[*Hart*]

Hi,

I have Windows XP Pro x64. I use a registry cleaner daily. I was having boot-up problems and my computer would freeze often after it's been on for more than a day so I did a Windows Repair. The Repair resolved those problems. Could it be that the registry cleaner removed items from my registry that were needed and that caused my pc problems?

[starbuck]

Hi *Hart*

It's very possible.
Registry cleaners have been known to cause more damage than they cure.
The registry is a very finely balanced thing, If a registry cleaner removes something by mistake it can cause big problems.
I never advise anyone to use a registry cleaner ..... especially daily! (that is asking for trouble).

[1101doc]

I have never read a post from anyone who said that running a Registry cleaner corrected any problem (at all). I have read many(many) posts that began "this all started after I used XYZ Cleaner (insert your choice- all are mentioned one time or another).

There is simply no empirical evidence that using a Registy cleaner in XP or Vista provides any significant benefit to the user. They do pose a serious risk.

XP does not 'stumble' over "invalid" Registry entries, it skips right past them. While some Windows versions of the past did benefit from cleaning the Registry, XP (and Vista) do not.

Mark Russinovich, founder of Winternals (now Sysinternals), author of many terrific Windows informational programs like the famous Process Explorer, and now a senior member of the Microsoft staff shares this view. Read his response to Bill Castner's question about Registry Cleaners:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-xp/61015...y-cleaners.html

Mark Russinovich knows Windows (and especially XP) better than almost anyone else. I take him at his word.

Ed Bott has been a tech writer, blogger and Windows enthusiast for over 20 years. He has interviewed and investigated all things Microsoft and reported them accurately and clearly to the public. His is a voice that the industry respects and listens to. I hope you will listen as well: http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=643

Tech Republic also conclusively weighed in against Registry Cleaners in this article by Mike Mullins in 2007: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security...amp;tag=nl.e138

It doesn't get any clearer- Registry cleaners are "snake oil." Don't use them. They provide no discernable benefit to the user and offer potential to do great damage to your Windows installation.

Just say "NO!" to Registry cleaners.

What should be done about the Registry?
Back it up: http://www.5starsupport.com/ipboard/index....showtopic=12526

[*Hart*]

Thanks very much for your replies. It seems like such a good thing to clean your registry and it made me feel that it was "oiling" my pc, but I didn't realize it was snake oil.

I won't be using the registry cleaner again.

Much appreciated.

[1101doc]

Excellent. We do recommend that everyone use ERUNT. Put it to work for you today, OK?