Suggestions

[augieboo]

Just a few suggestions for a future AceUtils update...

Maintenance Wizard
1. User configurable order of functions. Currently in its static form, it isn't possible, for example, to first run reg cleaner and then the rest actions.
2. A "clean windows recycle bin" function that can be selected with other functions. I always missed that feature.

Registry Cleaner
3. An option to use a third party registry editor, instead Windows default regedit.exe. A user configurable path / command line field, would be just fine.

Disk Analysis
4. DA still doesn't save column widths / sorting order.

Thank you.

[hari]

thanks Inray, your suggestions are all implementable.

[augieboo]

Thank you Hari

[augieboo]

Any hope to include some of the above in AU 2.6 final ?

[hari]

Yes, we have time.

[augieboo]

Yes, we have time.

Thank you hari

[hari]

3. An option to use a third party registry editor, instead Windows default regedit.exe. A user configurable path / command line field, would be just fine.

This might be difficult. We use the HWND of regedit's treectrl to jump to a particular key. It might not work on other regedit tools.

[hari]

DA still doesn't save column widths / sorting order.

I think we've fixed it already in the latest beta. Are you still seeing the issue ?

[augieboo]

Can you plz let me know why this is needed ?

Many programs create and access temporary files thus registry points them in MRU or other keys. If AU scans registry before clearing temp folders, it counts those registry keys as valid thus not clearing them.
Same could happen with invalid shortcuts and some IE temp files.
Finally, please consider adding recycle bin clearing as an action to Maintenance Wizard.

This might be difficult. We use the HWND of regedit's treectrl to jump to a particular key. It might not work on other regedit tools.

Most third party registry editors, use command line to point to a specific registry key.
RegistryWorkshop for example, uses /g [regpath] command line to direct jump to a registry position. Similar commands exist in other tools like RegMagik, Resplended Registrar and others.
In that case that a configurable "exec" command line sequence in AU options could do the trick.
For example, you can add two radio buttons to select registry editor and an edit box to configure exec arguments:

(1) Internal (regedit)
(2) External registry editor

When user selects (2), editbox becomes active and allows entry of external tool arguments (eg. \path\extreg.exe /g %key)
I'm sure you know what I mean.

Thanks

[hari]

Will add the suggestions.

BTW, I never knew such options existed in other tools. I use only regedit.

Another doubt: third party regedit tools must be single instance, right ? If so, if I call another instance with a command line argument, will the newly opened instance pass the command line to the already running instance ? It depends on the way the program implements single instance handling. Some programs wont transfer the command line arguments. The new instance just quits if another instance is running.


I will replace the %key% to insert the key to jump to, and %val% to insert the value name in the command line

[augieboo]

Another doubt: third party regedit tools must be single instance, right ? If so, if I call another instance with a command line argument, will the newly opened instance pass the command line to the already running instance ? It depends on the way the program implements single instance handling. Some programs wont transfer the command line arguments. The new instance just quits if another instance is running.

Hmm, you're right hari, I didn't thought that...
I currently use Registry Workshop for all my registry maintenance tasks, great software btw. This is a single instance tool. When is executed for a second time, it just passes new command line args into main instance thus working just fine. If my memory serves me well, Resplended works this way too.

[hari]

ok, then try

http://www.acelogix.com/downloads/au_beta.exe

and check if it works.

You can rearrange the items in the Maintenance Wizrd by Shift+Up or down arrow (after selecting an item by clicking on its text)

Use the 'Advanced options' under registry cleaner to specify the path to registry workshop.

[augieboo]

Well hari,
You're really fast, I mean that
External registry editor (RegWorkshop) worked just fine without any problem using same instance. I will do some further testing using other registry editors too and keep you informed.

Same with the Wizard stuff, everything works including action rearrangement and recycle bin emptying.

Just a minor UI suggestion if you don't mind...
Registry Cleaner's context menu says "Open in RegEdit". If you plan to include third party registry tool support, I think that you should consider changing that menu text to something more generic like "Open in Registry Editor".

UPDATE: JFYI I've noticed that current beta doesn't save external regedit, recycle bin emptying selection and wizard item arrangement.

I really appreciate your efforts to implement my suggestions.

Thank you

[hari]

hi

Not saving the 'empty bin' option was done on purpose. It could become a problem if a user wants his files back. It can happen to first time users.

Are you sure the order of wizard option is not saved ? Here it works OK. The 'empty bin' option will always be at last position. Other options should be saved.

Fixed, it will now save external regedit.

[hari]

Also, can you check if the ActiveX and Com option in regcleaner is finding any new entries ?