.

The risk of a serious problem caused by a registry cleaner erroneously
removing an entry you need is far greater than any potential benefit
it may have.

and fix windows errors amongst other things.I know
of a software by pc tools and a software called Speed Up My PC are any of
these software recommened.

All such software "to optimize windows xp" are almost always useless
at
best, and very often dangerous. Stay away from it.

 

[Bob I]

Optimizing my PC: That methodical procedure whereby the novice converts
a working computer into a paperweight.

Recommendation is to leave it alone and don't waste the money or time on
snake oil products.

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was 9/18/2008 1:22 PM, and on a whim, Eric pounded out

Hi all,

I am looking for a software to optimize windows xp. Such as software that
can clean up the registry and fix windows errors amongst other things.I know
of a software by pc tools and a software called Speed Up My PC are any of
these software recommened.

Any response is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Eric

Hi Eric,

As you can see, most users suggest not allowing a program to sweep
through your system and make decisions that could render your computer
useless. If you haven't edited the registry and know how to work in the
registry comfortably, I don't recommend it either.

But if you know what you're looking at when using a registry cleaner, it
can be useful. How useful is quite subjective. The first key is to
NEVER allow a registry cleaner to run automatically and make decisions
for you. The second key is that you know 100% what is being removed or
modified, and if you don't, leave it alone.

You stated "windows errors". If you have specific errors happening,
report them here with details of how it happens. Most likely someone
can help you in resolving it. Start a new thread for each one. Again,
if you're what could be considered an advanced user and know how to work
in the registry, you may be able to solve it yourself with a registry
cleaner.

But by your question alone I would say that you're not, so I would leave
the problem solving to those that have the knowledge.

Hope this helps,

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

 

[marx404]

The safest best is to use www.pcpitstop.com they have free online apps that
can help to safely optimize your PC, especially if you are not familiar with
how to do it safely.

 

[HeyBub]

Not a good idea.
Freeware registry cleaners can trash your PC at no cost $$$ to you.
Those registry cleaner utilities that cost money are best known
for cleaning your wallet and then trashing your PC.

Example #1
Ran a scan to count the number of entries in my PC's registry
Total was over 260,000
So if a registry cleaner (if it worked properly) removed say 1,000
entries, that would be less than one half of one percent space
savings.

Less than 1% of what?

Time? Nah. Extra registry entries add virtually nothing to execution time
(the registry is not searched sequentially).

Space? Maybe. Depends on the size of the entries.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi all,

I am looking for a software to optimize windows xp. Such as software that
can clean up the registry and fix windows errors amongst other things.

All such products are pure, unadulterated snake oil. None of them do
any good, and most can easily cause great harm when used by any both the
most experienced. Registry "cleaners" are the worst of the lot.

I know
of a software by pc tools and a software called Speed Up My PC are any of
these software recommened.

Only if your goal is to create a door stop or boat anchor.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Bruce Chambers]

The safest best is to use www.pcpitstop.com they have free online apps that
can help to safely optimize your PC, especially if you are not familiar with
how to do it safely.

I wouldn't recommend anyone use that site. The first thing it tries to
do is install crap when one clicks for an allegedly "free" scan. I know
of no reason to trust that site, especially since it reads like a
carnie's spiel. The claims are simply too good to be true.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[David B.]

That is far from the safest bet, the safest bet is to avoid all such apps
like the plague.

 

[neutrino]

Hi all,
The best way to handle Windows is to start from a Re-installation of
your operating system,
get it all up to date and all basic software installed, and all
looking good and working fast.
then you take a complete backup!! ( "Norton Ghost' or "Acronis") take
this back up and save it
to another disk - if you have one, or to another Partition- if you
don't have one of those,
look at Norton Partition Magic.
Once done - you have a nice fast fresh install of windows, and also
fully backed up.
Now you begin installing your personal collection of programs - being
aware of any that may have caused problems!
install,test, check all is still looking good, proceed to the next~
etc etc
Once you get to a point where you have severla programs installed,
checked and still working perfectly - you could always take some time
out ~ and perform another backup, either overwriting the previous, or
making a new backup, as at this point. with a backup such as this -
you always have a point you can go back to should anything go wrong!

 

[Eric]

Thanks for all the answers.

 

[Unknown]

Think they were unanimous?