registry cleaner/defragmenter and adware blockers

[allen]

is there a universal agreement on what software to use for registry cleaning and defragmenting? i doubt it, but i'm curious to see what everyone here thinks is the best option so you never have to do a clean reinstall.

i've been using Advanced System Optimizer from Systweak for the last couple years, pretty happy with it, but i'm pretty sure it changed a couple things in my registry that i've never been able to fix, if i have my sound options set to make a sound when starting a navigation(i.e. hitting back, fwd, or opening a link, etc.) closing the window in IE or Windows Explorer is now somehow is seen as starting a navigation and the sound is made. other small things like that.

but, ASO in addition to "registry cleaner and fixer", and "registry optimizer and defragger", also has:
- "system and disk cleaner" that is like Disk Cleanup in WinXP, but can do all drives at once.
- "startup cleaner and autorun manager," although i use startup monitor and startup control panel from http://www.mlin.net instead
- and a bunch of other stuff i dont really use

so what's the verdict, i feel like most here have researched this much more than i have and use something they feel is the best combination

shall i ask what the most highly recommended adware blocking software are in this same thread as well?

are we all ever [censored] that pc's have such dumb issues, and macs "don't" ?

[goofyGAguy]

I have been using the following programs for a while now, and I'm pretty happy with them. For the money, you can't beat 'em!


registry cleaner: ccleaner
defrag: AusLogics Disk Defrag
Adware: SpywareBlaster

[Musti]

are we all ever [censored] that pc's have such dumb issues, and macs "don't" ?

I have been using numerous Macs for the last ten years...Macs have other types of problems, some very hard core. The places I can get support are way too limited in comparison to a Windows/PC problem, I learned to figure things on my own. Yes, there are less spyware/virus problems or security concerns (thanks, UNIX). But the internals are so closed. For example, if you're bothered by fan noise, there's nothing you can do but to sit and wait for an update from Apple. Here, you use Shimodax's fan utility. Or write your own.

For me the criterion is how easily I can get a fresh system installed and running in case the system misbehaves. It is much faster with a Mac. Oh, and there is not a Registry. Mind you, it is both an advantage, and a disadvantage (configuration vs. closedness).

Becoming more platform-agnostic is the best thing you can do to your computing habits. Gives ultimate flexibility.

[christopher_wolf]

The programs that have done exceptionally well on all my systems for that, and are what I use personally, are CCleaner (Reg cleaner), Registry First Aid (Deep Reg Cleaner), and PerfectDisk 8 (Excellent defragmenter). All of those, except for CCleaner, require some money to be spent, but they are well worth it.

[ronbo613]

I agree on CCleaner, a nice little program. For spyware, I use SpywareBlaster to help with prevention and Adaware for detection and cleanup.
Can't offer any suggestions for the defragger, I use XP's.

[allen]

for defragmenting HD's, i just use the winXP one, i try to keep the amount of software installed on my computer to a minimum. but i meant defragmenting registry, sounded like a good thing, i guess it's not helpful or necessary?

when i first found advanced system optimizer (ASO) i thought it was the best find yet. but, then all the guru's here have never mentioned it...

why do you need or want 2 diff programs for reg cleaner and DEEP reg cleaner? can't one program do both?

do you really need a spy/ad ware blocker that is constantly running in the bg? or just a cleaner to run on a schedule. and again why have 2 programs to do it, why not just one.

sometimes i really wish i were more ignorant about computers so it'd be easier to be satisfied with a closed and dumbed down mac.
for example i could just live with a fan annoyance instead of learning the inner workings of a system, sorry, just rambling

thanks!

[beeblebrox]

Best tools are:

Registry mechanic (extremely deep scanning!)

O&O defrag

way better than CrapCleaner(CCleaner) and Windows defrag.

[ambientscape]

Best tools are:

Registry mechanic (extremely deep scanning!)

O&O defrag

way better than CrapCleaner(CCleaner) and Windows defrag.

I couldn't agree more! CCleaner is crap, dude! Registry Mechanic the best!

[covertash]

Best tools are:

Registry mechanic (extremely deep scanning!)

O&O defrag

way better than CrapCleaner(CCleaner) and Windows defrag.

Haha. I use both those programs as well too! Both are very fast and good at what they do. After optimizing my system with both tools my load times improved very nicely.

For spyware, I use Spybot Search & Destroy and sometimes Adaware, which are free or offer a free version.

As an aside, I also use small control panels called TweakUI and Startup. TweakUI helps basically tweak lots of different settings from automatically deleting Recent Documents off your start menu to repairing various things like your Temporary Internet Files folder, etc. Basically a lot of nifty things that you probably wouldn't have thought to play around with. Startup is pretty self explanatory as it lists what programs load at startup and gives you the flexibility of deleting or unchecking things from loading. Both of which I find to also aid in optimizing my system. Not to mention both are free as well!

[allen]

Yes, there are less spyware/virus problems or security concerns (thanks, UNIX). But the internals are so closed.

Becoming more platform-agnostic is the best thing you can do to your computing habits. Gives ultimate flexibility.

hey musti,
this question probably requires a more than quick answer, but wouldnt microsoft make a version of windows based on UNIX to make it more secure?

and, by platform agnostic, it sounds like you mean getting to know all platforms, for ultimate flexibility. i thought agnostic meant not knowing, as in know less, which sometimes i think would be better, because when you know less, you're easier to please. like if i didn't know better, i could use a mac and have it be closed off and dumbed down, not have to know how to fix things and what registry cleaners to get, and be happy with it.

[Musti]

hey musti,
this question probably requires a more than quick answer, but wouldnt microsoft make a version of windows based on UNIX to make it more secure?

Certainly they could. But they won't. Who would in their right mind scrap years of development on an OS and the accompanying office suite that accounts for 1/3 of their profits and go for something new?

and, by platform agnostic, it sounds like you mean getting to know all platforms, for ultimate flexibility. i thought agnostic meant not knowing, as in know less, which sometimes i think would be better, because when you know less, you're easier to please. like if i didn't know better, i could use a mac and have it be closed off and dumbed down, not have to know how to fix things and what registry cleaners to get, and be happy with it.

I must have used the "agnostic" term to sound cool or something, sorry about that. Agnostic, in brief sense is someone who "is doubtful or noncommittal" about something. I am not agnostic at all...especially after having used computers for 20 years, when I say that Mac OS X is superior to any other system on the planet, I am not agnostic. However, when I can use any OS to get my job done, that makes me flexible. Hope this clears things up a bit, before I further hijack the thread.

[allen]

ah yes, i got what you're saying, who knows if i even had the definition of agnostic right, or if it's the only definition, anyhow, i def got what you're saying, and i also feel i can get the job done w/ OSX as well as WinXPP... but, so much more efficiently with XP, and everyone expects the opposite because i make a living off photography. i wont go into it here.

thanks!