5 Free Registry Cleaners : Part 1

Registry cleaners are software programs that remove unnecessary entries from the Windows Registry. Registry cleaners are especially useful for removing registry entries that point to files that no longer exist.

Note: only freeware registry cleaner programs are included in this list – in other words, onlycompletely free registry cleaners. Any registry cleaner program that charges a fee of any kind (e.g. shareware, trialware) is not be included here. 

Important: Free registry cleaners should only be used to troubleshoot specific issues, NOT as part of your regular PC maintenance.

1. CCleaner

Screenshot of CCleaner v4.00.4064 in Windows 7
CCleaner is the best free registry cleaner program I’ve tested. It’s easy to use, prompts you backup the registry before it makes changes, and includes a number of other useful tools.
The CCleaner registry cleaner work on Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP, Server 2008/2003, and older Windows versions like 2000, NT, ME and 98. 64-bit Windows versions are also supported.
Piriform provides both installable and portable versions of their free registry cleaner.
If you’re set on using an automated tool to fix an issue you have that’s caused by a registry problem, I highly recommend you use Piriform’s CCleaner freeware registry cleaner tool.

2. JetClean

Screenshot of JetClean v1.4.0 Registry Cleaner in Windows 7
JetClean, a free registry cleaner by BlueSprig, isn’t one I see mentioned a lot but I found it to be very well done.
The JetClean registry cleaner supports both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.
JetClean scannes the entire registry in just a few seconds, has a well designed interface, and didn’t try to push some unnecessary browser toolbar on me during installation.
There were two things I didn’t like about JetClean. One: It isn’t available in a portable version. Two: The number of cookies that JetClean considers keepable, by default, is a bit excessive.

3. Wise Registry Cleaner

Screenshot of Wise Registry Cleaner v7.31.469 Registry Cleaner
Wise Registry Cleaner comes in very close to the other top rated registry fix tools. ZhiQing Soft has put together a fantastic free registry cleaner program.
Wise Registry Cleaner comes in both installable and portable versions and can be used on Windows 7, all the way back through Windows 98. 64-bit Windows versions are supported.
Some big pluses for Wise’s free registry cleaner include fast registry scans and a clear separation between normal issues and those that are “unsafe,” a feature I loved.
I don’t like the fact that Wise Registry Cleaner pushes for a download of Wise Disk Cleaner during installation but it’s easy to skip.

4. Auslogics Registry Cleaner

Screenshot of Auslogics Registry Cleaner v2.5.1.0 Registry Cleaner
Auslogics Registry Cleaner is another great registry cleaner program – it’s probably one of the easiest registry cleaners to use out of all the tools tested.
Auslogics Registry Cleaner is compatible with Windows 8 and Windows 7 (64-bit and 32-bit), as well as 32-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows XP.
My favorite feature of Auslogics Registry Cleaner is the colored severity rating for each category of registry area that the program finds that needs attention. This makes it really easy to figure out what might be having an impact on your computer.
If the several higher rated registry repair tools in my list don’t give you the results you were looking for, give Auslogics Registry Cleaner a try.
Note: During installation, Auslogics Registry Cleaner tries to install a browser toolbar and make changes to your home page. Be sure to uncheck those options if you’re not interested. Also, feel free to completely ignore this program’s sneaky system status check up-selling feature after the registry cleaning is complete.

5. Advanced SystemCare Free

Screenshot of Advanced SystemCare Free v5.3.0.246 Registry Cleaner
Advanced SystemCare Free from IObit is another excellent free registry cleaner program. Advanced SystemCare Free is very easy to use, has an excellent interface, and includes several other “system care” capabilities, including the ability to remove some malware, clean junk files, and more.
Advanced SystemCare Free works in Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP, and 2000. According to IObit, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows are supported.
I tested the registry fixing abilities of Advanced SystemCare Free v5.3.0.246 in Windows 7.
Note: Advanced SystemCare Free tries to install a custom browser toolbar during its setup but it’s easy to decline if you so choose.

2 thoughts on “5 Free Registry Cleaners : Part 1”

  1. Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!
    Very useful information specifically the last part 🙂 I
    care for such info much. I was looking for this certain information for a very long time.

    Thank you and good luck.

    my web page; internet providers grygla mn

Leave a Reply to test Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.