In the domain of registry cleaners there are several debates currently on the table. Just like any other technology, it has its detractors and proponents. Because there is an element of fear involved in the need for these types of tools, just like anti-virus software and anti-spyware software some marketers take advantage of these fears and manage to squeeze cash out of consumers’ pockets without delivering on their promises. Others say that using these tools gives no discernible performance benefit while others tout their graces. Overall though, based on the evidence, who is correct? Should you use these tools?
Debate No. 1: Benefits
Ever since they came out, experts have been arguing over the benefits offered by registry cleaners; some saying that they are negligible to none at all, while others say that they are significant and should not be ignored. One fact that they do agree on is that if your registry gets corrupted or if there are significant errors in it, there will be an important detrimental impact to your machines performance.
The divergent opinions stem from the fact that one computer registry is very different from the other depending on the applications and devices installed, and its history. In effect what might do absolutely nothing for one computer might do wonders for another. There is no way around trying these tools out for yourself and judging based on your personal experience. Two hints that signal you might have a problem in your registry are: Unusually long boot up times for your machine; and unusually long application start up times or intermittent errors.
Debate No. 2: Ethical Marketing
Another issue that comes up among experts is the type of marketing that is used to sell registry cleaning tools. If there is confusion around the perceived benefit of these solutions, imagine, on top of that if you have predatory marketers that take advantage of the fears of consumers to make a buck; how can there not be controversy surrounding their use? Although these types of tactics are nothing new in any industry, for the registry cleaning niche it has become rather exaggerated.
Examples of these types of tactics are products that are touted as free; they even include the word free in their name, such as free registry fix, and others. Some of these are actually free, others require payment.
Another problem is the “try and buy” scheme. In itself there is no issue, and it is a common sales process for many software companies; but when tied to the fear associated with having an “error” in your computer registry file, and loosing precious data and time, then it just feels forced. In this scheme you download software for free, you run a “free” scan that tells you your registry is corrupt and shows you a ton of errors to correct but… you can only correct them if you pay.
There is an easy way to steer clear from these types of products…your gut. Look for reputable software firms that have a precedent of adding value to the net. If it feels wrong, it probably is.
Hopefully we have helped clarify some of the controversy that surrounds the registry cleaning software utility space. If you take the two criteria mentioned above and use them to steer your decisions, coupled with a good dose of common sense you should be OK…and your computer as well.
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