Registry cleaners

[#1]

I suspect like many people I believe my PC is slower than it used to be.
Is a Registry cleaner the answer?  If so which one?
Advice welcomed.
I'm on XP, use Firefox and don't mind paying if it works!
Regards.......

[#2]

I use free CCleaner.

[#3]

Many thanks dgdclynx, I'll try CCleaner
Regards.....

[#4]

I also use CCleaner....
I use it every night to clear all rubbish accumulated during the day on the net....!... before I shut down... takes only a few seconds....
then about once a month I use the Reg Cleaner (the broken rubic`s cube - registry) to clear away any odd bits left from part install/unistalls, etc...
I also use Eusing Registry cleaner after I have done the CCleaner...... both progs are FREE !

[#5]

That frequently shutter?
Thanks for your guidance.
Regards.....

[#6]

all I can say he must look at a load of rubbish, dont get much on mine, and I like to keep the usefull cookies

[#7]

@ pierre 
@ fotobits.... yes, I do it as a matter of routine..... just to keep it clean!.... don`t need to keep cookies.... you get a new one every time you go to a site, so why keep the old one`s?
(your first run may take a few minutes, but when you have cleared out most of the crud, then give it another run...... then it will be very quick)

[#8]

I used CCleaner for a while, then received a free trial for PCTools Registry Cleaner. It was much more effective. Offers turn up fairly regularly in computer magazine discs.

[#9]

Quote from: fotobits

I suspect like many people I believe my PC is slower than it used to be.

Start by looking at your RAM usage (Task Manager will do initially).
If it's more than about 70% then I'd add more.
These days there are very few XP systems that run happily in 512MB whereas 1GB suffices for almost all.
After that is sorted I'd be looking at what tasks are soaking up CPU and whether they can be dropped.
(and make sure the disk isn't getting full)

[#10]

or need a good defrag

[#11]

I use CCleaner like Shutter but not as often.  Tend to only use it if I think my PC is running slowly. 

[#12]

found a freebie Ashampoo Winoptimizer 2010 download on http://www.v3.co.uk in their downloads section look in promotional offers> free full software
requires you to get a free code by email to unlock it.
could try that & see if it finds other things Ccleaner misses?
then run the defragger from the same mob as ccleaner -- defraggler

[#13]

Many thanks HPsauce and pierre_pierre.  Currently :-
RAM : Cache 1/2G, Available 1-1/2G,  Total 2G
HDD : Used 53G, Free 315G, Total 368G
Defrag scheduled using Norton 360.  Rarely executed as fragmentation <10%
I've tried CCleaner and, hard to tell, however seems improved.
Regards....

[#14]

How big is a Windows registry (in MB)?
I bet it is a large number...
Boot time is measured in minutes for my 3 year old Windows XP laptop - it used to be measured in seconds.

[#15]

Many thanks everyone for your responses and help.
I have implemented CCleaner and, currently, my PC is more responsive and I'm satisfied with the results.
Regards.....