14 DAY TRIAL // Many PC users claim that regularly cleaning the Windows registry is essential for keeping the operating system in shape by removing useless and invalid entries that are no longer referenced to files on the disk.
Whether this is actually helpful or not remains up to debate. However, a lot of users have reported noticing some improvements in their computer's reaction speed after using some of these software products. Those looking for an efficient registry cleaner have probably tried CCleaner, Glary Utilities, Wise Registry Cleaner or Auslogics Registry Cleaner.
For this review we have chosen Argente's Registry Cleaner. Part of the Argente Utilities package, this small app piqued our interest thanks to the fact that it is free to use and does not contain third-party apps at installation. Furthermore, it seems simple to handle and straight to the point when it comes to scanning the registry and removing invalid entries (spoiler alert: it turned out that we were right).
Simple installation steps and clear-cut interface
The setup procedure is a fast and easy job, since the wizard contains familiar steps and no requirements. As far as the UI is concerned, Argente adopts a regular window with an approachable structure that makes it easy for users to perform a scan job.
At startup, the software application offers to enable an automatic maintenance module. As the name suggests, it automatically scans the computer on a regular basis to find registry inconsistencies and take action if necessary. It does this at every Windows startup until further notice, and the good news is that it runs in stealth mode, so it doesn't interrupt normal user activity on the PC. Software updates are automatically downloaded.
Before scanning the registry, the tool backs up its current settings to file to be able to restore it later if the operating system starts experiencing stability issues due to the new changes.
Default or custom analysis
In default mode, Argente browses all areas of the registry to be thorough. By switching to custom mode, users can exclude any areas they want by making a simple deselection. These include ActiveX and COM objects, system applications, help files, sound notifications, the Windows Firewall, common data, file extensions, fonts, automatic startup entries, Start menu objects, program paths, system services, software, and file types.
Once a scan job is completed, Argente populates a list with all broken entries, along with its location in the registry and type of issue (e.g. the key doesn't contain any accurate or helpful data, the key refers to a library type that doesn't exist).
It is possible to delete all items, deselect any entries to keep them in the registry, exclude them from future scans, as well as open their location in the Windows registry. After making the deletion, users can run a new scan to make sure that no stones are left unturned. Most registry cleaners require users to perform multiple scans in order to delete entries that become invalid due to the removal of their references in previous scans.
Undo changes and configure program preferences
The tool automatically creates registry backups before each deletion job, and these can be restored if any OS issues occur, after studying a list with the date and total error repaired for each backup. Moreover, users can create a full registry backup on the spot with one click, as well as delete any backup from this section.
As far as app settings go, users can set a delay time for the automatic maintenance job at Windows startup, hide the donation message at program startup, switch to a different language for the UI, activate automatic checksups for software updates at Windows boot (in hidden mode) and set a delay, apply a proxy configuration to connect to the Internet to bypass any current restrictions for updates, remove registry entries from the exclusion list, disable backups, or indicate a maximum storage time for old backups.
The Good
Multiple UI languages are supported.
It is extremely simple to use, even by rookies.
Registry scan tasks can be performed for all supported areas of the Windows registry. However, any of these can be excluded and included again later. What's more, users can create an exclusion list with the entries they want to protect, open their location in Registry Editor, enable automatic maintenance jobs at Windows startup.
Those who want to skip the installer and run the app directly from a pen drive can resort to its portable counterpart, namely Argente – Registry Cleaner Portable.
It is free to use.
The Bad
We expected richer features, such as more information about each registry entry in the scan results.
CPU consumption is significant during scan-and-repair jobs.
