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A fix which does not involve "nuking the system" is best.
If the problem is coming from residue in the registry, 5 minutes with a registry cleaner will suffice. Try the registry cleaner in CCleaner as a first step. That should be sufficient.

If not, there's Registry Mechanic and Your Uninstaller to be certain.

And you might use ERUNT's registry compactor just to smooth out what's left. Also free.


Of course, "nuking the system"'s main effect for most people is the permanent loss of irreplaceable photos and documents. And even for the people who have good backups, there are all those wonderful hours of updating and reinstalling and reconfiguring.

Someone who recommends reinstalling the operating system is usually just evading a question.
Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 01/12/09 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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A fix which does not involve "nuking the system" is best.  Anton Philidor | 01/12/09
Agreed, but...  NStalnecker | 01/12/09
I've lost count of the ...  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
Thank god...  LiquidLearner | 01/12/09
It's a very good thing...  ShadowGIATL | 01/12/09
What?  Lerianis | 01/12/09
Ok...  ShadowGIATL | 01/12/09
Pity... I could have shown you one such system...  Wolfie2K3 | 01/13/09
@Wolfie2K3  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
Allow me to add another example  brendthess | 01/13/09
@ ShadowGIATL: Symantec running Norton...  Wolfie2K3 | 01/13/09
Be Thankful  ed.thompson@... | 01/13/09
Norton....  michael.tindall@... | 01/13/09
certainly no fairy tale !  digitrog | 01/13/09
I have  mdsock@... | 01/13/09
I think the numbers speak volumes here. (nt)  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
Its a wonder  NStalnecker | 01/12/09
Evil is as evil does...  Wolfie2K3 | 01/13/09
Thanks for the heads up.  sjbinaz | 01/13/09
Gotta love them...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
To Shadow or Wolfie  TRCIV | 01/13/09
@ TRCIV: Antivirus recommendations  Wolfie2K3 | 01/13/09
@Wolfie and TRCIV  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
Gotta agree with that one.  masonwheeler | 01/13/09
Another Norton Story  clareJ | 01/13/09
business practices  jg_@... | 01/13/09
ditto  pgit | 01/13/09
Norton ETC.  deefburger | 01/13/09
Well... There's your problem...!  Wolfie2K3 | 01/13/09
Hey! Watch your language. . .  photog7 | 01/13/09
But... It's not detritus...  Wolfie2K3 | 01/13/09
AV software - bad  dgrainge | 01/13/09
Because...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
With these AVs, you can't go wrong...  JCitizen | 01/13/09
This is precisly why...  Uncle Buck | 01/20/09
Partitioning saves the day!  Amelioration | 01/12/09
I wish Windows ...  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
That's why  Alan Smithie | 01/12/09
Umm....  ShadowGIATL | 01/12/09
Erm  Alan Smithie | 01/13/09
Ehh  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
Does that include  frgough | 01/13/09
Kernels are not multi-user.  ye | 01/13/09
That can include...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
@ye  Kid Icarus-21097050858087920245213802267493 | 01/13/09
@Kid Icarus: Go back and re-read what I wrote. Specifically...  ye | 01/13/09
@ye  Kid Icarus-21097050858087920245213802267493 | 01/13/09
@Kid Icarus: It's no more "allowed" than programs writing to...  ye | 01/13/09
@Kid Icarus  grail@... | 01/13/09
@ye  daengbo | 01/13/09
@daengbo: Which is no different then what Windows provides.  ye | 01/13/09
Multi user is not the problem here  dimonic | 01/13/09
Drives do not need drive letters in Windows.  ye | 01/13/09
Not a great example...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
That is true, but?  clareJ | 01/13/09
Programs don't have to use the registry.  ye | 01/13/09
I agree with Ye...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
@Shadow: valid point  TedKraan | 01/14/09
@TedKraan: Most likely legacy.  ye | 01/14/09
@ye: Yeah, but i don't see how  TedKraan | 01/15/09
@TedKraan: I can only speculate. Here's what I think.  ye | 01/15/09
How is it supposed to determine which if three or more  Patanjali | 01/12/09
a simple way  chris_x | 01/12/09
Good idea  mwagner@... | 01/13/09
I usually do this myself...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
The default file permissions prevent this.  ye | 01/13/09
Kinda... but  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
@ShadowGIATL: The default permissions prevent...  ye | 01/14/09
Very interesting discussion...  JCitizen | 01/14/09
@JCitizen: One gotcha I'm aware of: E-mail.  ye | 01/14/09
Yes, pointing the PST files is different...  JCitizen | 01/14/09
better idea  compufixer | 01/13/09
A good idea...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
That is how I do it...  JCitizen | 01/14/09
Other OS  clareJ | 01/13/09
W8 Feature request  symbolset | 01/13/09
Re: I Wish  notsofast | 01/14/09
You think that's bad...  johnay | 01/12/09
Oh I hear ya...  ShadowGIATL | 01/12/09
C:  pgit | 01/13/09
Re: Partitioning  notsofast | 01/14/09
Over the years ...  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
Maybe because the problem isn't in the registry?  NonZealot | 01/12/09
Well  storm14k | 01/12/09
What do you mean by "Single access mechanism"? (nt)  ye | 01/12/09
Thanks for the reply  NonZealot | 01/12/09
@Ye and NonZealot  storm14k | 01/12/09
I understand  NonZealot | 01/12/09
The disk can only read a single file at a time thus...  ye | 01/12/09
Registry is a highly tuned DB  de-void | 01/12/09
@de-void  storm14k | 01/12/09
@storm14k: What you don't do is provide facts to support...  ye | 01/12/09
@ye  storm14k | 01/12/09
@ye: nice measurement!  TedKraan | 01/13/09
@storm14k: I'm not really sure what you're trying to say then.  ye | 01/13/09
LOL... grin  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 01/13/09
@storm14k: Yes, registry can be faster than file system  de-void | 01/14/09
Of note...  ShadowGIATL | 01/12/09
Lazy app design.  p.bristow@... | 01/13/09
Glad someone agreed  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
@ShadowGIATL: Then you've never build a professional app  de-void | 01/14/09
@de-void...  ShadowGIATL | 01/14/09
@ShadowGIATL: Thank you ...  de-void | 01/15/09
@de-void  ShadowGIATL | 01/15/09
@ShadowGIATL: Thanks again ...  de-void | 01/19/09
Hear ye! Hear ye!  Uncle Buck | 01/20/09
I'd take that one step further...  Wolfie2K3 | 01/13/09
It's also where the config & data files reside  mystic100 | 01/13/09
It's a database.  TripleII | 01/12/09
If it truly is a table scan, that's pathetic  NonZealot | 01/12/09
If the registry is the source of slowdowns....  storm14k | 01/13/09
Here's a thing  richard.gardner@... | 01/13/09
It was the first link to say the same without selling.  TripleII | 01/13/09
registry and DRM  a.barry@... | 01/13/09
Poor uninstalls are a main reason, as you quote.  Anton Philidor | 01/13/09
I think the bigget problem...  mwagner@... | 01/13/09
registry is overblamed indeed  TedKraan | 01/14/09
From what I have seen..  ShadowGIATL | 01/12/09
Problems from Registry cleaners  Jacobus7 | 01/13/09
LOL... I like that...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
Registry Cleaners  Jacobus7 | 01/13/09
Registry Cleaners  Ross Snowden | 01/17/09
Poor Discipline  Alan Smithie | 01/12/09
I have recommended reinstalling...  rtirman37@... | 01/12/09
RE:A fix which does not involve "nuking the system" is best.  richdave | 01/13/09
No need to lose "irreplaceable photos and documents"  GBessette | 01/13/09
Unwarranted assumption  Anton Philidor | 01/13/09
RE: No need to lose "irreplaceable photos and documents"  richdave | 01/14/09
Great suggestion.  joe.smetona@... | 01/26/09
Nuking The System- A must  whcressall@... | 01/13/09
Agree strongly  symbolset | 01/13/09
Interesting approach.  joe.smetona@... | 01/15/09
Good example that Windows has no ROI  GoPower | 01/13/09
If that was the case...  Wolfie2K3 | 01/13/09
I was wondering...  suirauqa | 01/13/09
Sigh.... and people leave their own clues....  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
Yeah, sure! Those ones and zeros just keep wearing out  Ole Man | 01/14/09
Eh...  ShadowGIATL | 01/14/09
That's an old argument...  TedKraan | 01/15/09
Problem is that I've never found a better solution than "nuking"  georgeou | 01/13/09
I did this today  symbolset | 01/13/09
Time required, fix vs nuke. Big advantage: fix.  Anton Philidor | 01/14/09
Replacing can be better for the IT newbie..  JCitizen | 01/14/09
reinstalling  darkmoonman | 01/13/09
Oh, I agree...  suirauqa | 01/13/09
Solution: Use Windows Vista or Mac OS X  grail@... | 01/13/09
Only if it's hosed and maybe not then  rdhalsteatzd | 01/13/09
Why won't people separate data from apps?  randy.baker@... | 01/13/09
Old story, but....  mdsock@... | 01/13/09
Nuking vs. Fixing  Your Mom 2.0 | 01/14/09
I used to be like that ...  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/14/09
If you're in a domain environment...  JCitizen | 01/14/09
Re: no nukes  notsofast | 01/14/09
One wrong click in Windoze and you got a rootkit...  xunil skcor | 01/14/09
No problems like that on my Macs  itguy08 | 01/12/09
Never had a problem on my Windows systems either.  ye | 01/12/09
MACs are not immune  draaron61@... | 01/12/09
MBP "bit rot"  Ben_E | 01/12/09
The following is just an FYI...  RicD_ | 01/12/09
One Addition.  DannyO_0x98 | 01/12/09
Thank you, yes I should have mentioned that fact. (NT)  RicD_ | 01/12/09
There is a small program...  suirauqa | 01/13/09
Two others as well...  RicD_ | 01/13/09
Thanks!  Ben_E | 01/13/09
Hi beneaton4  RicD_ | 01/13/09
Re: Linux  Alan(UK) | 01/13/09
Interesting but not credible  Graham Ellison | 01/13/09
I have seen this happen...  suirauqa | 01/13/09
Software  Ben_E | 01/13/09
Since 2002 never experienced it on OS X  itguy08 | 01/13/09
We got very slow startups on some machines  j.m.galvin | 01/13/09
it happens on Macs as well...  doctorSpoc | 01/13/09
Ummm... Yes there is  whcressall@... | 01/13/09
@whcressall  Axsimulate | 01/14/09
Bit-rot does exist.  Anton Philidor | 01/12/09
It's fiction. At least until someone can show otherwise.  ye | 01/12/09
You know what's so funny  Linux User 147560 | 01/12/09
Well for some reaons this wasn't showing that....  storm14k | 01/12/09
You'll have to get used to "mine's perfect therefore  deaf_e_kate | 01/12/09
I agree....  storm14k | 01/12/09
yeah, and of course the "mine's broken therefore"  rtk | 01/12/09
You mean only a fraction of a percent...  storm14k | 01/12/09
Mine is fine and I don't lie.  sjbinaz | 01/13/09
Clearly you also do not watch "House" either...  zkiwi | 01/13/09
So those who say Linux does not rot are lying?  ye | 01/14/09
Oh, I do.  sjbinaz | 01/14/09
@ye  zkiwi | 01/28/09
Most people don't know what they're talking about.  ye | 01/12/09
Really?  Linux User 147560 | 01/13/09
A matter of semantics  rarsa | 01/13/09
Excellent summation (nt)  ye | 01/13/09
When was the last time you installed iTunes on Linux?  ye | 01/13/09
Why would I install iTunes?  Linux User 147560 | 01/13/09
Because you have to in order to activate an iPhone.  ye | 01/13/09
No I don't agree with you  Linux User 147560 | 01/14/09
@Linux User 147560: Yes, Linux would.  ye | 01/14/09
Well first off  Linux User 147560 | 01/14/09
@Linux User 147560: So you are that bigger fool!  ye | 01/14/09
@Linux User 147560: What luxury!  TedKraan | 01/15/09
@ye  Linux User 147560 | 01/15/09
@TedKraan  Linux User 147560 | 01/15/09
@Linux User 147560: So this is not a "problem" unique to Windows.  ye | 01/15/09
Most people don't know what they're talking about.  windozefreak | 01/13/09
Now Ye is seeing things that don't exist...  jasonp@... | 01/13/09
Only for you my friend. I made no reference to...  ye | 01/13/09
Even funnier...  TripleII | 01/12/09
yes! absolutely funny  markbn | 01/12/09
You should not post lies  Ole Man | 01/13/09
it was an hyperbole  markbn | 01/13/09
I really appreciate you removing my post, ZDNet  Ole Man | 01/14/09
They removed your post because of obscene language  markbn | 01/14/09
My language is Sunday School  Ole Man | 01/14/09
Ole Man = Spin doctor  markbn | 01/15/09
Windows 7: Mojave My Ass  Ole Man | 01/27/09
Quite a tangent.  TripleII | 01/13/09
Sorry but i do care about drivers  markbn | 01/13/09
WinPrinters.  TripleII | 01/13/09
Re:Winprinters  markbn | 01/13/09
You keep missing the point.  TripleII | 01/13/09
Nope, but you keep dodging the issue  markbn | 01/14/09
Not illusion, just incorrect  Arkyn1 | 01/13/09
Bit Rot???  b.bob | 01/13/09
"Bit rot" COULD be an abbreviation  Ole Man | 01/13/09
I said that, Rot is probably 98% 3rd party.  TripleII | 01/13/09
Actually, the registry first appeared  alaniane@... | 01/13/09
There's a complete industry built around the illusions that bottled...  ye | 01/13/09
Yeah, I know what you mean  Ole Man | 01/13/09
@Ye  Axsimulate | 01/12/09
Cop out.  ye | 01/12/09
@ye  Axsimulate | 01/12/09
What bias are you referring to?  ye | 01/12/09
@ye  Axsimulate | 01/13/09
I have no Windows bias. What bias I have is limited to FUD.  ye | 01/13/09
Agreed, thats it in a nutshell  butterman.b | 01/13/09
@ye  windozefreak | 01/13/09
@zulubuck: Agreed. The question is:  ye | 01/13/09
So what ye is saying basically is..  hasta la Vista, bah-bie | 01/13/09
@ye  Axsimulate | 01/13/09
@Axsimulate: I never denied Windows systems don't slow down over time.  ye | 01/13/09
@ye  Axsimulate | 01/13/09
@Axsimulate: Do try and be honest by providing the context for which...  ye | 01/14/09
@ye  Axsimulate | 01/14/09
@Axsimulate: Now you're being dishonest the other way!  ye | 01/14/09
@ye, still in denial  Axsimulate | 01/15/09
@Axsimulate: Denial would require someone to have provided proof...  ye | 01/15/09
@ye  Axsimulate | 01/15/09
Proof by google search  rtk | 01/16/09
@rtk  Axsimulate | 01/16/09
unsubstantiated claims  b.bob | 01/13/09
Just because a bunch of clueless people say something doesn't...  ye | 01/13/09
Careful you don't get labeled a nut  Ole Man | 01/13/09
That Is Because You Are being Reasonable  Cardhu | 01/14/09
Ditto...  jasonp@... | 01/13/09
proving a negative  rtk | 01/13/09
It takes more than Add/Remove  chrome_slinky@... | 01/12/09
Give me some benchmarks.  ye | 01/12/09
You..............  Alan Smithie | 01/12/09
I'm not the one claiming it slows down. However I did...  ye | 01/12/09
It's.....  Alan Smithie | 01/13/09
To expand a little ...  de-void | 01/12/09
And what if the uninstall fails?  ashdude | 01/12/09
Just call on ye  Ole Man | 01/13/09
Bit Rot  danielarbib | 01/12/09
Single Registry File  deaf_e_kate | 01/12/09
Exactly  PMDubuc | 01/13/09
Horrible name for the problem  mikefarinha | 01/12/09
My experience  maalmike@... | 01/12/09
My experience says no  Michael Kelly | 01/12/09
use Avast....  JoeMama_z | 01/12/09
I converted friends to Avast a while back  deaf_e_kate | 01/13/09
AVG also has another bad habit..  Wolfie2K3 | 01/13/09
Avast superior in every way...  JCitizen | 01/15/09
Actual Case Study  RobWLA | 01/12/09
Government Spooks Have a Twist On Bit Rot  RobWLA | 01/12/09
And other odd hardware related wierdness...  RobWLA | 01/12/09
Yeah ...  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
S&S, not spooks  JelMin | 01/14/09
In a case like this ...  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
Not good advice ...  mwagner@... | 01/13/09
As I Said - The Unit Was Pristine  RobWLA | 01/14/09
Not on Linux...  Linux User 147560 | 01/12/09
Hrm...slightly off topic  JT82 | 01/12/09
I set her up  Linux User 147560 | 01/12/09
Sorry...  Linux User 147560 | 01/12/09
well HELL  JT82 | 01/12/09
Try this ...  MisterMiester | 01/12/09
Thanks  JT82 | 01/12/09
Just switch to root instead, no problem ...  MisterMiester | 01/12/09
Still doesnt work...  JT82 | 01/12/09
Try this...  Linux User 147560 | 01/12/09
@JT82 - Install Flash as user only ...  MisterMiester | 01/12/09
@Linux User 147560: Did I read that right?!?!?!?!  ye | 01/12/09
@ye, nothing is perfect  Michael Kelly | 01/13/09
@Michael Kelly: Yet this courtesy is never extended to Windows.  ye | 01/13/09
@Ye... the source code does not always help users  Michael Kelly | 01/13/09
Is UNIX that fragile that one needs the source code in order...  ye | 01/13/09
Yes, it was simple  Michael Kelly | 01/13/09
@Michael Kelly: Even simpler to install the pre-compiled library...  ye | 01/13/09
UNIX's version of "DLL Hell"  ye | 01/12/09
And indeed it doesn't  Yagotta B. Kidding | 01/12/09
@Yagotta B. Kidding: 64 bit version is irrelevant to the point  ye | 01/12/09
LMAO@Ye  storm14k | 01/12/09
@storm14k: Go back and read it again.  ye | 01/12/09
@Ye - Stick to what you know, mkay?  MisterMiester | 01/12/09
@MisterMiester: I am commenting on what I know.  ye | 01/12/09
@ye - You're a complete idiot ...  MisterMiester | 01/12/09
@MisterMiester: Please don't attribute your failings to me.  ye | 01/12/09
@MrMr: No 64 bit browsers for Windows?  NonZealot | 01/13/09
@NonZealot: I assume he meant to say there is no 64 bit version of Flash...  ye | 01/13/09
There's your problem  Yagotta B. Kidding | 01/12/09
Adobe has a 64-bit flash plugin available ...  MisterMiester | 01/12/09
Adobe - Fixed! (Sorta)  JT82 | 01/13/09
JT8 excellent news!  Linux User 147560 | 01/13/09
I only had trouble uninstalling the old flash..  JCitizen | 01/15/09
Kinda reminds me of ...  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
Dream... or  Linux User 147560 | 01/12/09
Whaaa??!?!  mikefarinha | 01/12/09
That was that thing then...  ShadowGIATL | 01/12/09
NT4 was a great OS ...  mwagner@... | 01/13/09
I bet  notsofast | 01/14/09
NT4 ran really well for us...  JCitizen | 01/15/09
What Linux distro are you running?  NonZealot | 01/12/09
Glad to  Yagotta B. Kidding | 01/12/09
Also true of primary keys  NonZealot | 01/12/09
You can use the "reg.exe" program to query...  ye | 01/12/09
I think I have an explanation  DannyO_0x98 | 01/12/09
Possible explanation  NonZealot | 01/13/09
Can we call an automated tester Rit the Bitrot Bot?  DannyO_0x98 | 01/13/09
Under the hood  Yagotta B. Kidding | 01/13/09
Does the registry file fragment?  deaf_e_kate | 01/13/09
re: Does the register fragment?  jklinger@... | 01/13/09
Something people seem to be missing...  DarkPhoenixFF4 | 01/13/09
I wouldn't try...  storm14k | 01/12/09
Maybe the same holds true for Windows?  NonZealot | 01/12/09
It hasn't for me at least.  storm14k | 01/12/09
Possibly  deaf_e_kate | 01/13/09
A few comments  DannyO_0x98 | 01/12/09
Explained below, how *nix does it.  TripleII | 01/12/09
Interesting...  ShadowGIATL | 01/12/09
Not comparable, IMO  notsofast | 01/14/09
This should be interesting.  storm14k | 01/12/09
Dont forget Sun!  JT82 | 01/12/09
Good point!  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
What's even worse...  suirauqa | 01/13/09
stuff on disk shouldn't slow you down  a.barry@... | 01/13/09
ERUNT......  JoeMama_z | 01/12/09
Forgotten about ERUNT ...  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
Don't install junkware  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/12/09
Friends don't let friends  Yagotta B. Kidding | 01/12/09
What I do  kokuryu | 01/12/09
wierd, there were 8 talkbacks 5 minutes ago  deaf_e_kate | 01/12/09
Server seems to be suffering code rot!  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
Thanks, all seems well again  deaf_e_kate | 01/13/09
There you go - Evidence of other OS bit-rot  AndyCee | 01/13/09
Talkback not working...  storm14k | 01/12/09
I've infomed the powers that be ...  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
xperf tool can tell you what's causing the boot delay  john.50 | 01/12/09
Bit Rot is Definitely Real  Sanchola | 01/12/09
My experience with Ubuntu  pjotr123 | 01/12/09
Code Rot in Windows  genefitz1976 | 01/12/09
A few things to note:  CobraA1 | 01/12/09
;  deaf_e_kate | 01/12/09
Adrian; Excellent!  Kromaethius | 01/12/09
Not with proper package management.  MisterMiester | 01/12/09
Windows bit-rot  Axsimulate | 01/12/09
Maybe NTFS...  LiquidLearner | 01/12/09
@LiquidLearner  Axsimulate | 01/13/09
I think code rot does happen...  Sleeper Service | 01/12/09
You forgot hard drive rot  zmud | 01/12/09
Then why don't my Linux boxes slow down?  Chad_z | 01/12/09
Drives in windows boxes  TedKraan | 01/13/09
got a source  rtk | 01/13/09
Not a study if you are looking for that..  TedKraan | 01/13/09
LOL! A gut feeling? You expect us to believe your gut?  ye | 01/14/09
Who is 'us'?  TedKraan | 01/14/09
@TedKraan: Anyone with an ounce of intelligence. (nt)  ye | 01/14/09
So..  TedKraan | 01/15/09
Well in my experience being a Mac guy.....  James Quinn | 01/12/09
I agree  NStalnecker | 01/12/09
It is fact.  Bozzer | 01/12/09
Something wrong with the article.  Bozzer | 01/12/09
Powers that be are on the case ...  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
Multiple applications  dcbatchelor | 01/12/09
Adrian, you should get this...  chrome_slinky@... | 01/12/09
In your testing ...  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
Here Is your answer  Alan Smithie | 01/12/09
The registry has a VERY good reason to exist ...  de-void | 01/12/09
Linux and other operating systems  david.ward | 01/12/09
Windows programs can!  ye | 01/13/09
Maybe not now  Yagotta B. Kidding | 01/13/09
Irrelevant. What Microsoft requests and what developers can do...  ye | 01/13/09
Actually...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
Sadly...  storm14k | 01/12/09
What leads you to believe this is something enforced by Windows?  ye | 01/13/09
On which system are applications written in this manner?  storm14k | 01/13/09
I would assume both. Though I assume not very common...  ye | 01/13/09
Good point  TedKraan | 01/14/09
Gnome based Linux distros have a registry like file  deaf_e_kate | 01/13/09
Brought to you by....  storm14k | 01/13/09
thats why i avoid Gnome based Distros  deaf_e_kate | 01/13/09
That's correct  Alan Smithie | 01/13/09
Re :What?s the best way to prevent code rot?  Alan Smithie | 01/12/09
All Windows machines slow down over time.  Amelioration | 01/12/09
Take for example......iTunes  daMan25 | 01/12/09
Have yet to have a problem with iTunes.....  James Quinn | 01/13/09
iTunes is an excellent example of "Windows rot".  ye | 01/13/09
Rot"ten" to the core  deaf_e_kate | 01/13/09
I don't recall. It's not currently on this system so...  ye | 01/13/09
Nonsense ... I won't hear it ... APPLE RULES ... laaaaahhhhllaaaahhhllahhhh  de-void | 01/19/09
Dude.....  daMan25 | 01/13/09
Itunes use DRM (so I am told, I've never used it)  Ole Man | 01/13/09
Funny....  ShadowGIATL | 01/14/09
DRM?  Ole Man | 01/13/09
I wish...DRM would eat your posts.(nt)  ShadowGIATL | 01/14/09
In order to comply with laws defined by your government  de-void | 01/19/09
Not MY Government!  Ole Man | 01/27/09
stupid zdnet  JT82 | 01/12/09
Cost of Time  sparkfarmer | 01/12/09
Uh...  Sleeper Service | 01/12/09
Great comments so far  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes ZDNet Moderator | 01/12/09
Adrian  Alan Smithie | 01/12/09
Negative...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
Ah you miss the point  Alan Smithie | 01/13/09
No...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
Given the choice  Alan Smithie | 01/14/09
This is already happening  de-void | 01/14/09
Very real  LiquidLearner | 01/12/09
On a side note...  LiquidLearner | 01/12/09
Best way is..........  Alan Smithie | 01/12/09
Re: On a side note...  zeblonite | 01/13/09
Patch, patch, patch  Chad_z | 01/12/09
Right on - Good Job  piiturbo | 01/12/09
That's not a bug  Yagotta B. Kidding | 01/12/09
Windows bit-rot: fiction.  DarienHawk67 | 01/12/09
Windows bit-rot:Non-Fiction  MyMac | 01/13/09
It may not be registry related  wolf_z | 01/12/09
Bit rot is completely the wrong term.  V@... | 01/12/09
Bit rot = BS  Dorkyman | 01/12/09
Then don't turn off the machine  Randalllind | 01/12/09
George Ou and Ed Bott will disagree, but...  nizuse | 01/12/09
Ed Will...  Alan Smithie | 01/13/09
Its ok...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
Until.....  Alan Smithie | 01/14/09
They were fighting way before there was oil.(nt)  ShadowGIATL | 01/14/09
Nope...  zeblonite | 02/02/09
happy  Ole Man | 01/13/09
Evidently my Vista disk was loaded with preservatives...  kanati | 01/12/09
Not the only one  honeymonster | 01/12/09
perhaps Windows itself is the problem  skraf | 01/13/09
Consider yourself lucky  Ole Man | 01/13/09
There is nothing wrong...  ShadowGIATL | 01/13/09
Since when are you moderator here?  Ole Man | 01/14/09
I'm not a moderator.  ShadowGIATL | 01/14/09
Didn't think you were  Ole Man | 01/14/09
Hmm...  ShadowGIATL | 01/14/09
Let not thine heart be troubled  Ole Man | 01/27/09
What's luck got to do with it?  kanati | 01/14/09
Forget luck! Consider yourself smart  Ole Man | 01/14/09
That is the problem.  ShadowGIATL | 01/14/09
Talk about hypocrisy  Ole Man | 01/27/09
Why thank you, I will.  kanati | 01/14/09
faster ????  digitrog | 01/15/09
Got that one covered wink  kanati | 01/16/09
Hardware issue?  Spats30 | 01/12/09
Bitrot is a fact  Godrunner | 01/12/09
You forgot one: Using Virtual machines  markbn | 01/12/09
Bit Rot et all.  TripleII | 01/12/09
Bit-rot is fiction.  Lerianis | 01/12/09
Didn't you just define what it is? grin  TripleII | 01/13/09
Storage fatigue? Absolutly yes!  koby@... | 01/12/09
Also, look at defragmenting  Lerianis | 01/12/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  kakman1@... | 01/13/09
This is why you should benchmark your system  surfasb | 01/13/09
A functioning Windows PC for non-techies  deaf_e_kate | 01/13/09
winSxS directory can be a cause as well  chips@... | 01/13/09
Question: Registry and dot Net  Alan Smithie | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  rvjcallanan | 01/13/09
Linux does not rot  scott1329 | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  erikswanson | 01/13/09
Wow, what a bad article!  Narg | 01/13/09
What is so funny...  suirauqa | 01/13/09
Reversing it doesn't take that much  butler360 | 01/13/09
Horrible, and preventable  SteveMak | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  melindab@... | 01/13/09
Is a fact!  jadjkorn64 | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  wizardgdog@... | 01/13/09
Leo Laport...  dmacnevin | 01/13/09
Dunno about that often . . .  CobraA1 | 01/13/09
Completely agree  de-void | 01/14/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  mwagner@... | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  ahumeniy | 01/13/09
Uninstall completeness test  pwatson | 01/13/09
Very Good Article!  XweAponX | 01/13/09
Win-rot does exist, never heard it called code-rot  ron@... | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  dimonic | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  tymiles | 01/13/09
Windows registry is the root of all (this) evil  softwareFlunky | 01/13/09
full marks to Linux  badders46 | 01/13/09
I like Linux too  symbolset | 01/13/09
14.65 second boot in vista  Spiritusindomit@... | 01/13/09
How do you fix this if it is the problem?  20kwfence | 01/13/09
I believe that was me.  ye | 01/13/09
Good point  20kwfence | 01/13/09
Try "autoruns":  ye | 01/13/09
Do you have a time machine ?  Alan Smithie | 01/13/09
But he does it so goooood!  Ole Man | 01/13/09
What's up with the attacks  20kwfence | 01/13/09
My apologies to you, 20kwfence  Ole Man | 01/13/09
Hey borat  rtk | 01/13/09
Greetings caitiff!  Ole Man | 01/14/09
Something stinks alright  20kwfence | 01/13/09
These are pretty relavant facts  Alan Smithie | 01/13/09
Better still ...  de-void | 01/14/09
"then ... reinstall XP / Vista / Win7"  Ole Man | 01/14/09
I think the WGA is working as it should.  ShadowGIATL | 01/14/09
Funny you mention that...  20kwfence | 01/16/09
Reason 'code rot' is more noticable....  Spiritusindomit@... | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  Mr. Tinker | 01/13/09
Ed is amazingly quiet.  TripleII | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  dimonic | 01/13/09
1st was virus, then trojans, then worms, then...  Gradius2 | 01/13/09
NEED AN ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  TRCIV | 01/13/09
It was there...  sjbinaz | 01/13/09
No firewall, no anti-virus  Tony R. | 01/13/09
Universal Windows Issue  **owly** | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  TheVinesKid | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  craigd@... | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  remoulton | 01/13/09
reinstall every 6 months  willyu | 01/13/09
One easy answer  Ole Man | 01/13/09
Linux Mint 6 "Felicia" now available.  joe.smetona@... | 01/22/09
The best way to avoid all that simple: install Linux...  xunil skcor | 01/13/09
You tell the truth...  ShadowGIATL | 01/15/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  rbyman | 01/13/09
Bit-Rot: FACT Easy fix!  boogie2277@... | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  gjjacob@... | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  William H Sr | 01/13/09
Real issue for many years but not unique to just Microsoft OS  me-a4@... | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  erniem1970@... | 01/13/09
This is worrying  Alan(UK) | 01/13/09
"am I missing something here?"  Ole Man | 01/13/09
sure sure  rtk | 01/13/09
"and linux is a command line only, right?"  Alan(UK) | 01/14/09
Yep, you see me crying about the "command line"  Ole Man | 01/14/09
Interestingly....  ShadowGIATL | 01/14/09
"I have never had any issues with this"  Ole Man | 01/14/09
I hope I never go where you are or where you been.(nt)  ShadowGIATL | 01/14/09
Don't worry!  Ole Man | 01/27/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  p.bristow@... | 01/13/09
My socratic feline asks why Itouch is nimble while PC always has hairballs  heldCaptiveByCats | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  samson_10314@... | 01/13/09
Finally fast is a ripoff...  JCitizen | 01/15/09
Finally fast  samson_10314@... | 01/16/09
I forgot to mention...  JCitizen | 01/16/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  sykandtyed | 01/13/09
RE: Registry and crap uninstalls is the root cause  ja4509 | 01/13/09
Agree with main story and this...  Psymon FC | 01/13/09
Wow and I mean Wowwww!!!!  ja4509 | 01/13/09
Chasing Viruses does get tiring.  joe.smetona@... | 01/20/09
I call BS  rtk | 01/20/09
I've confirmed it with other posters in the past.  joe.smetona@... | 01/20/09
Other posers? Well, then it must be true.  rtk | 01/20/09
Actually...  joe.smetona@... | 01/21/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  Aesculapian | 01/13/09
Not Bit Rot, mostly cludge from poorly designed installers  digitrog | 01/13/09
Proper Maintenance  Crestview | 01/13/09
Definitely Real in Windows  jpr75_z | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact  Altotus | 01/13/09
I Routinely...  melekali | 01/13/09
Windows bit-rot - Fact!  tracy anne | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  pebear | 01/13/09
if your careful bit-rot doesn't have to happen  tech_walker | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  a.barry@... | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  AnimlNitr8 | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  RGismondi@... | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  jmarotto | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  pcevilgenius | 01/13/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  johnnyf | 01/14/09
Not just Bit-Rod - also heat stress  james_linde | 01/14/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  suemccartin | 01/14/09
A fundamental feature of Windows?  JelMin | 01/14/09
It happens to me all the time  voska1 | 01/14/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  pratttech | 01/14/09
Bit-rot : FACT (Windows fault - don't know about that)  *Gman* | 01/14/09
I agree completely.  sjbinaz | 01/14/09
Bit-rot. Yup, pretty much Windows-centric.  Mitch 74 | 01/14/09
unacceptable  trenchsol | 01/14/09
Which OS does that? I'm not aware of any.  ye | 01/14/09
Windows Does that  jrc1883@... | 01/14/09
Windows doesn't do that.  ye | 01/14/09
I agree 100%  NonZealot | 01/14/09
Not a fair comparison really  TedKraan | 01/15/09
Best Linux advertisment in years...  joe.smetona@... | 01/14/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  rsn10100 | 01/14/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  atari8bit@... | 01/14/09
Another culprit: WFP/SFC -kill it.  joe.smetona@... | 01/15/09
The Registry is the sess pool!  reapur | 01/15/09
bit-Rot fix = MFT issues !  aloka | 01/16/09
I agree.  joe.smetona@... | 01/16/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  rMatey | 01/16/09
RE: Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?  monolithm | 01/17/09
Another cause, not addressed.  joe.smetona@... | 01/19/09
Breaking story, Theft of 100 million credit debit card accounts. Card-Rot.  joe.smetona@... | 01/20/09
Way to stay on topic, Joe.  rtk | 01/20/09
Not on topic?  joe.smetona@... | 01/21/09
yup, not on topic.  rtk | 01/21/09
Attack Vector  joe.smetona@... | 01/21/09
My dog's breath  rtk | 01/21/09
I got it. All good reasons, but how about this?  joe.smetona@... | 01/21/09
your tin foil hat isn't thick enough  rtk | 01/21/09
Do the math.  joe.smetona@... | 01/22/09
Windows grossly inadequate.  joe.smetona@... | 01/26/09
Sounds like your flash drive  rtk | 01/26/09
It is a Windows problem.  joe.smetona@... | 01/26/09
Maybe  rtk | 01/26/09
I was going to suggest that.  joe.smetona@... | 01/27/09
Can't replicate  rtk | 01/27/09
I'm using XP pro.  joe.smetona@... | 01/29/09
File order a.k.a. thorough defrag  tenter1 | 02/08/09
Fact!  FireThorn | 02/08/09

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