Identifying Unknown Registry Entries

[keni254]

Good morning Geeks, running XP Home SP3

Every once in a while I go in and manually delete registry entries, mostly from software uninstalled that leaves leftovers. I noticed today that there are a few that are unknown or unwanted. Just found one named "Bunndle", which is advertising software added by some program install.

Is there a way to identify which program installed this. I know that if I delete the registry entry the application might fail, but I'd like to know that in advance.

Another curious one is "Fighters/SFPRO/Account" and it has my e-mail address listed as one of the DWords, which might be from Spam Fighter Pro which may be several years old and can be deleted.

Other than checking the internet for each one, can you provide any guidance.

[usafveteran]

I would rely on software tools known to be safe and reliable, as opposed to manually deleting or changing registry entries. If you aren't using one or more good anti-malware programs such as MalwareBytes Anti-Malware or SuperAntiSpyware, it's time to start using them. I also suggest using CCleaner and using it's registry cleaner.

[Goldenskull]

I would Try and Do a File search first and see where it is located.On your Xp there is a File or Folder Search option.Are you using MSI Afterburner

[pwillener]

As long as these reg entries are not malicious, or startup items, I would just leave them alone. They will not hamper Windows performance in any way, nor do they take up any disk space.

Running registry cleaners such as CCleaner may be relatively safe, yet how many times I have seen topics titled "CCleaner has killed my computer!" over in the Piriform forums...