Are registry cleaners such as CCleaner good for your computer? Should I be using them? I have a friend who swears by them and says they keep your computer running smoothly, and rid it of excess junk.

I know defragging is good periodically as well (I use Defraggler). So, is CCleaner worth it? Is there something better (that is still free)?

Thanks in advance.

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soli Deo gloria!
~Nicholas~ Ordained Pastor
Member, Fulton PCA; GPTS Student
Christians are like snow covered dung; it is the purity of the covering which the Father sees. -Luther-
There is nothing more ugly than a Christian orthodoxy without understanding or without compassion.
-Francis Schaeffer-

I use Iolo System Mechanic, I think it works great in keeping my computer running much better.

iolo technologies - The PC Tune-Up Experts

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Bobbi Clark
Covenant Member
Pinewood Pres. (PCA) Middleburg

When I kept Silent, My bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. Psalm 32:3

I've used CCleaner and it seems to work well. Hasn't caused any problems, at least.
To be precise, it has two functions--one strips out garbage like cookies, temp files, etc.
That is probably the best use of the software. Basically it will free up a bunch of RAM memory, and may improve computer function.

The other function is the registry cleaner. I'm always just a bit nervous about using this feature, but have used it. Do make sure to backup the files, just in case. The software has a prompt that allows you to do that.

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Wayne Sparkman, Th.M.
Director, PCA Historical Center, St. Louis, MO
Blogs: The Continuing Story and PCA History Blog

Yes and yes. They help keep things running more smoothly, just remember they are only one part of a good computer security / maintenance plan.

We talked about the different cleaners (most are free) a while back in this thread.

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Steve Butts - Former SBC-er
Three Forms of Unity - Bradenton CRCNA - Bradenton, Florida
(A conservative member in a conservative congregation)

"Turning away to false Theology is equal to turning away to false gods" — Francis Schaeffer (Death in the City)

If you've been installing and uninstalling stuff, then you should clean the registry. Depending on what is being cleaned it can have dramatic results, but more often it will have almost unnoticeable results. Of more effect is regular uninstallation of little-used software.

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Paul
No denomination, affiliated with FIEC
"Deliver me from worldly dispositions, for I am born from above and destined for glory" - Valley of Vision
"They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation" - Peter