Registry Protection

Here's my situation....i like to install/try a lot of different programs.What is the best way to go about protecting my computer?I use Opera,have Nod32 and look n stop firewall,ms antispy,spybot etc....but I feel need somthing more.I also have trouble understanding regdefend and processguard.Is there a more simple way to protect my registry?Something to set and forget or is easier to understand?I have also read that registry cleaners do more harm than good(I have first hand experience as well....deleted a lot of wrong stuff with Tuneup Utilities)Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Thank you Corporal.....seems like a very useful program.....