- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (First 6 sections repairing trial); $29.95 to buy
- Operating system: Windows XP/Vista/7
- Date added: October 20, 2009
- Total Downloads: 8,944,163
- Downloads last week: 5,811
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 944 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on November 03, 2009
Registry Mechanic checks your Registry for errors that can slow down and crash your computer, and provides you with a full toolbox for finding and repairing your Registry. The utility can find a wide range of defects, including references to uninstalled programs, missing help files and virtual devices, broken shortcuts, and removed fonts and configuration files. It also can automatically repair invalid entries at Windows start-up.
Under Optimize, the Quick Scan has been abandoned in this version in favor of an exceedingly fast and comprehensive Deep Scan. The program also makes backups, so it's easy to restore a fix gone wrong. There's a Registry defragger, and a Tuneup Services option that optimizes Windows boot services. Click on either Recommended or Minimal to see which services will be toggled, and to customize them. The Monitor tab tracks your system's Registry, services, and performance behaviors, while the Windows Tools section contains a series of links to Windows' default tools. This could be better explained, but choose an option and you'll find out soon enough that these tools are the default ones that come with Windows, but collected in one place. The interface isn't bad, but it feels a bit jumbled, and presents a lot of open white space without clear directions for what the user should do.
The stringent restrictions on the trial version make it difficult to analyze the effectiveness of the program. The trialware allows for only five sections of the registry to be repaired, and the compacter, defrag, and system optimization buttons were also hamstrung. During the trial, we recommend deselecting all of the errors discovered, and then carefully choosing which errors you think you can verify as being repaired to see if you want to purchase it. Registry Mechanic is a good program, but you won't get something for nothing here.
Watch the CNET video review of Registry Mechanic:
Publisher's description
From PC Tools :Registry Mechanic is an advanced registry cleaner for Windows that allows you to safely scan, clean, and repair registry problems with a few simple mouse clicks. With a few easy steps, Registry Mechanic will scan your entire registry for any invalid entries and provide a list of the errors found. You then can choose to clean each item or automatically repair them all after making a backup without the need for a registry editor such as Regedit.
What's new in this version:
- Performance monitoring technology provides options to improve start up and shut down times.
- System Monitor assesses your PC's start up and shut down performance, highlighting potential issues.
- Manage your services with a streamlined interface that gives you control over Windows services.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.2 stars out of 944 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 52 user reviewsSee all 52 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Registry Mechanic 9.0
"Not very happy with purchase."
Pros: I guess it works.
Cons: I don't know for sure if it works.
Summary: I'd forgotten that I'd purchased this item so when it arrived with no instructions, invoice or other kind of paper work I put it aside. After googling it and refreshing my memory, I installed the CD and ran it and noticed no difference/
I'm no... read more >> -
Version: Registry Mechanic 9.0
"DON'T BOTHER UNLESS YOU PURCHASE!"
Pros: I downloaded and watched it find 120 registry "errors" BUT!!! ........ it would only repair TWO yes thats "2" errors and would not fix anymore unless i was purchasing! I uninstalled it, of course. Had no choice!
Cons: Useless unless you are going to purchase it. Don't waste your time downloading this if you intend to "TRY" it out.
Summary: Don't bother. After reading the reviewer below who purchased and then could not stop the company from AUTOMATICALLY renewing his contract for this software - i suggest all comers stay back!! LOL!!
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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Registry Mechanic 9.0
"Partially disabled system - didn't work for me"
Pros: Seems to work well, but one can't be sure. The trial version lets you repair just the first 50 or so registry errors. So couldn't really tell whether it works of not.
Cons: Limited trial version
Summary: Won't recommend it.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Registry Mechanic 9.0
"Be afraid. Watch out for your credit card"
Pros: It worked.
Cons: Automatic annual renewal was required at purchase. Cancelling the renewal was nearly impossible. I was told by PC Tools rep that a third party controls the renewals and they would "submit my request to cancel", but could not promise cancellation.
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Version: Registry Mechanic 9.0
"Be Careful what you allow it to fix"
Pros: I've helped friends fix their PC with this when they were ready to junk it. I'm not a PC guru and don't understand all the things it does with the registry. The license is good for 3 PC's, I wish all the software offered this.
Cons: The progom gets crazy sometimes and makes a mess, bring the PC to a crawl. But it has caused problems that made matters worse so make sure you allow the program to backup so you can "undo" what it last fixed.
- See all 52 user reviews Write review
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