ccleaner

I watched the MG tutorial about Ccleaner and have a lot of faith in MG itself.
I do not want to open up an age old debate about registry cleaners but, I was taught not to use the reg cleaners unless you are capable of working in the registry itself.
I use the Windows cleaner now and then.
Is there something about ccleaner that makes the registry cleaner safer than other reg cleaners?
Basically, is it advisable to use the cleaner periodically?

 

I use CCleaner's registry cleaner and I believe a good many other MG forum members also use it. CCleaner just has a very solid reputation as being a safe registry cleaner. It's not quite as aggressive as many other registry cleaners and this is probably a factor in it's safety record. I've used it for years, including its registry cleaner, and never encountered a problem with it.

I usually glance through the list of items found by CCleaner's registry cleaner but I usually do not take time to research them. Still, I'm curious about what it found and what I see there often intuitively seems like appropriate cleanup items to remove from the registry. For example, if I've uninstalled a program since my last use of the registry cleaner and see a few remnants of that program in the list, they are not something I feel need any research.

When using any registry cleaner, always backup your registry before allowing the scanner to make changes to your registry. CCleaner will prompt you to backup the registry and you should do so. You can periodically delete older registry backups. I usually keep the few most recent ones and delete older ones.

 

Hi!! I have used CCleaner for years and I trust the registry cleaner feature. If I ever see a lot of items to delete; I save a back up, but most of the time I don't. I use ERUNT to back up my registry. I also have a current back up image of my OS on two external USB's . I do that at least once a month with Macrium Reflect. I run XP3 on my rig!! My PC is going on 8 years old, so I'm about ready for a new one.:-D:-D

 

I've used CCleaner since before it had a subtle new name, it's pretty rare that it's proven to have caused issues. Even so, I uncheck some of the standard boxes and check some of the optional one, I also check via the analyse option each time a new version is installed that nothing unexpected is going to happen. Like the newish Sessions checkbox in the Firefox settings.

In the Registry section, I've got mine set with the top 4 unchecked, just in case a future install, esp. one from MSFT, might need 'something'. I always manually check through what it offers to delete, too, if I'm not sure, it stays until I get time to research it further.

I tend to test out a lot of new versions of potentially useful programs, most of which are run once, analysed, logs read and then uninstalled so I probably use it 3-6 times per month.

oej's mention of ERUNT is a very good plan, it can give you an extra chance to get out of jail should something untoward happen.


A couple of general caveats regarding any cleaner:
Don't use the auto-run at boot-time feature if you normally keep your computer running for more than a couple of days. Any install you might have made during that time may need to use files stored in the temp. folders to complete the install process 100%.
Some recent malware variants can hide your files and Windows programs etc. and they may hide them in temp folders. If you suspect any infection, don't automatically run to a cleaning program or you may be doing more damage. Kill any suspected malware popups etc. using Taskman and start with the R&R from the Malware forum.

 

Hi!! There are some forums that will run you off or even ban you if you mention registry cleaners. I can testify to that:-D Fortunately MG has a little more sense. I really believe a registry cleaner like CCleancer can improve the performance of your PC. If you use a program like ERUNT to back up your registry, you won't have any problems cleaning your registry. This shouldn't be a daily thing. After uninstalling a program or maybe once a month.
I use a little more harsh cleaner called Regseeker, but I don't recommend it to the average PC user. I also use Windows Regedit, but don't even think about that unless you know exactly what your doing. That's my 2 cents for what it's worth. My PC has very little excess baggage. I run a tight ship:major I'm not conceded; I'm just always right:-o:-D
PS Majorgeeks is running slow and jerky today. I haven't noticed that lately. Maybe because it's Saturday. Don't be alarmed, it won't last long. A lot of traffic or maybe a server is down

 

Well, I certainly got a lot of useful information for which I am grateful.
I wonder if I need erunt if ccleaner has a backup?
It would seem the program's backup should restore everything ok if there was a problem.
So, could you let me know if ccleaner's backup is thorough and functional?
Also, if any one is interersted, I would like to know more about erunt.
I used it about 6 years ago and made a mess but I have come a long way since then and perhaps it could be a good tool for me. I already back up my systems to external drives with 2 programs, Acronis and Macrium. Sometimes i use Win 7 backup and believe it or not it did the job one day when I ran into trouble.
I vaguely remember placing an erunt folder somewhere like program files but I clicked on it when i should not have and all heck broke lose.
I never really understood how to create/operate it and never clearly knew what it did. Apparently it is a backup tool but under what conditions one would use it is unknown.
Thanx again.

 

Hi peterr! It looks like you are in good shape. I use ERUNT to back up my registry. Sometimes I might just want to restore my registry and not restore my whole OS. I have XP3, so backing up my OS with Macrium is a must for me. I don't know one thing about Win 7 back up. I have never restored my registry with ERUNT , so I can't give you any advise on that. It's just a added protection program for me and makes me feel more secure. I'm glad you learned a lot. I try to learn some thing new every day

 

Hi!! I use this with ERUNT.
NTREGOPT is a Registry Optimizer ??????
They seem to be a pair!!
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/
This is all I know and I'm not an expert by a long shot. It sounds good to me and isn't causing me any problems that I know of????? I use it before I use ERUNT??
Introduction
------------

Similar to Windows 9x/Me, the registry files in an NT-based system
can become fragmented over time, occupying more space on your hard
disk than necessary and decreasing overall performance. You should
use the NTREGOPT utility regularly, but especially after installing
or uninstalling a program, to minimize the size of the registry files
and optimize registry access.

The program works by recreating each registry hive "from scratch",
thus removing any slack space that may be left from previously
modified or deleted keys.

Note that the program does NOT change the contents of the registry in
any way, nor does it physically defrag the registry files on the drive
(as the PageDefrag program from SysInternals does). The optimization
done by NTREGOPT is simply compacting the registry hives to the
minimum size possible.

 

ERUNT and NTREGOPT on Win7
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/faq.htm

There have been no updates.

 

HI!! If you want a registry defrag program that gives you a little more detail, you might try this freeware program by Eusing.

http://majorgeeks.com/Eusing_Free_Registry_Defrag_d6132.html

 

1-It was very prudent of Madmal to point out the possible conflict with Win 7 and ERUNT at this time. Thank you

2-I was under the impression one could no longer backup the reg with regedit and saving to desktop. I found out the hard way two years ago with xp. I could be wrong as I am a learner not a teacher.

3-I found MG's defraggler to be a good program; I was told it defrags the most important part first.

4-Satrow pointers are worth rereading and heeding.

Thanx all

 

You can export your registry to the desktop or to any folder, like working with any other file.

 

Hello Vet
First thank you; I was a weekend warrior in 1958 but never saw the bad stuff.
Secondly, can the entire registry be totally backed up and restored using regedit. it seems system retore is preferred now.
I remember running regedit selecting all and eporting the .reg* (I think) to desktop. It failed to work for me and I inquired about three years ago + was told you don't use regedit to back up the reg any longer.
Please offer corrections/suggetsions.
Thank you
Peter

 

Backing up the Win 7 registry -

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Back-up-the-registry

 

Hi peterr!! I was in USAF 1958-1962. You are old my friend.:-D I agree with you about backing up the registry with regedit. I have heard of others having a bad experience using that method. IMHO ERUNT is the best way to go. It's so easy and fast and is recommended by many. System restore is good and ERUNT just gives you a extra layer of security and piece of mind.
Here's one opinion by someone that agrees with you.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/158651/back_up_your_registry.html
PS Lets hope you never have to restore the registry.

 

"Before you make changes to a registry key or subkey, we recommend that you export, or make a backup copy, of the key or subkey."

From what I am reading, you can back up the key or subkey not the entire registry. I understand that - I was literally reading that you wanted to back up the registry per se, that is why I questioned the coment.

Yes, I have a few scars to show for age but it has been quite a ride.

I think I would rather do a system restsore, or recover an image than back up a part of the registry because I am not skilled enough to edit the registry.
The back up process is easy enough but editing might be another thing.

 

A very good article here about Registry backup and restore, including different Types of Backups, with images showing "how to":
Backing Up and Restoring the Windows 7 Registry

 

Hi!! Good article mjmc. I tried to read the entire article , but I soon got tired and my old mine started to not want to concentrate on all the technical stuff. Just to much for this tired old brain to absorb:-D:zzz. Skipped down to the end and read the above, so that's where I'm at. I'll just make a current back up image with Macrium Reflect creat a system restore point and Back up my registry with ERUNT before I make any changes. That method hasn't let me down yet and I feel good about it.
I have never had to restore any thing that CCleaner removed. I don't even use the back up part any more. I always have Macrium to get every thing back like it was. I pretty much have every thing on my PC that I want, so I don't have much deleting going on in the registry. Old puter is going on 8 years old, so it won't be long before I'll need to get a new one. I'm really dreading W7. I like my XP3.

 

Hello One eye
have you read that erunt has problems with Win 7 especially 64 bit?
I noticed you use Macrium Reflect. I paid for a single license with Acronis and use the free macrium reflect for the laptop along with the Win 7 Back up and restore. I use the Win 7 with both pcs and Acronis and Macrium with them also.
Because Macrium free does not offer forum rights, I cannot post to it. Do you have the free or paid version.
if paid perhaps you could post for some of us who have the free one and have questions?
Macriun is ok but it keeps changinging its vesion so I am chewing up cds. One time I tried to use the new cd a you should when 1st created and it caused all kinds of errors. Believe it or not it was the cheezy little old Win 7 backup and restore that restored the operating system. I have faith in it as a back up.
Peter

 

You can refer here for more details:
ERUNT Frequently Asked Questions

 

Hi peterr! I have the paid version, and I would be happy to ask any questions you might have about Macrium. Its kind of crummy not to answer questions for their free customers. Not sure what's going on or what you mean about chewing up cds. Are you talking about the rescue CD?? The paid version has a windows PE feature that allows you the option to boot normal or boot into Macrium, so I don't use the Linux rescue CD. I tried Acronis a long time ago, but I prefer Macrium. Sounds like your in great shape if you can restore your OS with W7. I like the option to be able to boot into Macrium with out dragging out a CD.
If you send me a PM, I would be glad to give you my email address and try to answer or get any answer you might have about Macrium.
The paid version has a lot more bells and whistles
I tried to open a thread and offer our members help about Macrium Reflect, but I didn't get any takers.

 

Hi again One eye
At the moment I do not have any issues with Macrium -thank you for asking.
By chewing up cds, I meant there are many patches which I create a new rescue cd for.
I am confused about recovering with Windows vs. the disc. and not just for Macrium but for Acronis and Win 7 backup and restore. I was told by one person to use programs and only if you have trouble should you use the cd. Then I was told to use the cd to avoid problems. To be honest, I have had more success with the cd than with the desktop(windows?) than with all three imaging programs. I do not know what you call the program you run rom your screen as opposed to the cd.
Is there a rule of thumb or does it vary from program to program?

 

For pretty obvious reasons you cannot restore your operating system while still using it, so if you attempt to restore an Acronis/Easeus/Macrium image while Windows is running then the system will request a reboot before carrying on with the restore. So when restoring the operating system partition it's usually best to do so from the rescue CD rather than from Windows. However when restoring a data partition that can be done from Windows without rebooting.

The Win 7 backup system is very limited compared with Acronis etc, as you can only restore a complete image, not individual files, and you can only store the image at the root of a drive, meaning you can only have one image stored on each drive.

The best backup strategy is, as oej does, to find a backup program that you are comfortable with and stick with it. Using multiple backup programs is space wasting and potentially confusing.

 

Hello
In the future I will go to my cds to recover my system.
I will continue with Acronis and Macrium.
Thank you for the courteous reply.
Peter

 

peter, an image is 20GB or so, maybe more. Taking images with two different programs is going to burn acres of disk real estate. You would be better advised just to choose one or the other and learn how to use it to best effect. My two pennyworth anyway.

 

>>I have already removed the Win 7 backup per last post, so just Acronis is in the desktop pc and Macrium is in the laptop.
Your 2 cents is much appreciated and thank you.
Peter

 

Hi peterr! Sense this is your thread, I guess we can get off topic.
Macruim up dates for me also, but I don't think you need to make a new rescue CD every time; unless your told to do so. I will check on that.
When I reboot, I get a screen that gives me the option to boot normal or use up and down errors to boot into Macrium. This is a feature that you get for the paid version of Macrium If I don't choose, my PC boots from the disk drive , or what I call normally. If I use a rescue CD or a Windows CD then my PC boots from the CD. I would attach screen shot if I could. I will search and see if I can find what I see when I restart my PC.

 

Hi again
it seems that booting from cd is a good way to go.
It would be interesting to see what your forum has to say about changing cds with each patch. I think you should but you can check and maybe be good enough to share.
Thank you
Peter

 

I will ask or research about making new cds with each patch, but I'm pretty sure you don't need to because the cd is just a way to boot into Macrium. Here is what I see with the paid version each time I restart my PC.

Pressing 'Enter' on the menu will start a Windows PE environment which identical to the Windows PE rescue CD. The operating system is loaded completely into memory so you can freely access and replace any partition on your local hard disk.

 

Wrong! The CD boots into (usually) a Linux or PE version of the program installed on the CD, not into the Windows version installed on your hard disk. It is essential that your CD be made with the version installed on the hard disk, as not to do so risks the CD being unable to read an image file created from within Windows. The only exception to this is if you ALWAYS boot to the CD to create a new image and NEVER do it in Windows. This is because new program versions are backward compaible, i.e. can read files created by earlier versions, but by definition cannot be forward compatible.

HTH

 

Hi Earthling!! I think we are confusing two different things. Macrium has you make a rescue Linux CD which allows you to boot into Macrium so you can restore a image to a working drive. You can not restore a back image of a operating OS while it is in use. You use the rescue CD to boot into Macrium which then allows you to restore your back up image of your OS. There are a lot of ways to restore data to your active drive, but you can only restore the whole OS by booting with the rescue CD. It's best to create your back ups on a external USB and not CD's or DVD's You can mount a image in Windows Explorer with Macrium and copy and paste but you need the Linux CD; unless you have the paid version, to restore a back up image of your OS.
I hope I have worded this right. I do better with screen shots:-D

Hi Earthling!! My images are all under 10GB, but I run a lean mean XP3 machine:-D:-D No frills and no garbage. Buy a 1TB usb and you will never fill it up:-D

 

I know precisely how Macrium, and all other popular imaging programs work, so let's get that understood right now. If you create an image of your OS while running the Windows version of your backup program and subsequently attempt to restore that image when booted to your CD, and if the Windows program contained updates that have changed, even slightly, the image file format then your CD may not be able to read that image file and your backup file is useless.

If you want to be certain your backup will be recoverable should it be needed then it is necessary to make a new CD with each update or new version of the installed program. A CD made with an earlier version may or may not be able to recover an image, there is no guarantee.

btw, being able to boot the Linux/PE version off the hard disk is fine, I do that too with a capability to boot iso files directly off the hard disk, but that means nothing if your hard disk develops a problem. So the key to all this is a working, up-to-date CD.

 

Hi peterr! I searched Macrium forum and the way I understand it, it would be a good idea to make a new Linux rescue disk after each patch, but I really don't think it's necessary. If you don't mind, I would prefer talking about Macrium through email. CD's are cheap and it's not worth taking a chance of not being able to boot into Macrium and getting your PC back up and running. As I have stated I have the paid version and I do not need the rescue CD. I started using Macrium Reflect soon after it was released. Back then they would answer your questions even though you did not have the paid version. I have been a satisfied customer for a very long time. I found this answer but it's not from Macrium forum. I will keep looking. I will post a thread on Macrium forum asking this question and send you answer in a email.
http://www.sevenforums.com/724945-post2.html

 

Thaanx for the link; it was informative.
I sent you an email as a test and hope you received it.
Peter

 

Hi friend!! I got your email and sent you one. I have posted a thread on Macrium forum asking if a new CD is required after up dates. Will post the reply here on MG.

Hi peterr! This post is for you my friend, but I hope it will help other members.
I was helping a friend who couldn't see a drive in Windows Explorer. I went into disk management and made a secondary drive active that didn't have a working OS on it just to see what would happen. All hell broke lose and things went down hill in a hurry . I some how managed to corrupt both my drives to the point that Macrium would not restore a back up image. I had about 8 of them, but Macrium would not restore any of them. Luckily i had a slip stream CD of XP3. I used it to get back to the rolling hills. You know the one with one icon(recycle bin):-D. I then used disk management to reformat one HD. I put the reformatted drive in place of the rolling hills and Macrium restored my OS just like it was the day I created the image. I then reformatted the rolling hills drive and restored the image to it and it is now in a drawer safe in my desk where my PC sets.
I think I may know a little bit about Macrium and how to use it to get my PC back up and going.
What do you think my friend?? Do I know any thing?? I 'm considered the guy to ask about Macrium on another forum. I'm willing to share all I know here on MG. It maybe not very much but it's free:-D:-D

 

I have your email address and thank you for it.
It sounds as though you know your way around not just Macrium but the pc in general. Hats off to you.
I am still in elementary school compared to you.
I hope you find time to help people like myself here in MGs as I am sure there are a lot more needers than givers so to speak.
Have a god one.
Peter

 

Hi peterr!! Here is your reply from Macrium forum.
Thank you for your kind words my friend. If I can help you with Macrium, just holler.
http://support.macrium.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3414
I have a different user name on Macrium forum. I'm garybear!! I'm a man with many names. LOL

 

Hi!! I have all three rescue CD's.
Linux
Bart PE
Windows PE
I also have the option to boot into Macrium when ever I restart my PC as shown in the screenshot on my earlier post. Macrium can be a little contrary at times but has never failed me yet. My neighbor is a computer geek. He has two desk and two lap tops. He says Macrium is the only back up program that makes a true clone. I don't know if that if true.
Can I ask you a question Peter?? Can you mount a image in Windows Explorer and copy and paste data with Arconis?? You can with Macrium and I really like that feature We can talk about it in email if you like. We are going to get hollered at soon for being off topic.

 

I stared with Ccleaner and we went to registry backup and now Macrium.
You are right to not violatate the rules. Why don't we just start a new thread, that way others will learn what is said about Macrium?
It seems most of the pros favor Acronis if I am not mistaken and I would say I have seen it be able to do everything any other program can do.
A friend of he family has a business and it is all about pcs. he uses Acronis but unlike me, he uses all of it. He emails himself reminders etc.
Btw, I asked how to back up the Win 7 registry without erunt and was given a referral which discussed backing up keys but not the entire registry. That is what I am looking for.

 

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=235429

Hi peterr! There is already a thread about Macrium!! There isn't much interest. I started a thread a long time ago, but you can start another.

 

Hi one eye
Thank you for the offer to contact you regarding the use of the Macrium forum as you have the paid version.
For now I am all set.
I am still asking about backing up the entire registry without erunt but no luck so far.
Peter

 

Hi peterr!! If I understanding LauraR, and I'm pretty sure I do. You only post here if your having a problem with software. All the geeks that answer these posts already know about all the software unless it's some thing new: so unless your having a problem with software, you won't get many responses. Your thread was great and I'm glad you got every thing answered. I'm still learning about the forum also. I'm glad I could be of some help. That makes me very happy. Gary!!

 

>>Hello Laura
I think I am supposed to start a new thrread regarding backing up the registry without erunt.
If I am worng please correct me.
Peter