Registry Cleaner

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Ed - 27 Jun 2007 04:02 GMT

I have a computer that has WinXP Pro (up-to-date) on it. I'm going to give
it to a relative but I first have to uninstall all of the software licensed
to my company. After I un-install these applications, is there a reliable
tool for cleaning out obsolete entries in the registry? Before XP, I used to
run RegClean but I haven't found a satisfactory registry cleaner for XP yet.

I thought about just re-formatting the C drive and re-installing but this
computer has an early retail copy of WinXP Pro. I don't want to to
re-install and then try to figure out how to get SP2 in order to be able to
use Windows Update to get the rest of the updates. I tried doing that with
a WinXP Home computer a couple of months ago and had quite a few problems as
a result.

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Leonard Grey - 27 Jun 2007 05:09 GMT

Hi Ed:

What do you think you will accomplish by "cleaning out obsolete entries
in the registry"? Okay, that's a trick question, because the answer is:
nothing.

Forget registry cleaners. You should be worrying about personal files.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

> I have a computer that has WinXP Pro (up-to-date) on it. I'm going to give
> it to a relative but I first have to uninstall all of the software licensed
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> a WinXP Home computer a couple of months ago and had quite a few problems as
> a result.

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Ken Blake, MVP - 27 Jun 2007 16:44 GMT

> I have a computer that has WinXP Pro (up-to-date) on it. I'm going to give
> it to a relative but I first have to uninstall all of the software licensed
> to my company. After I un-install these applications, is there a reliable
> tool for cleaning out obsolete entries in the registry? Before XP, I used to
> run RegClean but I haven't found a satisfactory registry cleaner for XP yet.

I strongly recommend *against* the use of registry cleaners. Routine
cleaning of the registry isn't needed and is dangerous. Leave the
registry alone and don't use any registry cleaner. Despite what many
people think, and what vendors of registry cleaning software try to
convince you of, having unused registry entries doesn't really hurt
you.

The risk of a serious problem caused by a registry cleaner erroneously
removing an entry you need is far greater than any potential benefit
it may have.

> I thought about just re-formatting the C drive and re-installing but this
> computer has an early retail copy of WinXP Pro. I don't want to to
> re-install and then try to figure out how to get SP2 in order to be able to
> use Windows Update to get the rest of the updates. I tried doing that with
> a WinXP Home computer a couple of months ago and had quite a few problems as
> a result.

I would reformat and reinstall anyway. If it were me, and I acquired a
used computer, the first thing I would do with it would be to
reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea how the
computer has been maintained, what has been installed incorrectly,
what is missing, what viruses and spyware there may be, etc. I
wouldn't want to live with somebody else's mistakes and problems,
possibility of kiddie porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend that anyone
else do either.

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Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User
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John Barnett MVP - 27 Jun 2007 17:39 GMT

Where registry cleaners are concerned the best advice is to leave well
alone.

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John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
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The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
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>I have a computer that has WinXP Pro (up-to-date) on it. I'm going to give
> it to a relative but I first have to uninstall all of the software
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> as
> a result.

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Ron Martell - 27 Jun 2007 20:27 GMT

>I have a computer that has WinXP Pro (up-to-date) on it. I'm going to give
>it to a relative but I first have to uninstall all of the software licensed
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>a WinXP Home computer a couple of months ago and had quite a few problems as
>a result.

I suggest that you reconsider the reformat and clean install option.
It is your best way of getting the machine properly cleaned up and
ensuring that your software and personal data is removed.

Begin by downloading the complete Service Pack 2 from
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245
-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
and burn it to a CD.

Now you have two options, and both will take about the same amount of
time:
1. Create a new installation CD with Service Pack 2 slipstreamed into
it.
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49

Then install XP from the newly created CD.

or

2. Install your original XP. Make sure the computer is not connected
to the Internet. Then install Service Pack 2 from the CD you
created.

Then connect the computer to the Internet and get the Post-SP2 updates
and install them. Or you can leave this step for the new owner.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

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Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
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has never been in bed with a mosquito."

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