Hi Guys,

Someone recommended Glary Utilities to me which I downloaded and ran. Is it any good? What actually does it do?

Many thanks.

which I downloaded and ran. Is it any good? What actually does it do?

It seems finding out if good or what it does is something you should have asked before downloading and running!

I recommend you punch it into Google and read up on it. I will say this. Like many of these type programs that make promises of great improvements in performance, etc., etc., I don't recommend them to fix a broken computer. Rather they are better at helping to keep a working computer working smoothly. But then, keeping Windows updated and current will keep it working smoothly too. So why use them? I don't.

Glary's also has a Registry cleaner. There is much debate, with notable experts on both sides, as to whether Registry cleaners are of any use or not. Microsoft pulled theirs many years ago, and has made no official (or unofficial) stance on their use. Many sites forbid even discussing them because Registry cleaners have a history of causing irreversible damage, with no real evidence they do any measurable good.

My position is again, they are not to fix a broken computer. And while it is true there have been cases of irreversible damage, those are rare exceptions, especially today as the Registry cleaner makers have improved their products over the years too. So while there is still debate over the benefits of using a Registry cleaner, I believe the "excuse" to avoid them because they might cause more harm than good is no longer valid - with one MAJOR exception - if you try to run a Registry cleaner on a broken Windows, more harm is a greater possibility.

I use the Registry cleaner in CCleaner. Glary's is more aggressive, which scares me. It is not as aggressive as RegSeeker or some of the others, however. I often install and uninstall large applications for testing or whatever. I frequently swap out hardware components and drivers for testing and evaluations. I will often use a cleaner after making these changes. But most users are not swapping in and out hardware or major applications. So most users will not benefit, IMO from their use.

That said, I have never seen a Registry cleaner make any noticeable improvements in performance. At best, it has improved boot times for me, but I only boot when I have to, which may be many days or weeks apart. And most people boot once a day, so what's an extra 20 seconds?

As for Glary specifically, it is a legitimate program - that is, if downloaded from an authorized site, it does not contain malware. It probably will not harm your system, but if you keep Windows updated and patched, you use a good anti-malware solution, and you avoid illegal or risky practices, you don't need. it.

Hi again Digerati,

Thank you for that very full and most helpful reply. I am going to uninstall Glary.

I know a wee bit about these things but not much. I use Microsoft Security Essentials and I use CC Cleaner. With regard to your response, what is a good anti-malware solution and is there anything else I need?

Well, I use MSE too and like it very much. I also use Windows Firewall, Secunia PSI and my computer is sitting behind a router with NAT. Finally, I keep my systems updated and I avoid risky behavior. See my sticky, Practicing Safe Computing.

Thanks, Digerati - I will study that.

Thanks again.