Looking for a Reg Edit program

[Kyocera]

I have read all the "dangers" of messing with the registry, however, I have two HD's per machine and have found the best way to learn anything is to try and fix something, screw it up then spend days fixing the fix. I've learned a lot this way.

I am searching for a registry program or publications to teach the basic of reg edit, I am willing to spend a few bucks for t a good reg edit program. Checked out Resplendence last night and am not sure if it is what i am looking for. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[GomJabbar]

I just use regedt32 that comes with WindowXP and Windows 2000. Microsoft includes (2) registry editing programs regedit and regedt32. Regedit is easier and faster, but does not have full functionality. You can only change permissions with regedt32, and sometimes to delete a key you have to change the permissions first.

To use either of the above programs, go to Start > Run, and type in either regedt32 or regedit and hit Enter.

[Kyocera]

Gombjabber, thanks for the reply, the only thing is I need some literature describing the keys and how to edit for max performance. I want to be able to get rid of orphans from software drivers I load and delete a lot for my job.

[GomJabbar]

As regards to registry editing literature, I really haven't read anything very useful. Just kind of figured things out as I go along. Luckily I haven't hosed my system yet.

I've manually deleted keys usually after a bad driver install. I would search for a key name, for instance Epson or AOL. Once I determined I did not need the key, I would delete it.

A much easier solution is to use a registry cleaner program. I now have Norton System Works which includes Win Doctor. Win Doctor scans for registry orphans (among other things) and gives you the option for repair (which may mean delete). There are other registry cleaners out there. McAfee has one. I really don't have any specific ones to recommend though.

[bill bolton]

> I am willing to spend a few bucks for t a good reg edit program.

I use Registry First Aid and have been very happy with it.

See.... http://www.rosecitysoftware.com/Reg1Aid/

Cheers,

Bill

[fschwep]

As GomJabber says, Norton WinDoctor is OK to find a lot of registry orphans and related problems. Be careful though, it tends to 'repair' entries by searching for a file with same name as the one mentioned in the faulty entry, and if it finds one (some help files or drivers of radically different apps may have similar or identical names) its first solution may be to rewrite the registry entry to point to that other file (which may also be in the waste bin, or on an external drive or USB key, for instance). If you use WinDoctor, first clean out the waste bin, disconnect external drives and USB keys, clean up the list of recent documents in the start menu, and choose the option to determine the repair method manually after it has finished scanning for problems.
Nowadays WnDoctor is part of SystemWorks, which includes Norton AV. IN my opinion it is wise to install SystemWorks without NAV (which may mean actively de-installing it from Windows, after which WinDoctor is certain to find a lot of leftover stuff...) .
WinDoctor does not find everything though.

[oversky]

The search in Resplendence is much much faster than regedit.

I have read all the "dangers" of messing with the registry, however, I have two HD's per machine and have found the best way to learn anything is to try and fix something, screw it up then spend days fixing the fix. I've learned a lot this way.

I am searching for a registry program or publications to teach the basic of reg edit, I am willing to spend a few bucks for t a good reg edit program. Checked out Resplendence last night and am not sure if it is what i am looking for. Any suggestions? Thanks!