CNET WISE REGISTRY CLEANER FREE

The accompanying Registry optimizer is just as quick and simple to use as the backup program. You can set the program to back up the Registry every time Windows starts, or create backups manually to the folder of your choice. Despite the program's name, it works with Windows 2000, XP, and Vista as well. Lars Hederer's Emergency Recovery Utility NT program has been saving Windows users' bacon for many years. It seems the times I need it most are the times System Restore is most likely to crap out. Windows' built-in Registry backup utility is better than having no Registry backup at all, but just barely.

CNET WISE REGISTRY CLEANER FREE

The free CCleaner utility improves your PC's performance by removing unused and duplicate entries from the Windows Registry. Two nice extras are CCleaner's options for uninstalling programs on your system, and for clearing the temporary files and recent-file lists from Firefox, Office, Windows Media Player, and other popular apps. The program gives you the option to fix some or all of the problems it discovers, and before it starts the cleanup you can create a Registry backup so your system can be rolled back if something goes wrong. Piriform's popular Windows-optimization utility includes a Registry-scrubbing component that clears out old application paths, ActiveX controls, shared DLLs, fonts, icons, and other Registry detritus.

These four freebies will keep the Windows engine purring like a kitten. And considering the quality Registry freeware available, there's no reason you should rely on Windows to repair and recover from Registry-related problems. I gave up trusting Microsoft's own Registry safety net a long time ago. The last time Windows' System Restore failed on me, I didn't blink an eye.

Cnet wise registry cleaner