Registry cleanup tools?

On Fri, 28 Dec 2007 23:08:57 -0000, "Tony Luxton"
Eingereicht:

Umm...no, I don't think so. The only thing I can think of is to drag the
taskbar to the side or top of the screen if it's a nuisance.

HTH Tony.

The task bar can be a nuisance at any edge of the screen. It pops
up any time I bring the mouse pointer to that edge of the screen.
I was just hoping there was some provision for making this pop-up
action respond only with a double click or some such. Oh, well,
I've lived with it for years, I guess I'll continue to get by.

Gordon

"Gordon" wrote in message
.. .
On Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:55:38 -0000, "Tony Luxton"
Eingereicht:

Hi Gordon,

What you've been told is correct - XP is very good at using a registry
full
of baggage, it doesn't affect it at all.

Re the taskbar - right-click the taskbar, select Properties, and tick
"Auto-hide the Taskbar".

HTH Tony.

Tony, I've done this but the taskbar jumps up in the way every
time I move the mouse pointer down to the bottom of the screen. I
sometimes need to move the mouse pointer to or near the bottom of
the screen to select other things, but I often have the toolbar
jump up and block my access to the desired selection.

I would like the taskbar to NOT pop up unless I move the mouse
pointer down there then double click, or some such. Is there any
way to accomplish this?

Gordon

Gordon wrote:
Tony, I've done this but the taskbar jumps up in the way every
time I move the mouse pointer down to the bottom of the screen. I
sometimes need to move the mouse pointer to or near the bottom of
the screen to select other things, but I often have the toolbar
jump up and block my access to the desired selection.

I would like the taskbar to NOT pop up unless I move the mouse
pointer down there then double click, or some such. Is there any
way to accomplish this?

Tony Luxton wrote:
Umm...no, I don't think so. The only thing I can think of is to
drag the taskbar to the side or top of the screen if it's a
nuisance.

Gordon wrote:
The task bar can be a nuisance at any edge of the screen. It pops
up any time I bring the mouse pointer to that edge of the screen.
I was just hoping there was some provision for making this pop-up
action respond only with a double click or some such. Oh, well,
I've lived with it for years, I guess I'll continue to get by.

Sounds more like you need to rethink how you arrange your desktop and how
much stuff you have on it.

There is no reason to have an icon close enough to the area where you chose
to auto-hide the taskbar that you would have to go there to select it. One
common work-around would be folders - you can organize your icons into
folders - just like they would be in the start menu. Less icons on the
desktop means less chance any will have to be placed in an area where you
would have to approach the taskbar to click on it.

Another option is a larger monitor/higher resolution. More space on the
desktop - less chance of having an icon near the taskbar area. Of course -
you still have to follow some organizational premise or you will fill it up
and have to put icons in the area you wish not to apporach.

Another option... resize the taskbar to just a 'sliver'. It's not as
completely gone as auto-hide - but close. And to get it back you click on
it and drag it larger/click on it drag it smaller to make it 'disappear'
again.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

On Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:16:38 -0600, "Shenan Stanley"
Eingereicht:

Gordon wrote:
Tony, I've done this but the taskbar jumps up in the way every
time I move the mouse pointer down to the bottom of the screen. I
sometimes need to move the mouse pointer to or near the bottom of
the screen to select other things, but I often have the toolbar
jump up and block my access to the desired selection.

I would like the taskbar to NOT pop up unless I move the mouse
pointer down there then double click, or some such. Is there any
way to accomplish this?

Tony Luxton wrote:
Umm...no, I don't think so. The only thing I can think of is to
drag the taskbar to the side or top of the screen if it's a
nuisance.

Gordon wrote:
The task bar can be a nuisance at any edge of the screen. It pops
up any time I bring the mouse pointer to that edge of the screen.
I was just hoping there was some provision for making this pop-up
action respond only with a double click or some such. Oh, well,
I've lived with it for years, I guess I'll continue to get by.

Sounds more like you need to rethink how you arrange your desktop and how
much stuff you have on it.

There is no reason to have an icon close enough to the area where you chose
to auto-hide the taskbar that you would have to go there to select it. One
common work-around would be folders - you can organize your icons into
folders - just like they would be in the start menu. Less icons on the
desktop means less chance any will have to be placed in an area where you
would have to approach the taskbar to click on it.

I keep my desktop clear of any icons. I use the shortcut key
combination (Ctrl - Alt - W for MS Word, etc.) to open my client
software. But, many of these applications have a page selection
or something like that at the bottom or along one edge of the
page. When I use this, I frequently cause the toolbar to pop up
and block access to the page selection or what ever it was I
intended to use.

Another option is a larger monitor/higher resolution. More space on the
desktop - less chance of having an icon near the taskbar area. Of course -
you still have to follow some organizational premise or you will fill it up
and have to put icons in the area you wish not to apporach.

I am using an ACER 22 inch digital monitor with the resolution
set at 1024 by 768 pixels. The only workable solution I've found
is to size my client software windows such that they don't reach
to the edge of the screen, or to just set the taskbar such that
id stays in place all the time and does not/can not overlap the
client software window.

Another option... resize the taskbar to just a 'sliver'. It's not as
completely gone as auto-hide - but close. And to get it back you click on
it and drag it larger/click on it drag it smaller to make it 'disappear'
again.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP

I have my taskbar sized down to the smallest size I can use and
still read the items on it. But, it is still wide enough to cover
things like page selection tabs on a client software that I'm
using.
Gordon

Another suggestion, Gordon - uncheck "Keep the taskbar on top of other
windows". Then you can click in your application window to hide it, and
press "win" to show the taskbar again (or "ctrl+esc").

HTH Tony.

"Gordon" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:16:38 -0600, "Shenan Stanley"
Eingereicht:

Gordon wrote:
Tony, I've done this but the taskbar jumps up in the way every
time I move the mouse pointer down to the bottom of the screen. I
sometimes need to move the mouse pointer to or near the bottom of
the screen to select other things, but I often have the toolbar
jump up and block my access to the desired selection.

I would like the taskbar to NOT pop up unless I move the mouse
pointer down there then double click, or some such. Is there any
way to accomplish this?

Tony Luxton wrote:
Umm...no, I don't think so. The only thing I can think of is to
drag the taskbar to the side or top of the screen if it's a
nuisance.

Gordon wrote:
The task bar can be a nuisance at any edge of the screen. It pops
up any time I bring the mouse pointer to that edge of the screen.
I was just hoping there was some provision for making this pop-up
action respond only with a double click or some such. Oh, well,
I've lived with it for years, I guess I'll continue to get by.

Sounds more like you need to rethink how you arrange your desktop and how
much stuff you have on it.

There is no reason to have an icon close enough to the area where you
chose
to auto-hide the taskbar that you would have to go there to select it.
One
common work-around would be folders - you can organize your icons into
folders - just like they would be in the start menu. Less icons on the
desktop means less chance any will have to be placed in an area where you
would have to approach the taskbar to click on it.

I keep my desktop clear of any icons. I use the shortcut key
combination (Ctrl - Alt - W for MS Word, etc.) to open my client
software. But, many of these applications have a page selection
or something like that at the bottom or along one edge of the
page. When I use this, I frequently cause the toolbar to pop up
and block access to the page selection or what ever it was I
intended to use.

Another option is a larger monitor/higher resolution. More space on the
desktop - less chance of having an icon near the taskbar area. Of
course -
you still have to follow some organizational premise or you will fill it
up
and have to put icons in the area you wish not to apporach.

I am using an ACER 22 inch digital monitor with the resolution
set at 1024 by 768 pixels. The only workable solution I've found
is to size my client software windows such that they don't reach
to the edge of the screen, or to just set the taskbar such that
id stays in place all the time and does not/can not overlap the
client software window.

Another option... resize the taskbar to just a 'sliver'. It's not as
completely gone as auto-hide - but close. And to get it back you click on
it and drag it larger/click on it drag it smaller to make it 'disappear'
again.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP

I have my taskbar sized down to the smallest size I can use and
still read the items on it. But, it is still wide enough to cover
things like page selection tabs on a client software that I'm
using.
Gordon

On Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:46:24 -0000, "Tony Luxton"
Eingereicht:

Another suggestion, Gordon - uncheck "Keep the taskbar on top of other
windows". Then you can click in your application window to hide it, and
press "win" to show the taskbar again (or "ctrl+esc").

HTH Tony.

Hey! That works very well indeed. This is just what I was looking
for. Thanks, Tony.


"Gordon" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:16:38 -0600, "Shenan Stanley"
Eingereicht:

Gordon wrote:
Tony, I've done this but the taskbar jumps up in the way every
time I move the mouse pointer down to the bottom of the screen. I
sometimes need to move the mouse pointer to or near the bottom of
the screen to select other things, but I often have the toolbar
jump up and block my access to the desired selection.

I would like the taskbar to NOT pop up unless I move the mouse
pointer down there then double click, or some such. Is there any
way to accomplish this?

Tony Luxton wrote:
Umm...no, I don't think so. The only thing I can think of is to
drag the taskbar to the side or top of the screen if it's a
nuisance.

Gordon wrote:
The task bar can be a nuisance at any edge of the screen. It pops
up any time I bring the mouse pointer to that edge of the screen.
I was just hoping there was some provision for making this pop-up
action respond only with a double click or some such. Oh, well,
I've lived with it for years, I guess I'll continue to get by.

Sounds more like you need to rethink how you arrange your desktop and how
much stuff you have on it.

There is no reason to have an icon close enough to the area where you
chose
to auto-hide the taskbar that you would have to go there to select it.
One
common work-around would be folders - you can organize your icons into
folders - just like they would be in the start menu. Less icons on the
desktop means less chance any will have to be placed in an area where you
would have to approach the taskbar to click on it.

I keep my desktop clear of any icons. I use the shortcut key
combination (Ctrl - Alt - W for MS Word, etc.) to open my client
software. But, many of these applications have a page selection
or something like that at the bottom or along one edge of the
page. When I use this, I frequently cause the toolbar to pop up
and block access to the page selection or what ever it was I
intended to use.

Another option is a larger monitor/higher resolution. More space on the
desktop - less chance of having an icon near the taskbar area. Of
course -
you still have to follow some organizational premise or you will fill it
up
and have to put icons in the area you wish not to apporach.

I am using an ACER 22 inch digital monitor with the resolution
set at 1024 by 768 pixels. The only workable solution I've found
is to size my client software windows such that they don't reach
to the edge of the screen, or to just set the taskbar such that
id stays in place all the time and does not/can not overlap the
client software window.

Another option... resize the taskbar to just a 'sliver'. It's not as
completely gone as auto-hide - but close. And to get it back you click on
it and drag it larger/click on it drag it smaller to make it 'disappear'
again.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP

I have my taskbar sized down to the smallest size I can use and
still read the items on it. But, it is still wide enough to cover
things like page selection tabs on a client software that I'm
using.
Gordon

You're welcome, Gordon - glad we sorted it out. And thanks for posting back!

Regards Tony.


"Gordon" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:46:24 -0000, "Tony Luxton"
Eingereicht:

Another suggestion, Gordon - uncheck "Keep the taskbar on top of other
windows". Then you can click in your application window to hide it, and
press "win" to show the taskbar again (or "ctrl+esc").

HTH Tony.

Hey! That works very well indeed. This is just what I was looking
for. Thanks, Tony.


"Gordon" wrote in message
. ..
On Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:16:38 -0600, "Shenan Stanley"
Eingereicht:

Gordon wrote:
Tony, I've done this but the taskbar jumps up in the way every
time I move the mouse pointer down to the bottom of the screen. I
sometimes need to move the mouse pointer to or near the bottom of
the screen to select other things, but I often have the toolbar
jump up and block my access to the desired selection.

I would like the taskbar to NOT pop up unless I move the mouse
pointer down there then double click, or some such. Is there any
way to accomplish this?

Tony Luxton wrote:
Umm...no, I don't think so. The only thing I can think of is to
drag the taskbar to the side or top of the screen if it's a
nuisance.

Gordon wrote:
The task bar can be a nuisance at any edge of the screen. It pops
up any time I bring the mouse pointer to that edge of the screen.
I was just hoping there was some provision for making this pop-up
action respond only with a double click or some such. Oh, well,
I've lived with it for years, I guess I'll continue to get by.

Sounds more like you need to rethink how you arrange your desktop and
how
much stuff you have on it.

There is no reason to have an icon close enough to the area where you
chose
to auto-hide the taskbar that you would have to go there to select it.
One
common work-around would be folders - you can organize your icons into
folders - just like they would be in the start menu. Less icons on the
desktop means less chance any will have to be placed in an area where
you
would have to approach the taskbar to click on it.

I keep my desktop clear of any icons. I use the shortcut key
combination (Ctrl - Alt - W for MS Word, etc.) to open my client
software. But, many of these applications have a page selection
or something like that at the bottom or along one edge of the
page. When I use this, I frequently cause the toolbar to pop up
and block access to the page selection or what ever it was I
intended to use.

Another option is a larger monitor/higher resolution. More space on the
desktop - less chance of having an icon near the taskbar area. Of
course -
you still have to follow some organizational premise or you will fill it
up
and have to put icons in the area you wish not to apporach.

I am using an ACER 22 inch digital monitor with the resolution
set at 1024 by 768 pixels. The only workable solution I've found
is to size my client software windows such that they don't reach
to the edge of the screen, or to just set the taskbar such that
id stays in place all the time and does not/can not overlap the
client software window.

Another option... resize the taskbar to just a 'sliver'. It's not as
completely gone as auto-hide - but close. And to get it back you click
on
it and drag it larger/click on it drag it smaller to make it 'disappear'
again.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP

I have my taskbar sized down to the smallest size I can use and
still read the items on it. But, it is still wide enough to cover
things like page selection tabs on a client software that I'm
using.
Gordon

As a developer, I can understand the value of cleaning the registry. I don't
know what the value is, but it makes sense that it would be worthwhile.

One thing that might need to be cleaned up is the information about
registered DLLs. If a registered DLL is (to be) deleted, Windows will warn
us that deleting the file could make other software fail. If we delete the
file anyway then the registration information lingers in the registry and
will never be removed unless it is cleaned by something such as a registry
cleaner. The orphaned registration information will not cause a problem that
I am aware of but there might be a combination of other conditions that
could result in a problem that is very difficult to diagnose.

For example, if a client of the registerd DLL were try to use the DLL then
it would get the registration information eventhough the DLL is gone. If the
developer of the client is sloppy and does not check for errors then it
might (I don't know for sure) crash and the user might then curse at
Microsoft for being sloppy. In that situation, the guilty would be the
person that deleted the DLL or whatever. A registry cleaner should remove
the registration information since the registration information specifies a
DLL that does not exist. Note that there are many DLLs that get registered
that do not have a dll extension.

I certainly agree that it is very possible for a registry cleaner to mess up
a system. I am not familiar with any of them except there is or was a
registry cleaner provided by Microsoft for free that is nearly certainly
safe.

I recommend being skeptical of anyone saying that all registry cleaners are
unsafe. Continue in your quest for a safe one. Do of course be careful and
be skeptical of registry cleaners that the developer/provider is not well
known.


"Gordon" wrote in message
...
I have been running Windows XP Pro since it was released but have
never done a registry clean-up. I now have Version 2002 SP 2 and
am not aware of any problems.

I am sure the registry is full of left-overs and needs to be
cleaned from time to time but I don't know what is the best
approach. Can someone recommend a specific reg-clean software
that would do the job with the least risk?

Thanks Gordon

Sam Hobbs wrote:

As a developer, I can understand the value of cleaning the registry. I don't
know what the value is, but it makes sense that it would be worthwhile.

And if you run a race or marathon don't forget to clean out your belly
button lint. I don't know what the value is, but it makes sense that it
would be worthwhile, after all if you are a bit lighter you will
certainly run faster... It probably helps with all sports.

John

Sam Hobbs wrote:
As a developer, I can understand the value of cleaning the registry. I don't
know what the value is, but it makes sense that it would be worthwhile.


I'm sorry, but the above makes no sense, whatsover. If you don't know
the value of something, how can it possibly "Make sense" to you that
it's worthwhile?


One thing that might need to be cleaned up is the information about
registered DLLs. If a registered DLL is (to be) deleted, Windows will warn
us that deleting the file could make other software fail. If we delete the
file anyway then the registration information lingers in the registry and
will never be removed unless it is cleaned by something such as a registry
cleaner. The orphaned registration information will not cause a problem that
I am aware of but there might be a combination of other conditions that
could result in a problem that is very difficult to diagnose.



The above scenario would produce a clear error message stating that the
DLL could not be found, enabling one to reinstall the application that
still needs it. No need to remove the entry entirely from the registry,
because doing so would produce a more cryptic error, lacking the path to
the missing file.


For example, if a client of the registerd DLL were try to use the DLL then
it would get the registration information eventhough the DLL is gone. If the
developer of the client is sloppy and does not check for errors then it
might (I don't know for sure) crash and the user might then curse at
Microsoft for being sloppy.


Yes, people do always blame Microsoft. Even when it's a poorly
designed application that's at fault. How would cleaning the registry
change this?


In that situation, the guilty would be the
person that deleted the DLL or whatever. A registry cleaner should remove
the registration information since the registration information specifies a
DLL that does not exist. Note that there are many DLLs that get registered
that do not have a dll extension.


How does using a registry "cleaner" absolve an idiot of guilt for
removing registry entries necessary to the proper operation of an
application?


I certainly agree that it is very possible for a registry cleaner to mess up
a system. I am not familiar with any of them except there is or was a
registry cleaner provided by Microsoft for free that is nearly certainly
safe.


How can you conclude that Microsoft's registry cleaner is safe, if
you're unfamiliar with registry "cleaners," in general? What sort of
leap of faith is that?


I recommend being skeptical of anyone saying that all registry cleaners are
unsafe. Continue in your quest for a safe one. Do of course be careful and
be skeptical of registry cleaners that the developer/provider is not well
known.



And I recommend being skeptical of a so-called, self-proclaimed
"developer" who admits about his ignorance of a subject (the registry
and registry cleaning) but then recommends that people so it anyway.
What software product(s) do you "develop?" I want to be sure to avoid
using it(them).


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Bruce Chambers wrote:
Sam Hobbs wrote:
As a developer, I can understand the value of cleaning the registry.
I don't know what the value is, but it makes sense that it would be
worthwhile.

I'm sorry, but the above makes no sense, whatsover. If you don't know
the value of something, how can it possibly "Make sense" to you that
it's worthwhile?

It actually makes more sense than your closed-minded never justified
mindset, believe me.

....


How can you conclude that Microsoft's registry cleaner is safe, if
you're unfamiliar with registry "cleaners," in general? What sort of
leap of faith is that?


I recommend being skeptical of anyone saying that all registry
cleaners are unsafe. Continue in your quest for a safe one. Do of
course be careful and be skeptical of registry cleaners that the
developer/provider is not well known.

It was safe, "back then". AFAIK it no longer exists. Others do though,
that are safe, do backups, can recover removed entries and work very
well. But you know that; you're just ****ed because your ego is
questioned. I on the other hand could be convinced to change my
opinion, based on verifiable evidence, if it existed, which you have
failed to supply over and over and over, over the years of your
ignorance here. You appear to be "sure" of your opinion in the same
manner this poster used in his introductory paragraph.
It' too bad you insist on continuing your tirade because every time
you do, you add further challenges to your own value to this or any
group you participate on.




And I recommend being skeptical of a so-called, self-proclaimed
"developer" who admits about his ignorance of a subject (the registry
and registry cleaning) but then recommends that people so it anyway.
What software product(s) do you "develop?" I want to be sure to avoid
using it(them).

And I recommend being skeptical of any closed mind unwilling to consider
or even accept new input. Instead of trying to troll the OP into a
troll-fest, why don't you just try to get a grasp on reality?

Pop`

"Bruce Chambers" wrote in message
...

The above scenario would produce a clear error message stating that the
DLL could not be found, enabling one to reinstall the application that
still needs it. No need to remove the entry entirely from the registry,
because doing so would produce a more cryptic error, lacking the path to
the missing file.

Do you understand the difference between a regular DLL that is not
registered and a COM object or other registered DLL that requires
registration for Windows to find? How does Windows find a COM object DLL or
other registered DLL? The following page shows a "Sample of the Registry
Entries for a Simple COM Object". Note that the page is in my web site; I
wrote that page.

http://simplesamples.info/Windows/CO...OMRegistry.php

That sample is an out-of-process (local) server, which means it is an exe
specified in the LocalServer32 key. An in-process server is implemented in a
DLL and the location of them are specified in the InprocServer32 key.

The link in that page to "COM Registry Entries" is not working; the page is
at:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms680055.aspx

That page in the MSDN does not say much but the "See Also" links have
relevant details. Those details are incomplete so it is necessary to do a
lot of reading to get some of the details I show in my sample.

That stuff shows how registered DLLs are located. There is no direct
indication in the exe file of what DLLs are used for COM objects (and such)
so it is not possible for Windows to issue an error message in the manner
you describe about a missing DLL that is registered and the client (program)
is using the server but not using the DLL as a regular DLL.

Sam Hobbs wrote:
"Bruce Chambers" wrote in message
...
The above scenario would produce a clear error message stating that the
DLL could not be found, enabling one to reinstall the application that
still needs it. No need to remove the entry entirely from the registry,
because doing so would produce a more cryptic error, lacking the path to
the missing file.

Do you understand the difference between a regular DLL that is not
registered and a COM object or other registered DLL that requires
registration for Windows to find? How does Windows find a COM object DLL or
other registered DLL? The following page shows a "Sample of the Registry
Entries for a Simple COM Object". Note that the page is in my web site; I
wrote that page.

http://simplesamples.info/Windows/CO...OMRegistry.php

That sample is an out-of-process (local) server, which means it is an exe
specified in the LocalServer32 key. An in-process server is implemented in a
DLL and the location of them are specified in the InprocServer32 key.

The link in that page to "COM Registry Entries" is not working; the page is
at:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms680055.aspx

That page in the MSDN does not say much but the "See Also" links have
relevant details. Those details are incomplete so it is necessary to do a
lot of reading to get some of the details I show in my sample.

That stuff shows how registered DLLs are located. There is no direct
indication in the exe file of what DLLs are used for COM objects (and such)
so it is not possible for Windows to issue an error message in the manner
you describe about a missing DLL that is registered and the client (program)
is using the server but not using the DLL as a regular DLL.





Thanks for providing the links to prove my point.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

"Bruce Chambers" wrote in message
...

Thanks for providing the links to prove my point.

Actually I did not, but if your belief that I did will get us out of here
then that will be good.