Can I use a backup of my Registry to clean up my registry?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Howdy All,


When I did a clean install of XP, I saved the backed up the registry.

Can I import this backup to clean out all registry entries since the
install?

Or can I do a comparison between the backup and the current registry to look
at differences and delete them manually?

Thanks,
Brian

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Thanks Hark.

If I was to do a system restore back to the clean install date, would that
delete data files (docs, pdfs, etc.) that are on my HDD and restore the
registry back to the clean install date?

Thanks,
Brian


"Harkhof" <hark@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:UMrGe.53900$rb6.37602@lakeread07...
>
> "Brian" <treddderx@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:%23062F8ElFHA.2444@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> Howdy All,
>>
>>
>> When I did a clean install of XP, I saved the backed up the registry.
>>
>> Can I import this backup to clean out all registry entries since the
>> install?
>
> Importing your "clean install" registry is not advisable since doing so
> will serve only to revert all of your system settings back to the install
> state and will "break" your system as you currently know it. Should you do
> so, be prepared to redo all changes you've made to your system since the
> clean XP install, including reinstalling some or all software and
> certainly all devices installed since that "clean install".
>
> Your best bet is to get a registry cleaner, many of which are recommended
> throughout this NG.
>
> Hark
>
>
>> Or can I do a comparison between the backup and the current registry to
>> look at differences and delete them manually?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Brian
>>
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Thanks again Hark.

The "Don't just install anything you've downloaded off the internet" is what
I am trying to fix on an employees machine, it's only about 1 month old and
I thought that restoring and reinstalling apps would be the way to go.

Thanks.

"Harkhof" <hark@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1nsGe.53902$rb6.34795@lakeread07...
>
> "Brian" <treddderx@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> newsyUEyRFlFHA.3692@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>> Thanks Hark.
>>
>> If I was to do a system restore back to the clean install date, would
>> that delete data files (docs, pdfs, etc.) that are on my HDD and restore
>> the registry back to the clean install date?
>
> Depending on your SR settings, SR will only keep so many restore points
> and is is doubtful that it will go back more than a month or so at most.
> SR will not delete data files and such. You will lose system settings. It
> has also been said that restoring back more than a week or so will cause
> more issues than it solves. I rarely use SR to restore more than a day or
> two back, and then only when I really need to.
>
> Again, if your goal is to clean up the registry, a reliable registry
> cleaner may be your best bet (always back up your registry before making
> changes).
>
> Beyond that, being cautious of what you install is the best preventative.
> Don't just install anything you've downloaded off the internet.
>
> Hark
>
>
>
>
>
>> Thanks,
>> Brian
>>
>>
>> "Harkhof" <hark@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:UMrGe.53900$rb6.37602@lakeread07...
>>>
>>> "Brian" <treddderx@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:%23062F8ElFHA.2444@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>>>> Howdy All,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> When I did a clean install of XP, I saved the backed up the registry.
>>>>
>>>> Can I import this backup to clean out all registry entries since the
>>>> install?
>>>
>>> Importing your "clean install" registry is not advisable since doing so
>>> will serve only to revert all of your system settings back to the
>>> install state and will "break" your system as you currently know it.
>>> Should you do so, be prepared to redo all changes you've made to your
>>> system since the clean XP install, including reinstalling some or all
>>> software and certainly all devices installed since that "clean install".
>>>
>>> Your best bet is to get a registry cleaner, many of which are
>>> recommended throughout this NG.
>>>
>>> Hark
>>>
>>>
>>>> Or can I do a comparison between the backup and the current registry to
>>>> look at differences and delete them manually?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Brian
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>