http://registry-repair-software-review. ... ry+cleaner
That article gave Ace Utilities 3rd place ranking. But, as you will read, IMHO this program is the best. I appreciate the other two winners may offer some more features but I found they were superfluous to the task at hand - registry maintenance. (I consider myself a geek, with a university degree in mathematics/computers and formerly operating a computer consulting firm.)
For me, the most important features were:
- Grouping of registry types (Fonts, Obsolete software, etc).
- Comment on invalid key.
- Undo (saving deleted items to text file, with reg keys).
- Defragmentation.
This narrowed down the list for me. Also, to keep my computer clean, I don't want a package that stays too far from registry work. I don't want the program to include virus scanner (already got one), but trivial features like cleaning caches are ok.
This brought me to the following programs. I have included my comments on each one.
Shareware is a great business model for the customer's ability to try and test products. I tested all four of these products. Took me about one hour on each one, and another two hours of reading on other products that I elected to not bother testing.
In the end, my vote goes to Ace Utilities (with Registry Defragmenter and Compactor).
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Registry Mechanic
Good
+ Not tsr after closing.
+ Yes show priority of key types.
Poor
x Not isolate reg key in undo file.
x Not defrag module.
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Advanced Registry Doctor
Good
+ Yes defrag module.
+ Yes isolate reg key in undo file.
+ Yes show priority of key types.
Poor
x Yes tsr (RegManServ.exe) after closing.
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Advanced Registry Optimizer
Good
+ Not tsr after closing.
+ Yes defrag module.
+ Yes isolate reg key in undo file.
Poor
x Not show priority of key types.
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Ace Utilities
Good
+ Not tsr after closing. } good
+ Yes defrag module - separate. } best, shows stats
+ Yes isolate reg key in undo file. } good, text file
+ Yes show priority of key types. } best, grouped
+ Exclusion list
Poor
- (none)
Comments
- The registry scanning is one of the fastest of programs.
- The grouping of reg keys is most intuitive.
- The coding of the program is very clean (no resident threads after closing).
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But more to the point, a virus scanner in Ace Utilities would be inappropriate considering the fact that we aren't an antivirus company.
jazz.........aka.........DenB..............