NTREGOPT
========

Registry Optimization for Windows NT/2000/XP

v1.1b, 04/23/2004, 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
---------------

v1.1b
- NTREGOPT is now compatible with Windows 2003 Server and Windows XP
  Service Pack 2
- Fixed a problem where the registry hives could not be optimized on
  some systems

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!
