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The windows registry contains lots of information. It's consistency can be
checked with good commercial programs like SymantecÖ System Works. But there
are some small things I miss with those programs. Here's what SpyBot-S&D
searches for:
- Missing help files û the registry contains information about the
location of some help files. If those information points to incorrect
directories, Spybot-S&D will tell and allow to fix.
- Missing shared DLLs û the registry contains a list of dynamic
link libraries, where they are located and how many programs use them.
SpyBot-S&D checks if all locations are correct and allows to change
them if not.
- Application paths û some applications (mostly those registered to
a file extension) are registered in the registry. If they are pointing to a
no longer existent program file, Spybot-S&D can change their path or
delete their entry.
- Wrong Uninstall information û every program that has it's own
uninstall routine stores some information about it in the registry. If this
information is incorrect, Spybot-S&D will tell. For example, the uninstall
program may have been located inside a temp directory (there are lots of
programs that stupid!).
- Broken Desktop Links û if one of the links on your desktop links
to a file that no longer exists, Spybot-S&D will tell you and allow
you to either point the link to another file or delete it.
Warning: Please be aware that changes to these items can corrupt your
system! If you are not sure whether a setting is really a problem, it is
better leave to it alone!
This warning especially applies if you use Microsoft OfficeÖ. This software
suite has some registry entries pointing to wrong directories and some even
pointing to non-existent help files. I've changed the first, but I wouldn't
delete the second kind of, because they may well point to files that will be
installed on that "Install on first use" basis.
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