Thanks RedneckDude, roflmfaoo, and DrJBHL. I used this program, and although I can't say it has made a big difference, it didn't cause any problems either. It did clear my 'most recently used' list though, but I only noticed by coincidence as I hardly ever use it.

Basically any program can stuff up your system.  But there's always a possibility that the system is in not good shape and can't be cleaned properly.  I tested the latest version of Wise and had no problems.  Basically any program can stuff up your system, it doesn't particularly need to be a registry cleaner.  And I also suggest you make a drive image using Acronis 2011 or the latest version of Easus that doc highlighted recently.  Drive images are useful because provided the base disk is not having problems and you've got a verified and healthy disk image, you can always restore the system to a precise backed-up point.  Then you don't need to rely on System Restores or registry backups.  I was saved much heartache when my hard drive failed recently by having a recent Acronis image of my system and data drives on an external USB drive.  It was like I hardly lost anything at all.  I suggest you find an image backup solution that works for you and backup your drives at least every two weeks, weekly if you want, so you are always prepared if your computer stops working for any reason (unless you are unlucky enough for your main hard drive and external USB drive to fail at the same time, but you'd have to be VERY unlucky for that to happen if you generally keep the two separate).

StevenAus, you're absolutely correct in that... it's something I forgot about, and it's an important thing to remember.

All I can say about registry cleaners is when I first started out on XP I knew nothing about them...I used them several times with no problems it seemed...and then one day it removed important files related to my anti virus. So...it may work fine one day and then the next day completely screw something up. One test is not enough...especially with something dealing with the registry.

Since my experience when on XP I've been using Ccleaner with no problems...knock on wood.

For light duty, I use CCleaner and for most users, it is sufficient. For anything beyond that, I've been using Advanced System Care for a couple of years now. The free version does a fair job, but the Pro version has a deep scan that will find more. Neither of these has ever caused an issue with my rig.

There are inherent risks in using any program that can/will modify or delete registry keys, including my favorite un-install tool, Revo. If you are not prepared to deal with the possible consequences of using (or mis-using) a registry cleaner.... Do Not Use One.

Google Wise Registry Cleaner an do you find problems?

Eggsactly.

Here is a link to an In Depth Review of 31 of The Most Popular Registry Cleaning Products. It's done by MACECRAFT which makes jv16Powertools (another registry cleaner). That aside, it seems pretty fair in it's overall assessments. It does include Wise and CCleaner (which both were given the same overall rating/score). Along with the fact that that the survey was done by a company that makes their own cleaner, I believe this was done in 2009 .

Here is the link to their 2010 study which goes in to much more detail on how they conducted the test and this one covers 176 registry cleaners. In the 2010 test, Wise and CCleaner didn't even make their top 25.Also, the companies own product (which got the highest score in both studies) had it's own score cut almost in half on the second study.

To be clear, they are not scoring or rating them.

This comparison study is not a software review, nor is the goal to make a subjective evaluation regarding which of the products is the "best". Our sole objective has been to scientifically test the products, list the results and let the readers draw their own conclusions.

However, if one wants to somehow quantify or summarize the results of this study by scoring one point from each green line in which a product appears, and deducting one point for each red line in which a product appears, the results would be as follows:

One of the things I did find interesting was how many of these programs "leave stuff behind" when uninstalled. Another thing to note in the second study is that 33 out of the 176 apps studied gave false positives, the highest being 376.  You may want to compare whatever cleaner you use to some of this info and then search further.

I would love to see something this in depth done by an independent source.

For it to be genuinely worth anything....

CC Cleaner for it is tried and true have had it for years with no problems. It sounds as if some are pushing a program, and I am a subscriber t0o PC World and still will keep CC Cleaner

I have installed Wise Reg-Cleaner without any issues. I do not use their System Tuneup or Registry Defrag, I'm a little gun-shy with reports of problems. But I can recommend the main program wholeheartedly. Interesting that running Wise first leaves no issues when following up with CCleaner, has anyone else noticed this?

CopperHill

I believe that's because Wise Registry Cleaner does a more thorough job, copperhill.

Depends on the ears of "some".... or was that "one"?

I only use two things on my system for purposes like this, CCleaner and TuneUp Utilities 2012 which not only checks and cleans the registry, but also does a lot more in the way of system optimization. It is not free though but well worth buying. Never had any issues with either product on XP, Vista or Windows 7.

aLL OF THESE APPS,  CC cleaner included. need an undo button. I guess if you have a small computer with no meat and potatoes{cpu and ram} you may require help in your computers performance, but if you have systems like some of the ones I have seen discussed here at wc,{dual core, quad core, 16gig ram, etc.} why would you need more speed. I doubt it would be noticed unless your os was already in poor shape.

I have had issues with cc cleaner as well as others. I do not feel it is worth the little extra umph you may get from running these apps.I for one will stick to reinstalling my os when my computer gets freaky.

I would add, I run my system ,for many years now with no antvirus, and to date ,I do not remember ever getting a corrupt registry from a virus or misplaced value, so careful interaction between you and the web can help cut the need for such things. Must be most people just install whatever , whenever, at the approval of the seller. This is called. believing what you hear, and can be bad for your pc,and your health, very stressful.

As the disclaimer goes,, IMHO!

PS. Words of wisdom said earlier, IF IT AINT BROKE! {Backups or disc images are great if you do them every day, otherwise you still could lose important data and work. They have also been known to miss a few drivers and such for the backup, leaving you without internet , and no easy way to replace updates and drivers and such.

Take ownership of your pc, you can control what happens for the most part, what gets in or out. I would not hire a stranger to clean my house, why use a stranger on my pc.  Thanks for listening. DT1

doortech1 .....you were responding to an ancient thread revived by a spammer...since deleted...

Well.....eleven months and eleven days ain't too bad. Was it 7 am or 7 pm. 7-11.......there's one of them right down the street.