Registry clean-out program?

[Kryptonite]

Over the years, i've installed and uninstalled a ton of programs. However, despite the fact that Windows "removes this program and all of it's components", there are still a TON of registry entries in my system which I don't really think I need.

Is there a program that can search the registry for entries to programs which I no longer have, and automatically remove these obsolete entries? I -think- Norton had one, but I had to dump it on account of being too much of a resource hog.

[Boundzy]

Two free programs you could try are CCleaner 2.07.575 (http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-2144_4-10315544.html?tag=lst-0-1&cdlPid=10837066) and TweakNow RegCleaner Standard 3.0.1 (http://www.download.com/TweakNow-RegCleaner-Standard/3000-2094_4-10262639.html?tag=lst-1&cdlPid=10628251).

[JeremyEritrea]

Two free programs you could try are CCleaner 2.07.575 (http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-2144_4-10315544.html?tag=lst-0-1&cdlPid=10837066) and TweakNow RegCleaner Standard 3.0.1 (http://www.download.com/TweakNow-RegCleaner-Standard/3000-2094_4-10262639.html?tag=lst-1&cdlPid=10628251).

I use CCLeaner myself. It does exactly what I need.

[Motterman]

Here's a great site to get everything mentioned above, and more:

http://filehippo.com/

[Forza_Totti]

I use Ccleaner....very good program and free.

[Rima067]

Just supporting the CCleaner claims!

[Kryptonite]

I took the advice from the CCleaner people. It seems to do the job ok.

[Motterman]

I took the advice from the CCleaner people. It seems to do the job ok.

Sometimes you need to run the registry scan/removal tool a few times to clear everything out, btw.

[Kryptonite]

Sometimes you need to run the registry scan/removal tool a few times to clear everything out, btw.

I've noticed that. I'll run it until it can't find anything. Not a problem, though.

But how necessary is it to back up changes to the registry? I'm starting to have quite a list of backup files and am getting ready to delete some of the older ones.

[Motterman]

I've noticed that. I'll run it until it can't find anything. Not a problem, though.

But how necessary is it to back up changes to the registry? I'm starting to have quite a list of backup files and am getting ready to delete some of the older ones.

I've never had to revert, personally, and I work on this kind of stuff all the time. But if it's a customer's PC, I'll save a backup everytime. Myself, I might save the first one, but just skip the 2nd and 3rd passes...

[fdp]

Thanks for the tip about CCleaner.

So I take it that it's safe to run without backing up the registry.

Can the backups be deleted at a later date?

[Motterman]

Can the backups be deleted at a later date?

Yes, just put the backup somewhere you won't forget it if you need it later...

But really, with System Restore, you might not bother with it anyways...

[Forza_Totti]

I've never used the backup registry...i think i may of once the first item i used it, but never again.

I used to use "Amust" registry cleaner as well.