14 DAY TRIAL // The software market is currently filled with plenty of utilities that specialize in cleaning and optimizing various parts of Windows. The registry plays an important role in that matter, since it is the area that records all important configuration settings made in the operating system by some software which leave their footprints behind.
A simple yet effective registry cleaner resolves most common issues which occur with registry entries, depending on the variety of registry areas it is meant to verify.
Auslogics Registry Cleaner has just released its fourth edition, with its most notable aspect being a new search function that allows users to browse the Windows registry for a specific key or entry to remove, which particularly comes in handy when trying to identify remnants from uninstalling various software.
How to make a clean installation
The program is free to use. However, it is ad-supported which, in this case, means that it offers to download third-party components and make some changes to the web browsers, this way attempting to generate income. The setup kit is tricky. In order to decline the offer and make a clean installation, it is necessary to switch from express to custom install mode, and clear all checkboxes before proceeding to the next wizard setup.
Unimpressive but neatly organized interface
The UI is represented by a regular window that has all registry entries grouped together into separate categories, in addition to the menu bar. It does not contain stunning graphical elements but rather focuses on simplicity. The first panel shows details regarding the last scan time, total number of problems repaired, along with the Auslogics advice.
Customize the registry areas and shortcuts
The software application is capable of running a scan-and-repair job, or just a scan task. Before doing so, however, it is possible to select the registry categories to look into while leaving out the test. These revolve around files (associations and extensions, help files, history lists), software (app events and paths, installed programs, autostart entries, missing software, ActiveX and COM objects), together with system-related issues (fonts, firewall, Internet, shared DLLs, virtual devices).
In addition to the registry, the program can identify invalid shortcuts, namely those whose targets no longer exist. They do not normally take up space but simply clutter the disk.
Create registry backups and manage system restore points
The default selection made by Auslogics is deemed as safe, meaning that there is no risk of Windows stability issues occurring afterward. However, advanced users can include extra registry sections in the scan while resting assured that the original registry settings can be restored if necessary, thanks to the fact that the software application automatically creates backups before making any modifications (this option can be disabled, but it is not recommended).
An additional safety measure can be taken by creating a system restore point using Windows' default features (Auslogics does not provide this option).
The tool's "Rescue Center" is the place where registry backups can be managed and restored after studying their description, date and time taken. Windows restore points are also recorded here and can be activated easily. Plus, a real-time search function can be accessed from the status bar for both backups and checkpoints.
Scan the registry, interpret results, and fix issues
During a registry scan, users may view a progress bar and elapsed time, current registry area verified, along with the total number of errors and registry keys. This task can be paused in order to allocate system resources to other applications with a higher priority, and resumed at a later, more convenient time.
Scan results reveal all categories with registry issues, number of problems, and severity level (as seen by Auslogics). It is possible to study the full path and description for each invalid entry, ignore selected items or copy their information to the Clipboard, look up details on Google, as well as to reveal an entry's position in the Registry Editor for further changes. Similar to the "Rescue Center," a real-time search function can be accessed from the status bar to look into all results for particular items.
All or just selected registry entries can be deleted, and the final report shows the total scan time, verified items, found and repaired problems, along with total repaired issues. A more detailed report is generated to a file with the HTML extension and it shows the exact path, description and status for each registry entry.
Other tools and settings
As previously mentioned, version 4 comes with a new search function. It is separately accessible and allows users to find all registry keys and parameters matching a string, in order to delete them quickly. As far as program configuration is concerned, it is possible to change the UI language and remove registry items from the ignore list.
The Good
Auslogics Registry Cleaner lets users customize the registry areas they want to clean, as well as to find invalid shortcuts. It can either run a scan and let users decide the course of action, or automatically remove all selected entries.
The program automatically creates backups with the original registry settings before making any changes, thus enabling users to restore them later via the "Rescue Center." System restore points can be also launched from this area.
Users can study reports with found and deleted registry entries, open an entry's position in the Registry Editor, as well as resort to a search function to detect and remove keys without going through the trouble of scanning all hives. Any registry entries can be added to an ignore list to exclude them from the current and future scans.
