Youngbear

I am confused. I have recently purchased an HP Pavillion desktop tower loaded with Windows 7 64bit OS. I am getting conflicting reports to my question, should I defrag my Win. 7? I get information that Windows 7 is an SSD and they defrag themselves automatically with a program called Trim. I get information that defragging can actually harm an SSD system. Then I read that not all Windows 7 systems are set up to enable Trim even though they support it. I am not a sophisticated enough user to understand everything I am reading. On Vista I always ran a morning "quick" defrag once a day and I never had any problems. Do I or do I not defrag Windows 7? I need a solid, "basic" answer. Thank you and I appreciate your time, YB

Thank you! I was under the impression that Ccleaner does a more thorough job than my emptying the box myself or with the mail program's setting. Perhaps I was mistaken and never really needed to do it through Ccleaner to begin with. I appreciate your info - again, thanks!

My motherboard blew - system 6 years old - so, bought new one. Had to reload Ccleaner. I used to have a way of telling the program to automatically clean my "Deleted" box, but I have forgotten what that was. I remember putting something in the "included" box so that the program would just clean it out along with everything else - that was with Windows Mail. Now I am using Win. 7 and Windows Live Mail. Anyone remember how I do this/did this? I appreciate your time and trouble. Thanks! YB

Thank you Winnapp2. Sounds like good advice - I shall follow it! Youngbear

Hello: I just downloaded and successfully used CCleaner v4. I have a question about a new item, "Find Files." I used this function and it found about 16 sets of what are supposed to be duplicate files; however, while these files are created on the same date and at the exact same time, one of the files may end in "fail" or "/f" while the other ends in "/e"- IE there may be one letter different between the two files in the pair. How do I know which file is safe to delete or if any of the files are safe to delete? Thank you, Youngbear

Done and done! Thanks, kroozer.

I have previously used all of the Rucuva updates for the last two years or so. Each morning I run a search for deleted files and I run a single-pass overwrite for privacy. The entire process takes between 5 and 7 minutes. My current update was 143.623 Yesterday, I updated with Recuva 143.778, It searched and found the files very quickly (about 10 seconds); however, it took over 2 hours to overwrite the files! I don't have the time for this activity. I need to get back my previous update of 143.623. I found the list of versions and my previous version is on the list; however, I do not find a way to download that. I depend on this program so I await your answer of how to download and re-establish the previous version ASAP and I appreciate your time. Please, this is important to me. Thanks so much, Youngbear

Dear Piriform Team: It has been a long time since I have been to your site and it looks much different than in the past. I could not find a forum that sounded like a fit for my question, so, I posted it under most of the forums that I could find (like throwing mud against the wall) to see if I could get an answer to the question. I did not mean to offend anyone or take advantage in any way. You gave me a swift answer (and a correct one, as it turns out, to my question and I thank you very much!!! Once again, I am sorry if I have caused any problems. I do not use your site very often, but I do value your work. Thank you so much! Youngbear Roth

Found the following two programs listed under my Startup / ScheduledTasks CC Cleaner tab and don't know what they are or what I should do - keep enabled or disabled or delete? IHSelfDeleteTASK IHUninstallTrackingTASK Do you require the rest of the information on these lines to anwer my query? Thank you so much! YB

Hello! I dig Recuva - it's great! However, I have a question. When I use its overwriting feature (set to Gutman 35 passes)it usually works very smooth and fast. Although, if the file - volume information - is on the list, I find it is so large that Recuva takes forever to overwrite it. I have begun to uncheck that file from my list if I see it. For simple house-keeping purposes, is there any reason I should overwrite it? Could a large file like that (I don't actually know what "volume" means or includes)cause me computing problems or might it be a security problem were I to get rid of my computer or get hacked into? My OP is Win Vista Home Premium SP2. Compaq Presario 5110f. For a once a week cleanup I use CCleaner and Recuva and I defrag using the Windows OE defrag program. Thank you for your time and trouble , Youngbear

Hello CCleaner/Piriform: I have been using and updating my CCleaner and Recuva software programs for about six months; I am very pleased with the programs and highly reccomend them and your company to anyone who asks - you have my loyalty. However, registry work is very touchy - especially for an intermediate user with a lot to learn! I have used the registry cleaning portion of the program numerous times without any problems, but when it recently reported back a missing MUI Reference that I did not understand on another program (PC-Doctor) that I use regularly I decided to check into it before hitting the fix button. I checked in with your forum (where I have learned much in the past), although this time I did not receive an answer that I was comfortable with. I have dug a little deeper and checked with the program mfg in question (PC-Doctor) and received the answer below. The way it shakes out, I have decided to leave the entries in the registry in the spirit of "If it works, don't fix it." At this time my system is working spot on. I do not know if this issue is of any importance to your CCleaner team or to any of the many forum members you have. I do know that your team has obviously put in a great deal of intense labor to bring to market an excellent product, and your forum members have always been forthcoming with their time and knowledge. I felt compelled to respond by taking the time to share my insignificant gain/decision with you. Best always, YB Using CCleaner to check for register errors. When it checks MUI Cache it wants to delete PC-Doctor keys: Missing MUI Reference @C:\ProgramData\PC-Doctor for Windows\startmenu\bundle.dll.mui,-201 HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache Missing MUI Reference @C:\ProgramData\PC-Doctor for Windows\startmenu\bundle.dll.mui,-202 HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache I do not want to delete any of your information from my register without checking with you first. I have an icon on my start menu for your software and use it monthly - so, as far as I can understand there is nothing missing and I feel that my register cleaning program may be giving me some false info. I will not act until I hear from you. I.E. - I am asking you if the information on PC-Doctor above belongs in my register and should not be deleted? Thank you for your time, YB Answer: Since neither PC-Doctor nor HP can guarantee functionality of the product or support changes such as are suggested in the email, I would suggest leaving the registry entries intact. If you have any additional questions please respond to this email.

Thanks for your input Norel! I have now heard twice that I can access Windows Defrag via the command line. I don't know what that means or how to do that. I simply click the icon. I am very simple minded though I can follow instructions if someone gives me them. I understand that at the command line I can set the parameters of my drfrag program - which is what I am after, so that I can make a meaningful comparrison between Defraggler and Win Defrag. Again, Thank you! YB

Hello, Lucky! Thank you for your consice answer. Your comments about the left-over red blocks and the fact that the program does not move the files up to the front is information for me to consider before I download; it sounds like the Windows system defrag is still my best bet at this time. I was searching around because as you may know, sometime ago Windows redesigned their defrag program and took away the ability for end users to set certain parameters within the program. I am a creature of habit and was used to setting those parameters myself - it comes down to a trust issue with something I can no longer see or control. Your friend, YB

Hello Folks! I have not yet downloaded Defraggler. I am not a sophisticated computer user - I would say "intermediate" in my knowledge level. Would someone out there give me the pros and cons of using Defraggler instead of the Windows defrag that came bundled with my system? My system currently takes 90 minutes to 2 hours to defrag using the Windows defrag. I have Vista/Home Premium/32. I am very pleased with my current system performance, but always looking for an improvement! Thank you for your time, YB

Hello All! Me again. Upgraded yesterday to 2.28 and when I ran the reg clean function it found about six or seven items that the old program - 2.27 - did not find. I let the cleaner do its thing and all is fine with my system. However, one item kept coming back: Missing MUI Reference @C:\ProgramData\PC-Doctor for Windows\startmenu\bundle.dll.mui,201 HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings \Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache I decided to untick the MUI Cache selection box and run another scan. As I suspected, nothing came up. I ran my PC Doctor using the shortcut icon from my startmenu bar and performed a few basic diagnostic tests - wll went well. I do not remember if 2.27 had this MUI Cache selection box ticked. IS IT AN IMPORTANT BOX TO HAVE TICKED? I know what MUI is (user interface), but do not exactly understand what a MUI Reference is. If it means there is no icon on the start menu bar, then I have found a glitch in the reg clean function, becasue there is an icon on the start menu bar, I use it once a month. So, to tick or not to tick, that is my question! YB

Hello! I have asked this question before, but did not actually receive an answer (received a comment more akin to a complaint), so, I will try again as it has been some time. In intermediate user/layman's terms: 1)What does "Wipe Free Space" do? 2)Why or when would it be appropriate to use this item? 3)How will using this item affect my system performance? Yes, I am aware that it will run for about one to two hours and that's why I don't have it ticked. Win/Vista/32bit/premier home ed. Thanks much! YB

Augeas, my friend! "The test is whether the original data can be recovered." Man, that cleared up a lot! I'm feeling very stupid about now; because after reading your learned reply I tried going into a recovered file using MS Word to open it - gobbledy-gook! All I have been recovering are headings or titles or arrows pointing to a file that is useless. On the one hand, I should have taken the time to go into the file before. However, if I had, I wouldn't have garnered the detailed answer that you provided. I do know that the MFT is a master file and one of its jobs is to keep itself from being fragmented, so, of course, some of the files will not allow themselves to be overwritten, but I could not put the entire picture together. I thank you very much and I consider the case solved. I do want to mention to any member of the technology team responsible for Recuva that the area we've just covered over the last two days may be confusing for others, and it might be very helpful if a note of explanation such as the one I just received from you were worked into the program notes. Perhaps even a small re-design of code that replaces the previous headers/titles with a generic arrow "file fini!" until the system reads that the space has actually been reused with a new header/title. Again, thank you so much. Youngbear

Well, now I'm at a complete loss! I followed your instructions and got the Gutman overwrite (I know this because it took over an hour vs. six minutes). And as usual the majority of the files turned from green to red. However, no matter the color, some files stated that they were not recoverable, others stated that they were excellent, some stated overwritten and some not. I tried to recover a sampling of all types, and they all recovered. Next morning, went into recuva and ran the wizard the exact same way as yesterday and it found the exact same files from the first to the last, and they were - most of them - green, no overwrite, and excellent. I know I accomplished the overwrite because my system spent an hour doing something as the progress bar inched along. This mystery leaves me with two questions: 1) Why were the circles to the far right red after yesterday's overwrite, but green this morning after a repeat search? 2) If I overwrote the files and they were marked not recoverable, or even not recoverable but no signs of an overwrite, why was I able to instantly recover them? I am very confused, but not ready to give up. It must be something I am doing or not doing. By the way, I also tried uninstalling and reinstalling the Recuva program. I also tried running the application from my E drive as well as my C drive, and recovering from one drive to the other as well as recovering to the same drive. The recovery area of the program is beautiful! It works no matter what! However, the overwrite area of the program and descriptions of a file not being recoverable simply escape me. As always, I appreciate the time and trouble for your help and anyone else out there that has any ideas for me. What am I doing wrong? Your friend, Youngbear

Thank you! I took your advice, but I still would like to know how to get the Gutman overwrite just because I'm a control freak. Thanks again, your friend, Youngbear

Hello! I am back and learning alot, so, thank you for all of your input. Question: I noticed that under the advanced settings there is an option to have the files that Recuva has found overwritten if they have not already been so. I have my CCleaner set to do a simple one time overwrite, however, under the Recuva options I am able to ask for Gutman (35 times overwrite). I checked the first box which auto checked all of the boxes down the page and selected the Gutman overwrite. Nothing happened. I tried checking only one item - same thing - nothing happened. I tried doing the simple one time overwrite - nothing happened. I must have missed a step in the proceedure. Can anyone out there clue me in? I am a step by step kind of guy, so, a step by step answer would be most appreciated. I sincerely thank you for your time and trouble, Youngbear

Youngbear replies: Should I understand your reply to mean that if I do not empty the recycle bin, but wait for CCleaner to do it for me, that those files will be properly deleted? Further, if I choose to click on "wipe free space" that if I then run Recuva any other files I may have deleted myself will not be found? If my understanding is correct, then you have helped me to accomplish a workable system, and I thank you!

Hello! First, your forum group is sooo on top of it all! You have helped me to better understand my computer in general and how best to select and use Piriform's products - thank you! One of the items I have checked on my CCleaner's list is to empty my Recycle Bin program. I also have the slower(but it's not that slow) method checked to overwrite items so that they are more secure in their deletion. Well, I've been so happy with CCleaner that I downloaded Recuva; and not a moment too soon. I lost a document and used Recuva (very user friendly) to find it. I found it, along with truckloads of items, many of them cleaned or deleted from my Recycle Bin. The vast majority in excellent condition and ready to "find" whenever I'm ready to find them. I have to say that I was a bit startled - I thought CCleaner had securely cleaned them off my C drive. It "appears"" to me that Ruva is saying that CCleaner is not doing what it is supposed to do? Would anyone like to help me to understand this? Also, a suggestion for Recuva, list the found items by last item cleaned/deleted from system first using dates.

Hello Ident & Login 123: I went to the CClean site and joined their forum (my first forum!) and posted my issue about CClean not compacting the registry. In under two hours I was given a choice between two free download programs that were designed just to defrag and compact the registry. I looked them over and chose one: http://www.registry-clean.net/free-registry-defrag.htm . I chose it on the simplicity of its code (a mere 750KB), its easy GUI (a five-year-old could run it), and as I suspected it loaded very clean, and did what used to be a one hour job in about 2 or 3 minutes. After a C drive and register clean up with CClean and a register compaction with the new registry defrag/compact program, I tested the waters (both programs together took my weekly manual cleaning time down from four hours to five minutes). I got out my heaviest Word document and clicked once. MS Word was open before my hand could leave the mouse (perhaps one second). Movie Magic Screenwriter - that used to take about five to seven seconds to open - now opens in two to three seconds. My machine boots up from scratch in the morning in 25 to 30 seconds, unless I have worked on it all week and not cleaned it, in which case it will take 40 seconds. Man, I am in Heaven! You ask for proof. Coming from Win 98, a slow, unstable program, that I had to load with heavy coded energy monsters like MS Word and Movie Magic Screenwriter, and MS FrontPage, and never having had a crash or freeze in all the years I was on it, the proof is in what you will not experience more than in what you will experience. None of my friends cleaned their environment the way I did and compacted their registers - all of them had crashes and freezes that made them move on to other OP systems. It is the only proof I can offer. YB

Thank you my friend! I downloaded the first program on your list of two. It was a small program, simple, downloaded clean, and ran perfect. Again, thank you for your time! Your friendj, YB

I am new to CCleaner, and to all of my software programs and OP system. I am coming from a long journey into the ancient history of Windows systems. I made the jump from Win 98SE to Win Vista - if only I had known what I was missing! In Win 98SE I had to learn to manually clean the operatiing system, learn to use regedit manually, and learn to compact my registry. Telling my friends I edited my registry myself would always send shivers of fear into the room. Now, CCleaner does the job - well done! CC was loaded by my computer tech for me, a true visionary. Okay, enough cow-pucky. My question is this: when CCleaner cleans the registry does it also compact the registry? I have noticed and used the "Wipe free space" selection, and I am wondering if this is CCleaner language for "Compact Registry?" If CC does not currently compact the registry, may I humbly suggest that it consider including this option. In the mean, may I assume that the ms dos language underlying the Vista OP system is the same as it has always been and that I can use it to reach my command prompt and proceed from there as usual to compact the registry? I thank anyone out there who takes the time to read and answer my questions, and communicating with you has been my pleasure. YB