I have the following utility software installed on a laptop ...

Kaspersky Internet Security v7.0
Cyberscrub Privacy Suite
Acronis True Image 10

Can you recommend a top registry cleaner (not just because it's free but because it's really good).

Considering the above, what other preventative software should I have installed.

Rannoch

Hi Rannoch. I moved your post a little because only a few HJT log analyst can reply to posts in that forum.

In spite of what you read, registry cleaners are not the magic pill their makers, and some users, would have you believe. The damage they can cause often far outweighs the good.

Some cleaners are very aggressive, often too aggressive - and the makers may pride themselves on how many items their program identifies. I will not use those. It is important to note that unneeded stuff in the registry does no harm and has an insignificant impact, if any, on performance. Corrupt entries are the problem, and that can usually be corrected by a simple repair/reinstall of the offending program.

Poorly designed uninstall programs that fail to completely remove all traces of the program are the biggest offenders, and a simple registry cleaner can take care of that.

I use the registry cleaner in CCleaner for a couple reasons. (1) It is not over aggressive and (2) It always prompts you to backup the registry before making any changes - always a wise precaution.

As for any other tools, it seems you are covered, though I don't know if KIS has a spam blocker. You did not specify your OS so may be a factor. You might check out my canned text, Cleaning Out Malware to make sure you are covered.

I agree with Digerati, CCleaner is a good one i use often.

As Registry Cleaning has always been an interest of mine (no idea why) I will add my canned reply to the topic:


The Registry is constantly changing as you use your computer. Many temporary settings are recorded so having a recurrence of errors is not uncommon. Rather it is common. Unused file extensions or MRU entries will always recur.

That being said: the first time that you ever use a cleaner you will probably get several hundred hits.

If you cleanup regularly you will always find some.

Cleaners vary on how deep they dig.

I use this freeware which is a moderate digger:

RegSeeker

A deep digger is jv 16 PowerTools

The current version needs to be purchased but you can still get the old freeware version here:

http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=jv16

Before using any cleaner you should back up your registry.

ERUNT is a great free tool for that:

[ERUNT] Registry Backup and Restore for Windows
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/


[ERUNT Download URLs]
http://www.aumha.org/downloads/erunt.zip
http://www.aumha.org/downloads/erunt-setup.exe


[Installing & Using ERUNT]
http://www.winxptutor.com/regback.htm
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_eruntuse.html
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-on...runt/erunt.txt


Hope this helps.

Ditto jephree. I use both RegSeeker and Erunt. RegSeeker (defaults) to a registry key backup for everything it removes, "just in case". I've never had a problem with it, for a few years now. I just occasionally delete these registry key backups as they build in occupied disk space. (Twice a year maybe.)

I have read (in various forums) though, that some people describe what Digerati states as far as problems go with it. However, I cannot see how things like this occur without some sort of "Operater Intervention". Maybe it's a combination of several cleaners being run in conjunction. ?????

Thanks for the advice.

The OS is Vista Ultimate

The tools have been purchased over a period of time, so more by accident than design.

I forgot to include MailWasher which I use as a spam filter. I let First Alert expire. Is it worthwhile renewing the licence.

I'll try the registry cleaners advised.

Thanks again, very helpful.

Regards,

Rannoch

I've been using MailWasher Pro for many years, without FA - so I don't think you need FA. It might catch a few spam messages, but I don't see it catching many more than what MW does on it's own, with a couple of my filters thrown in. That said, you can always let it expire and see if it makes a difference for you.

Tried CCleaner, and used the registry backup before removal of items.
Then ran Regseeker, and it highlighted 8500+ items which ccleaner had not picked up - most are path or extension issues.

I ran both a few days later, and same result (8500+ more errors highlighted in regseeker))
Machine seems a little faster, certainly at boot and close down.

Easy to run both with ccleaner doing the backup before any removals.

Rannoch

" (8500+ more errors highlighted in regseeker)"

In RegSeeker, are you "selecting all" & deleting all"?