Least to most registry danger

[Billc]

I am new to using CCleaner and want to clean out some of

the junk in my registry, but I want to do it in steps. So, I

am wondering whether it is possible to classify the registry

integrity tests that CC uses from the least likely to damage,

to the most likely to damage. Damage is probably not the

right term, but you know what I mean (I hope).

 

Given the list of registry problems that are listed in the check

boxes on the left of the registry window in CC, how would

you rank them from least sensitive to most, i.e. is deleting

a missing shared DLL potentially more hazardous than deleting

an Installer?

 

I am thinking start menu ordering may be the least, but I know

nothing about editing the registry.

 

Thanks

[Winapp2.ini]

I'd say all are equally as bad if you don't know what you're doing.

 

Try reading up on the registry before you try cleaning it, and even then be careful.

 

Theres a link in my signigture to a "FaQ" on the registry cleaning feature.

 

 

To answer your question though.

 

(in my opinion)

 

Least

 

Start Menu Ordering

Run at Startup

Obsolete Software

MUI Cache (can be less hazardous if you don't use any other languages)

Help Files

Fonts (can be higher or lower, depending)

Installer

Application Paths

Applications

Type Libraries

Active X/Class Issues

Missing Shared DLL's

Unused File Extensions (I put this one as very hazardous because you can accidentally remove .reg, .exe, .dll, ect from the registry without realizing, and believe me its a pain to restore some file associations, especially exe and reg.)

 

Most

 

 

But thats just my opinion, from my experience. You shouldn't /really/ go by that ;-)

[Billc]

Thanks, I had already read your posts and found them very useful.

 

I agree before I do anything with the registry that I need to know

more, but I am getting tired of nursing Windows and having to

become an IT professional to get it to keep running.

 

Anyway, I have read where they may be no real performance

gains by tweaking the registry anyway.

 

 

I'd say all are equally as bad if you don't know what you're doing.

 

Try reading up on the registry before you try cleaning it, and even then be careful.

 

Theres a link in my signigture to a "FaQ" on the registry cleaning feature.

 

 

To answer your question though.

 

(in my opinion)

 

Least

 

Start Menu Ordering

Run at Startup

Obsolete Software

MUI Cache (can be less hazardous if you don't use any other languages)

Help Files

Fonts (can be higher or lower, depending)

Installer

Application Paths

Applications

Type Libraries

Active X/Class Issues

Missing Shared DLL's

Unused File Extensions (I put this one as very hazardous because you can accidentally remove .reg, .exe, .dll, ect from the registry without realizing, and believe me its a pain to restore some file associations, especially exe and reg.)

 

Most

 

 

But thats just my opinion, from my experience. You shouldn't /really/ go by that ;-)