Registry First Aid Review

Initial install – Straight forward “click next” application.
- Installs on the Taskbar
- Desktop Icon
- Start Menu Icon

PC Tech Specs

Operating System: Windows XP SP2
Processor: 3.0 Ghz P4 w/HT
Ram: 1024 MB
Scenario: My pc has been in heavy use for 3 years with many program installs/uninstalls. Errors occur from some uninstalls that did not complete properly.

This software is a great tool for a person that is computer savvy. The typical user will be able to navigate around and use the basic features, but will be confused when trying to interpret what everything means. However, at which point a person is using any sort of “registry cleaner” that, in its self, could mean that they’re more advanced in their understanding of what the registry does and its impact when changes are made.

For the staunch “do-it-yourselfer”, the application launches the “Help” feature right off the bat when launching the application. I set my mind to “novice computer user” and searched through the “help” section. The documentation is good at walking one through many of the procedures this program is capable of. Support is also available through the Help Menu, but only via email.

Let me stress on a very important feature in the application, the “full registry back up”. This, in itself, is the best feature. The registry is an untamed jungle of lions, tigers and bears. Do not use any feature in this application without first performing a full back up. Why? It’s just the nature of the beast, that when you venture into this registry jungle; hacking and slashing with a machete. You, or better yet, your computer, may not make it out without the Blue Screen of Death. This isn’t necessarily a flaw with the application, but anything that makes changes with the registry still has the potential to wreak havoc since Microsoft Windows is heavily dependent on the registry.

The “Registry Maintenance” scans through in a whiz (I have an older 3.0Ghz P4 HT) and quickly identified many left over keys, entries, and other weeds left by previous applications installed. And, just as quickly as it scanned, it rooted out these weeds. I rebooted my pc after this step and it started up beautifully. That, alone, tells me this feature worked correctly. It didn’t impact any of my existing applications either.

Next, we have the “Defragment Registry” feature. Much like one defrags their hard drive, this can also help the speed in which applications run and overall pc performance. This will require a restart. Upon logging in, the application pops up and prompts for a full scan, which again, finishes quickly. The Demo version only cleans up 15 or so entries or so, but I selected ones from applications that have actively caused problems on my pc, even though they were uninstalled. For safe measure, I rebooted once more. After using this application, I’ve come to trust that my pc will reboot…and faster then before.

Under “Registry Management” you have “Search the Registry” and “Registry Snapshots”. These features are less for the average user and more for the person who is has to know EVERY key nook and crevice on their pc. More advanced users can fine tune their edits by searching for specific keys and take snapshots, comparing the difference a program install makes. These features do their job well, but aren’t necessary for this program to automate most of the changes and improve pc performance.