Setup:
CCleaner was suggested for use on another forum and it sounds good so I'm quite interested...
But I try and be careful before adding any new software on my PC and competition between scecurity and utilities software creators seems to be keen.
I also worry about duplication of servides or features... having two programs installed... each trying to do the same thing... like Windows Firewall and Zone Alarm... for instance.
The first thing I do on a new PC is install Zone Alarm Free, turn off Windows Firewall (just bacaues I know ZA from prior usage) and then install AVG Free.
ZA lets me know any time any program is trying to access the net and let's me know when something on the net is attempting to access my PC... I like that.
Question1:
I always wonder about Free programs that are not adware (PDF995 for instance)... unless they give you the free version and occasionally nag you to upgrade to the paid version...
(I'm willing to live with AVG Free and ZA Free occasional nagging... and the popup ad on the occasional times I need to use PDF995 are fine with me... in fact I had rather have an advertiser pay for my service than me... like on radio and tv
So is CCleaner paid for by...
a - An occasional 3rd party ad or...
b - By an occasional nag by the developer or what?
c - Or, the deal breaker... by putting spyware on my PC?
And, are their any credible supporters? Kim Komando? Recent issue of PC Mag or other?
Question 2:
I've tried registry cleaners before and they come back with a...
- Here is something that we think shouldn't be in your registry...
- but you have to decide to take it out...
- and by the way if you take it out something else may no longer work...
- so do you want to take the chance or not? Click Remove or Continue.
And, how would one know what to do unless they were an expert??
Are users faced with this decision everytime they run CCleaner?
Question 3:
Does CCleaner duplicate any services already provided by Windows, Zone Alarm, or AVG?
Does it duplicate any services with Spybot S&D? (I'm considering this app as well)
I could just install CCleaner and try it but once some software gets on your machine... and in your registry... removing it never really seems to get rid of it all... so I'm just trying to be careful.
I really am very interested in finding a good reliable registry monitoring and cleaning program... so I look forward to all comments.
Finally, I heard Spybot will alert you everytime a program attempts to modify the registry... is that true? Or is that something CCleaner does? Or any other program?
Thanks for any help!
