14 DAY TRIAL // Registry is a tricky thing to handle. And only experienced users venture into manually cleaning them. I know I got burned once and, ever since, I back them up before trying to meddle. The hard part is due to the lack of a proper interface and the fact that there are a myriad of ones and zeros that need to be configured. I know handling a bunch of ones and zeros sounds simple, but not everybody can do it.
The application I am going to present in the following lines is a registry editor with some extra features that I am sure you would love. RegWorks is a RegWsoft product released for trial as shareware. The full version of the program costs $30, a little too much if I were asked. Anyway, I am not the judge of that, as the software may prove to be useful enough for some users to buy it.
The interface of RehWorks is comparable to that of Windows Registry Editor. It is plain and simple, with no useless ?adornments?. The utility of the application came first and the developer succeeded in it.
Although the majority of the options offered by the program can be found in Windows, it will bring some new options into the light and let you easily configure them. Windows is just too big and hides a whole lot more secrets than you can imagine for a person to discover all of them.
The registry editor part is not too different from Windows Registry Editor; however, a few functions tend to give RegWorks a slight advantage. The Print option, for example, available in Windows registry editing applet, has been replaced by the Backup and Restore function in RegWorks. Also, there are some changes in the Edit menu.
The new features and additions are just beginning to show and the best feature of the software is the Tweaks that allows you to modify the installed software parameters without getting into the intricacies of editing the system registry values. It offers you the comfort of modifying the tweak's data and - at the same time - changing the registry values.
And surprises keep on coming, as creating a new tweak is a snap thanks to the guiding wizard and the comprehensive Help menu provided. The monitor, also a special feature, is a tool for intercepting calls for the registry processing functions. The interception is performed through the driver that is installed upon the program's first start. Once in a while, the program inquires the driver for the packet of records with information on the calls.
Tweaks can affect the Control Panel and its applets, Desktop with its options and features, the Network (Connections, DNS Client, Offline Files and QoS Packet Scheduler), Printers, Shared Folders, System and Windows components. In just a few words, tweaks help you configure all that comes with Windows OS in an easy manner.
The software lets the user prohibit the access to the Control Panel options by simply enabling this option. The change performed here will also be made in the corresponding registry. Also, you can restrict the selection of the theme color for the Display or remove the annoying Desktop Cleanup Wizard that will definitely appear every month or two.
Some of the users find the Autoplay option (I rather enjoy it, as it assures me that the inserted disc is readable by my optical drive) quite annoying. You can turn it on or off as you like by simply going to the System tweaks (the option is listed twice so that you don't miss it).
For every tweaking option the user will have a constant explanation displayed at the bottom of the application window. In fact, it is a pretty detailed description of that option, thus enabling you to learn a little more about the possibilities of the software and of Windows.
Every little thing can be configured in Windows and RegWorks just puts it all out into the open for you.
As for the Backup and Restore function of the registry, it allows you to make as many mistakes as you can without the risk of nothing going right again unless you reinstall or repair your Windows. The program offers a momentary solution for undoing your mistake by using the famous Ctrl+Z keyboard shortcut.
The Options menu under Tools is divided into the three sections of the program: Editor, Monitor and Tweaker, which can be configured according to your needs.
The Good
Very easy to use application and due to the Help file it can also be used by intermediate skilled users. Everything is configurable and it is all in one place.
The Bad
Some of the tweaks are listed twice, like turning off the autoplay on CD-ROM/All drives or the ones in Windows Messenger.
The lack of a password being applied may result in anyone using the computer to change the settings and turn your computer into a roller coaster, never knowing what else to expect.
The price may seem to be a little high for more experienced users that know exactly where to look in Windows or the Registry Editor in order to make the necessary settings.
The Truth
Great application for beginners, although it could use a little improvement here and there. The tweaks are the easiest part to handle as all you have to do is click on one option, read the information displayed below and act accordingly.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
