NTREGOPT ======== Registry Optimization for Windows NT/2000/XP v1.1a, 10/03/2002, Freeware Written by Lars Hederer lars.hederer@t-online.de Look for the latest version here: http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt To find out what's new in this version, please see the "Version history" section later in this file. Introduction ------------ Similar to Windows 9x/Me, the registry files in an NT-based system can become fragmented over time, occupying more space on your hard disk than necessary and decreasing overall performance. You should use the NTREGOPT utility regularly, but especially after installing or uninstalling a program, to minimize the size of the registry files and optimize registry access. The program works by recreating each registry hive "from scratch", thus removing any slack space that may be left from previously modified or deleted keys. Note that the program does NOT change the contents of the registry in any way, nor does it defrag the registry files "on-disk" (as the PageDefrag program from SysInternals does). The optimization done by NTREGOPT is simply compacting the registry hives to the minimum size possible. System Requirements ------------------- - Windows NT/2000/XP Installation ------------ Unzip all files into a folder of your choice, and if you want, create a shortcut on your desktop to the NTREGOPT program. Uninstallation -------------- Delete the NTREGOPT folder, delete the appropriate desktop icon. Optimizing the registry with NTREGOPT ------------------------------------- Note: To ensure proper operation of NTREGOPT, you should be logged in as a system administrator. To optimize your registry, simply run NTREGOPT, click OK, and when the process is complete click OK to reboot the computer. You should do so immediately because any changes made to the registry after NTREGOPT has been run are lost after the reboot. Note that depending on your system configuration the optimization process may take some time, and that the first bar is NOT a progress bar, just an indicator that the program is still running. NTREGOPT command line switches ------------------------------ NTREGOPT supports command line switches with which you can perform a "silent" registry optimization, without user interaction. The syntax for the NTREGOPT command line is: NTREGOPT silent [/noprogresswindow] [/reboot] (Switches in brackets are optional.) Description of the command line switches: silent Puts NTREGOPT into "silent" mode and enables the other switches. /noprogresswindow Hides the progress window during optimization. /reboot Automatically reboots the computer when optimization of the registry is complete. Localization ------------ You can translate this program into your language by editing the NTREGOPT.LOC file. Keep in mind that the file should be edited using a Windows based editor (Notepad), to ensure that any OEM characters are displayed correctly in the program. If you want your localization to be available to the general public, you are welcome to send your translated file to me. If I approve, I will include it on my website for download, with credits of course. I have included a German language file. If you want to use the program in German, simply unzip LOC_GER.ZIP into your NTREGOPT folder. List of files in the package ---------------------------- LIESMICH.TXT German Readme file LOC_GER.ZIP German localization file NTREGOPT.EXE NT Registry Optimizer NTREGOPT.LOC NT Registry Optimizer - English localization file README.TXT The file you're just reading :) Version history --------------- v1.1a - Fixed a problem where the registry hives could not be optimized on some systems. v1.1 - Added command line support - Show optimization results (initial and new registry size) v1.0 - Initial release Disclaimer ---------- The NTREGOPT program is freeware. Please pass it to anyone who you think may find it useful. I explicitly allow this program to be included in any file archive, CD-ROM or other media collection as long as all files remain unchanged. A quick note via email where my program has been included is appreciated. One final word -------------- Use this program at your own risk. I do not take responsibility for anything that might happen to you or the PC upon use of my programs, including but not limited to: registry destruction, hard disk crash, heart attack... Comments and suggestions via email, however, are always welcome!