System Mechanic

[Guest]

[Someone]

Cleaning the registry with automated tools is always a risk. Choose those that can backup, and provide the best information about what you're cleaning. I prefer other tools.
IMO, in Windows, one should use ZSoft Uninstaller (freeware) to analyze installations - even if they require reboot, you open ZSoft after, and select to finish the task; it will spot all changes made to the system - and when you want to uninstall, it will clean almost everything and as safe as i can think.
http://www.zsoft.dk/

Another utility of GREAT use is ERUNT, that allows you to backup the whole registry, and restore backups when you want. You can also set it to backup on every boot (does not slow the boot process in a visible way). It stores backups with the date on the name of backup folders, so it's easy to find (in manual backup you can choose a name too). Everything you need to know about it is in the readme (easy to read). One imediate use is when you try a program and uninstall it right after. Backup before, and restore it after - the registry is unchanged.
It also comes with another good tool, NTREGOPT, that compacts the registry (add PageDefrag from SysInternals to defrag it besides other things, and you're set for registry maintenance).
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/PageDefrag.mspx

Hope this helps someone.

[LeoniAquila]

Hope this helps someone.

Thanks, I'll consider PageDefrag, otherwise I'm fine with my programs and routines. Remember JkDefrag you once suggested? I use it on demand now, really like it.

/LA

[Someone]

Nice
About PageDefrag: it will assist JKDefrag in defragging what is locked by the OS while it's running. You run it, then reboot, and before Windows kicks in, PageDefrag does the work. It's fast don't worry.

One of the limitations of the Windows NT/2000 defragmentation interface is that it is not possible to defragment files that are open for exclusive access. Thus, standard defragmentation programs can neither show you how fragmented your paging files or Registry hives are, nor defragment them. Paging and Registry file fragmentation can be one of the leading causes of performance degradation related to file fragmentation in a system.

From SysInternals.

I use those 3: PageDefrag, JKDefrag and NTREGOPT.
Then ERUNT backs up the registry every boot. ZSoft will help keeping it clean from all those installs and uninstalls (provided you remember to analyze the installs). I uninstall with the normal uninstaller  that comes with the apps, then run Zsoft to remove what got left behind.
IMPORTANT NOTE: be sure to confirm every delete; that's the default option. Example: i use EULAlyzer to analyse EULA's, and save the EULA's. That counts as a change, so be sure to confirm every item.

[Soyabeaner]

Yes, but some official uninstallers from a program sometimes adds files/registry keys after its completed its task (I call them sneaky programs).  If you want to be safe, you should also run Zsoft with the pre-image before running their uninstaller, then open the list of changes and manually delete the added crap.

Ok, this is straying off from System Mechanic, so let's not dwell any further into other programs.

[Someone]

Sorry Soya, point taken.

[rafield54]

System Mechanic Professional 7 is suppose to be a one stop system maintaining software package; But unfortunately it has several flaws, Their Firewall sucks it has so many flaws it can’t stop a simple attack let alone a major one. That’s why I got COMODO Firewall Pro and not had a problem since.  Also I use CCleaner v 2.01 over their registry maintaining software.  But their Package is not all bad; the Incinerator, DriveScrubber 3, Search and Recover 4 and Memory Manager work OK. Also the System Guard; after some tweaks works pretty good. But I feel if COMODO group put their minds to creating a one stop system program it would be a Totally Bullet Proof System!!! 

[pregister]

System Mechanic 6 was a good product in some ways.After that they got lost.It did indeed become dangerous.It went in to the system way to deep and was almost impossible to remove.Comodo is the bomb for security,would hate to see them not concentrate at what they do best. There are plenty of free programs on the net that work for the other things needed to keep your computer in tip top shape.AMS fastdefrag2 comes to mind,winaso trial version fixes registry forever  ten problems at a time, but hey if Comodo built it I would try it. That was a great suggestion.   
                                                       pregister

[John buchanan]

This might be an old post I am responding to, (and no disrespect to Comodo,) but Quwen is quite correct as this is a function of maintenance, not security.  If I may suggest, Tuneup Utilities 2008 (found at www.tune-up.com) by Tuneup Software GmbH is the product being requested here.  It is not free, but it is superb at what it can do.  No, I do not work for them, but I do highly recommend it as a utility-based program.  Issues of security from any (deleted) files can be addressed with their  Tuneup Shredder module, which uses the DoD 5220.2-M method of file destruction.  Registry cleanup and optimization is part of the system, as is a complete Windows makeover (Styler).  This software has helped me many times.
I would hope this fully closes this issue so that Comodo may continue doing what they do best - Security.

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