RegScrubXP. Pretty cool freeware for cleaning up the Windows registry. I say cool because when I tried it, it cleaned out over 450 errant entries without trashing my machine. That’s cool in my book.
Safely cleans junk out of the Windows XP/2000 System Registry, making it smaller and faster to access. · All changes made to the Registry are fully restorable to it’s original condition. · You can make an exclusion list of Registry entries that RegScrubXP will not display as problems. · You can sift through a list of File Extensions, Company Names, “Run Upon Startup” programs, Internet Explorer History, and Uninstall programs to delete what you think is junk.
Well, free is the right price.
The misconception here is that a bigger registry runs slower. Not true – it’s indexed like a database, so essentially the OS goes directly to the registry values needed. Old, unneeded/unused registry entries are simply never looked at.
The second misconception is that this takes any appreciable space on your hard drive. Usually, no. 450 registry entries would probably use about the same space as a two page text file.
So, as long as it doesn’t hurt anything or cost you any money – sure. Run that registry cleaner. You’ll feel better.
BUT BUT BUT – if it doesn’t offer a way to undo the changes, don’t do it. Click “yes” anywhere it gives an opportunity to save a back up, make a safety file, whatever your particular app calls it. I have seen registry cleaners trash applications. Often this isn’t noticed for a couple of days, so save that backup file!
Thanks Bryan, useful feedback. In my case, because I install and remove gazillions of programs a year, I just feel better getting rid of the junk in the registry. Kind of like dusting the shelves every so often. :-)