Free Registry Cleaners

Glen, JV16 powertools is an excellent thorough and deep registry cleaner, but it's not really suitable for novices.

I have used ccleaner on alot of computers and find it to be a really good program for the not so techie people out there, as it is hard to do damage if they go with the default settings. If I get a system that is really bogged down then i will use JV16 Powertools, but you have to be careful of what you are doing as it can do some real damage. Like the program tells you, if your not sure about what you are doing, don't do it till you know.

I run Windows XP snd use "RegCure" which is a paid-for program ($29.95) to start, and it costs me $19.95 to remew each year. It will automatically back up the registry before cleaning it. In case of a conflict, I can reset it. It keeps all backups until I decide to delete them. It performs some other cleanup tasks as well.

JV16 Power Tools 2008 is not freeware. It is a trial version from Macecraft. (Free to try, 29.95 to buy.) I have used Jouni Vuorio's (the JV in Macecraft's JV16 Power Tools 2008) Reg Cleaner 4.3 for years without problems. It is the last freeware version before Jouni started distributing through Macecraft. Just Google Reg Cleaner 4.3 to find a download site for this free program.I also use CCleaner and Easy Cleaner and run all three as part of my backup procedure. I run Reg Clean last and it always finds more than the other two cleaners.

Thank you! I need to do this! Great article. Easy to follow, and thanks for the registry cleaner source.

I tried the Regcure "free" download, why is beyond me, well, anyways, it found over 1000 errors! Of course, fixing these so called errors aren't free, so after dishing out $29.95, and registering the program, I started the repair process, and whats the first thing the program wants to do? It wants to disable my Picasa 3 graphics program, and restore Windows picture viewer as my default program for opening bitmaps! over 1000 registry "errors" and this is the first thing it wants to "fix"?! That's when I realized I've been duped again! When am I going to learn, that NOTHING IS FREE ON THE INTERNET!!!

EDITOR'S NOTE: There are plenty of good freebies on the Internet. But sometimes you have to do your research. Hopefully you're not implying that I advised you to try REGCURE, because I've actually recommended AGAINST that program. Try one of the ones I've recommended...

Wow, you sound like you know what you're talking about. I'm not as computer smart as you are, which is why I'll be sticking with JV16 thank you very much. I don't HAVE to know everything about a computer to work with JV and yeah, maybe that makes me sound stupid but so what. I know the difference between a slow computer and a fast computer. JV makes that difference very clear.

BTW, you're very cute Bob. :-)

I've heard tha registry cleaners don't help much, if at all. I totally disagree with this. I've used a few free and paid and I've settled on CCleaner as my clean-up tool. I've revived many computers which prior to runninc CCleaner were so slow the computer owners insister they had a virus. I don't know if there is a better one or not, but CCleaner definitely does the job.

Bob's comment about EasyCleaner is a little outdated. The developer, is no longer actively updating his software. His programs are still available as far as I know, and I use them every day.

EasyCleaner cleans the registry very safely. In 10 years of use I have never had any problems with it. I can recommend EasyCleaner for cleaning the registry and the other things it does, with ONE EXCEPTION.

DO NOT USE THE DUPLICATE FILE TOOL, EVER.

It is too easy to inadvertantly remove a duplicate file that the computer requires in order to work properly. Neither you nor I know which duplicate files are safe to remove and which are not.

yes true its not outdated but is good work bob

I disagree that registry cleaners are safe. I used registry cleaners until a relatively new system experiences a fatal crash which required reinstallation of the OS.

The problem is that many of the issues arising from deleting important registry keys seem very much like malware infections. Program and system freezes, loss of functions and features, etc. Also, the problems can arise over a long period of time and seem like normal wear on a system when in fact it is not.

It is far better to stay away from these types of system tools.

Nothing is outdated in computer if we talk about antivirus or registry cleaner. I have to say you have done good work.

I was researching freeware registry cleaners and checking reviews . Uniblue Registry Booster sounded good so I checked some reviews and I immediately scrapped the idea of downloading it . Many called it a total scam and some had really bad problems .

I was surprised to see that Bob had it listed and I usually don't question any of his recommendations , but this one needs a thorough check of reviews , etc. before using in my opinion.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I've used Uniblue Registry Booster, and found it helpful on my own computer. One thing to consider -- this type of software is a very competitive market. Both positive and negative reviews are often planted by proponents of a particular product.

I have found regcleaner quite safe. I found it a bit inconvienient when it deleted unused file extensions. I untick that. It has an added convienience in that it doesn't install but just runs.

I am a download junkie and do need therapy for this. I have tried most all registry cleaners and have had to reinstall my operating system an incredible amount of times. Yes, you do need a registry cleaner and that is a 100% sure statement. The most trustworthy of all free ones are Advance System Care and Ccleaner. One catches what the other misses. Just like malware/spyware cleaners, you need a minimum of three of these. The best free, malwarebytes, superantispyware, and advance spyware remover. And Bob, please keep doing your best at helping people. This is exactly what we are all supposed to do. And it feels good too.

I use CCleaner it works fast and usually speeds up the machine. I have recommended it to many of my friends who are novice computer users.

Bob: I tried the link to jv16 PowerTools and I was directed to the 2011 edition download page. It's not free.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks, I removed that one from the list.

What do you recommend for Windows 7?

I tried the free version of UNIBLUE--you recomended (a while ago ) --- and to this day -- I can't get rid of it completely ! I have to click out of 2 different things , every time I start up ! Control Panel-- 'uninstall' will not get rid of it ! Beware of UNIBLUE !

My computer victimised to get real oppressive and retard but it gets very illuminate and prestissimo presently after I use registry cleaner.