Which Win11 optimizer do you guys use?

GPaul · Aug 7, 2022

HI all,

I need advice on software that is easy to use and clean windows 11( especially old registry entries). I just received this win 11 Zenbook and I wish to keep it in good shape. At the moment I'm using windows tools like disk cleanup then defragment but I feel like more could be done. Also is there a comprehensive guide to optimising Win11 on this forum?

Thanks
Paul

FreeBooter · Aug 7, 2022

Registry cleaners are extremely powerful applications, and their potential for harming your OS far outweighs any small potential for improving your computer's performance.

There are a number of them available, and some are more safe than others. Keep in mind that no two registry cleaners work entirely the same way. Each vendor uses different criteria as to what constitutes a "bad" entry. One cleaner may find entries on your system that will not cause a problem when removed, another may not find the same entries, and still another may want to remove entries required for a program to work. Without research into what the registry entry selected for deletion is, a registry cleaner can end up being an automated method to cause problems with the registry.

For routine use by those not familiar with the registry, the benefits to your computer are negligible, while the potential risks are great.

Bree · Aug 7, 2022

GPaul said:
I need advice on software that is easy to use and clean windows 11( especially old registry entries)....

Welcome to Eleven Forum

By all means clean out junk files. But as far as registry entries go my advice is don't touch them.

There is no noticeable performance improvement in removing redundant entries, and even the mildest of registry cleaners risks removing something important.

Bree · Aug 7, 2022

GPaul said:
At the moment I'm using windows tools like disk cleanup then defragment but I feel like more could be done.

Yes, regular use of disk cleanup, particularly if you clean system files, is good practice. I do that routinely after each month's new cumulative update. In addition, more free space can be recovered by cleaning up the Component Store.

Analyze and Clean Up Component Store (WinSxS folder) in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to analyze and clean up the component store (WinSxS folder) to reduce its size in Windows 10 and Windows 11. The WinSxS folder is located in the Windows folder, for example C:\Windows\WinSxS. It’s the location for Windows Component Store files. The Windows...

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If you have an HDD, then defragmenting can help a bit too. If it's an SSD then you shouldn't defragment it, but defrag won't let you, for an SSD it should run a Trim instead. That too is good for SSDs. The default is that Windows will optimise your drive on a scheduled basis anyway, so you shouldn't need to do it manually.

But unless you're really familiar with the workings of the registry then it's safest to leave that alone. I do.

TairikuOkami · Aug 7, 2022

I turn off PC with Wise Disk and Reg Cleaner along with some manual cleanup for years, no issues here.

GPaul said:
Also is there a comprehensive guide to optimising Win11

Most guides are dealing with privacy rather than performance, 11 is doing pretty good on it's own.

Edwin · Aug 7, 2022

The best Tool I've ever found is Kerish Doctor
Not a simple utility, by normal standards, but very take you by the hand helpful within the UI itself.
YouTube is your friend as well!

glasskuter · Aug 7, 2022

Disk cleanup for cleaning temporary system files, Ccleaner for a quick cleanup of my browsers' cache and temporary user files (I do not use it's registry cleaner option and I have it's automatic maintenance turned off)
and an occasional defrag of my HDDs (not ssd).
And most important, I make regular backups. If you own a computer, a backup is your best friend in time of need.

Bree · Aug 7, 2022

glasskuter said:
Ccleaner for a quick cleanup of my browsers' cache and temporary user files (I do not use it's registry cleaner option and I have it's automatic maintenance turned off)

Yes, I use CCleaner too, and only for those purposes. It's the most convenient way to clear browser cache and cookies across all my browsers in one go, while maintaining a whitelist of the few login cookies I need to keep. I never use its registry cleaning.

MadScientist · Aug 7, 2022

I also use Ccleaner's Custom Clean function. Its Registry Cleaner's usefulness has been discussed on many forums.
Windows has built in cleaners. Under Settings, Storage, there is Storage Sense, Cleanup Recommendations, and Advance Storage Settings. Turn Storage Sense ON.
There's also Disk Cleanup for your C:\ drive; and occasionally I delete the Temp files in my C:\Users\Me\AppData\Local\Temp folder. Under View check on show Hidden Items.

jimbo45 · Aug 7, 2022

None -- not sure what you guys have on your systems but I won't install anything unless it comes with a standard method to uninstall the package too.

I don't like Registry cleaners, 3rd party uninstallers etc. If a program can't be uninstalled properly then why have it. It's like filling a car up with gas but then after its empty you can't access the gas tank any more to fill up again. !!

As far as "optimisers" are concerned if you've got sufficient RAM and a decently fast ssd / nvme there's really no need for these -- even hardware 3 or 4 years old will have decent cpu's and graphics in them.

Cheers
jimbo

glasskuter · Aug 7, 2022

jimbo45 said:
None -- not sure what you guys have on your systems but I won't install anything unless it comes with a standard method to uninstall the package too.

That's a wonderful thought if it worked like one would expect it to, but over the years it's been proven that an application's uninstaller will leave remnants behind. Even Microsoft's own programs' uninstallers do it. Revo Uninstaller is good about finding such stuff; so is Iobit. One only has to do a registry search after an application is uninstalled (using it's own uninstaller) to prove this is so. Programs are notorious for leaving files in a users appdata folder as well. The absolute worst offenders are AV programs.

Dru2 · Aug 7, 2022

None. I don't believe in them.

MadScientist · Aug 7, 2022

glasskuter said:
That's a wonderful thought if it worked like one would expect it to, but over the years it's been proven that an application's uninstaller will leave remnants behind. Even Microsoft's own programs' uninstallers do it. Revo Uninstaller is good about finding such stuff; so is Iobit. One only has to do a registry search after an application is uninstalled (using it's own uninstaller) to prove this is so. Programs are notorious for leaving files in a users appdata folder as well. The absolute worst offenders are AV programs.

I use the free version of Revo Uninstaller to uninstall applications, software, whatever. It's amazing how much Revo finds and deletes.

FreeBooter · Aug 7, 2022

glasskuter said:
That's a wonderful thought if it worked like one would expect it to, but over the years it's been proven that an application's uninstaller will leave remnants behind. Even Microsoft's own programs' uninstallers do it. Revo Uninstaller is good about finding such stuff; so is Iobit. One only has to do a registry search after an application is uninstalled (using it's own uninstaller) to prove this is so. Programs are notorious for leaving files in a users appdata folder as well. The absolute worst offenders are AV programs.

Revo Uninstaller only deletes registry entries for uninstalling applications it's safe process i use it myself but registry cleaners delete registry entries the developer thinks it will cause problem.

glasskuter · Aug 7, 2022

jimbo45 said:
I don't like Registry cleaners, 3rd party uninstallers etc. If a program can't be uninstalled properly then why have it.

@FreeBooter I was referencing his statement that he didn't use 3rd party uninstallers and not having a program if it's uninstaller won't uninstall properly.
I don't use a registry cleaner specifically but I do let Revo do it's thing on cleaning stuff an uninstalled app leaves behind. Over time, anyone who uses the 'add remove programs' to uninstall stuff is just asking for a bloated registry filled with a lot of unnecessary junk.

FreeBooter · Aug 7, 2022

glasskuter said:
@FreeBooter I was referencing his statement that he didn't use 3rd party uninstallers and not having a program if it's uninstaller won't uninstall properly.
I don't use a registry cleaner specifically but I do let Revo do it's thing on cleaning stuff an uninstalled app leaves behind. Over time, anyone who uses the 'add remove programs' to uninstall stuff is just asking for a bloated registry filled with a lot of unnecessary junk.

May bad.

fireberd · Aug 7, 2022

I (rarely) use CCleaner to delete unwanted cookies, not much else. Last time I used it I was 3 versions behind.

When I had my PC repair business, clients that screwed up their systems with registry repair programs, PC speedup, etc generated a lot of $$ for me. Most never backed up anything and if a clean install was needed would be upset over what was lost. Another thing that I tried to tell them to do was full disc backups (all partitions), not for "if" its ever needed but for "when" its needed, but that mostly did not sink in.

neemobeer · Aug 7, 2022

I don't use them. Storage is cheap and any remnants left behind have little to no impact on the system.

Edwin · Aug 7, 2022

Dru2 said:
I don't believe in them.

I don't know what I believe in..., but, I like p*ssing around with assorted software, so...

Dru2 · Aug 7, 2022

glasskuter said:
anyone who uses the 'add remove programs' to uninstall stuff is just asking for a bloated registry filled with a lot of unnecessary junk.

I've never found this "unnecessary junk" to impact my performance, impact storage space, or make me wish for a "registry cleaner".

For me, I simply let Windows manage itself and keep it moving. I don't even do OS reinstalls unless I'm forced to or build a new system.

That said, I understand everyone has their own way of managing their systems, just as I do. I guess, I just trust the process