Bruce
Mon Aug 15 21:11:24 CDT 2005
RogerP wrote:
> I have read that Microsoft made changes in the Registry for WIN XP X64 Edition.
>
> My question; will Registry Cleaners designed for 32 Bit Windows be safe to
> use with 64 Bit Windows or is this another software package that we are going
> to have to wait for to make Win XP x64 really usable?
>
Considering that there's no such thing as a "safe" registry cleaner for
32-bit versions of WinXP, I can't imagine how you'd think they might be
OK to use on the 64-bit version.
What specific problem are you experiencing that you *know* beyond
all reasonable doubt will be fixed by using a registry cleaner? If you
do have a problem that is rooted in the registry, it would be far better
to simply edit (after backing up, of course) only the specific key(s)
and/or value(s) that are causing the problem. Why use a shotgun when a
scalpel will do the job? Additionally, the manually changing of one or
two registry entries is far less likely to have the dire consequences of
allowing an automated product to make multiple changes simultaneously.
The registry contains all of the operating system's "knowledge" of
the computer's hardware devices, installed software, the location of the
device drivers, and the computer's configuration. A misstep in the
registry can have severe consequences. One should not even turning
loose a poorly understood automated "cleaner," unless he is fully
confident that he knows *exactly* what is going to happen as a result of
each and every change. Having seen the results of inexperienced people
using automated registry "cleaners," I can only advise all but the most
experienced computer technicians (and/or hobbyists) to avoid them all.
Experience has shown me that such tools simply are not safe in the hands
of the inexperienced user.
The only thing needed to safely clean your registry is knowledge
and Regedit.exe. If you lack the knowledge and experience to maintain
your registry by yourself, then you also lack the knowledge and
experience to safely configure and use any automated registry cleaner,
no matter how safe they claim to be.
Further, no one has ever demonstrated, to my satisfaction, that the
use of an automated registry cleaner, particularly by an untrained,
inexperienced computer user, does any real good. There's certainly been
no empirical evidence offered to demonstrate that the use of such
products to "clean" WinXP's registry improves a computer's performance
or stability.
I always use Regedit.exe. I trust my own experience and judgment
far more than I would any automated registry cleaner. I strongly
encourage others to acquire the knowledge, as well.
> In addition, does Microsoft have a Registry Cleaner/Maintenance Tool, which
> I have not found?
>
No, because no one has ever demonstrated a true need for one, or proven
that any benefit is to be derived from using one.
--
Bruce Chambers
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