Registry Mechanic 3.0.3

By: Kurt von Behrmann

 Registry Mechanic 3.0.3

Registry Mechanic 3.0.3

This is about as easy as it gets, and about as effective as it gets.  For those new to all of this, PC tools utility makes it simple.

Registry Mechanic 3.0.3

Sunday, October 24, 2004 

Requirements: Windows 95 throught to Windows Xp

Size: 2,378 KB 

Company:   PC tools

www.pctools.com 

Single User Price $ 29.95

Volume Pricing available. 

When it comes to the registry, this is the D.N.A. of your P.C.  If there is a serious problem with Windows, the chances are good a faulty registry could be to blame. The problem with fixing it is the complexity of the registry.  One false move and you could end up having to reformat your hard drive and reinstalling every program on your system. Having done this, I can safely say it is not fun.  

Of all of the various utilities on the market, Registry Mechanic has been a popular one. Numerous windows users have made a point of making this program a well received one at CNET, and with good reason.  While they do make a free version available to try it out, to get the full impact, you need the full strength version. 

Like all good utilities, this one includes a backup and for the most part is truly efficient. One of the true saving graces with Registry Mechanic is that is updated on a regular basis. Plus,  the upgrade policy is generous.  Unlike programs that change a bit here and there over time, this one alters only when significant changes have been made to the program.   

Scanning for invalid entries, incorrect short cuts, and other problems that cause registry issues, this is about as easy as the process can be.  Broken down into registry integrity, Custom Controls, Software locations, Device Drivers, Windows Fonts( it checks for valid fonts too), Help and Resources, Shared Programs, Startup Programs (it handles programs that are slated to start up in windows but should not), Add and Remove programs, Virtual Devices, Deep Registry scan, Configuration files and finally short cuts to fixed drives.  

Registry Mechanic’s charms are not only in the depth of operations, but the sensitivity of operations.  Window’s Registry is a sensitive component of windows. This is a fact understood by this utility. Taking a cautious approach, this program does not go half baked through your pc making random or casual changes. For novices, this is a good thing. 

With any program that operates on this level, I would strongly encourage any user to become familiar with this function in windows. While you do not need a P.h.D. to operate this program, it certainly makes sense that you know what you are doing.  

Equipped with the ability to back itself up, and to make automatic back ups after correcting and issue, this is one popular utility that could make the process of keeping a PC in tip top shape easy. 

Summation  

Windows comes with some great built in features.  Absent a true easy to use registry cleaner, windows is missing a vital key in keeping itself running smoothly. Filling in the void, PC Tools has produced a good solution to the problem. If all you lack is a good registry cleaner, this one time and time again gets the job done and done rather well. 

Purchase price also includes a year of free upgrades and one year of free support. Considering how fool proof this program is, and I tested it on a “Dirty” PC, that should not be an issue.