# Registry Mechanic

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registry-mechanic/267195>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 2, 2004, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registry-mechanic/267195 "2004-10-02T13:50:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![milquetoast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@milquetoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milquetoast)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2004, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registry-mechanic/267195/1 "2004-10-02T13:50:29Z")

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I downloaded the trial version of Registry Mechanic a couple of months ago. The number of errors it detects that can only be cleaned by registerd versions is increasing, so I’m thinking about buying a registered version. What experiences have you had with it? Is it worth $29.95 a year?

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**Author:** ![milquetoast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@milquetoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milquetoast)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2004, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registry-mechanic/267195/2 "2004-10-02T13:56:20Z")

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Okay, I’m a complete dope (as opposed to a doper). That was really an opinion question, not a GQ, so I will have a mod move this to IMHO. However, I do have a factually question so I’m not completely wasting your time:

The [Registry Mechanic](http://www.winguides.com/regmech/) website says it’s $29.95 for the product that inlcudes a year of free updates and support. If you purchase the product at $29.95, how much does it cost annually for updates and support. Is it $29.95 every year, or is less than that each year once you paid the initial $29.95?

Thanks! Now, off to tell the mods I’m an idiot.

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2004, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registry-mechanic/267195/3 "2004-10-02T14:15:31Z")

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I’ve had it installed for some time now and am experiencing no problems. It allows you to create a backup in the event that something vital gets deleted from the registry. It seems to be a good program for getting rid of residuals from old deleted programs.

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**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2004, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registry-mechanic/267195/4 "2004-10-02T20:27:53Z")

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Moved to IMHO at the request of the OP.

bibliophage  
moderator GQ

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**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\
**Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registry-mechanic/267195/5 "2004-10-03T02:46:47Z")

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I wouldn’t pay for a registry cleaner.  
Have you tried any of the free ones? Such as [RegSeeker](http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm) to see if they will fill your needs?

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**Author:** ![suezeekay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@suezeekay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suezeekay)\
**Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/registry-mechanic/267195/6 "2004-10-03T05:45:48Z")

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I got by for 5 years with free registry cleaners, even using the one that only cleans 10 at a time. Boy did that take the better part of a day. I finally gave in an bought Registry Mechanic and it works fairly well, except that I have to repair Windows afterwards. But, no biggie.