How To Find Registry Changes a New Program Makes with CRegistry
CRegistry Comparison is an open-source utility that works by creating a snapshot list of all registry files on your computer. Once that list is made, you can run a comparison against it at any time to see changes. This tool is especially helpful for tracking registry files changed when installing and uninstalling programs.
To start, you’ll need to install CRegistry and make a New CRegistry snapshot.
After clicking the New button, CRegistry will prompt you to select a folder to save your CRegistry files into. Note that these aren’t registry backups, just snapshots of what your Registry looks like on this particular day..
Once you have a CRegistry file saved you can install a new program. Once your new program is installed run CRegistry again browse to your old CRegistry file, then click compare. Here CRegistry will list every single change to the Windows Registry that happened since you created the previous file.
If you want to archive what change occurred, you can use the File Menu to Save Results from the comparison.
Overall CRegistry is a groovy little tool that lets you track Registry changes otherwise difficult to follow. For the cost of free, you can’t complain about its lack of features or visual graphics. It works fantastic for what it is supposed to do.
6 Comments
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Ziggy
I’m keen to use this utility, but one question if I may. If I uninstall a program will it show left over registry entries on the third comparison/snapshot?
Looking forward to your response…
Austin
@Ziggy – As long as you make a snapshot before installing, CRegistry will be able to track if the added keys are removed during uninstall. You may have to compare the “Added” list to the “Removed” list. You can save lists of changes individually so they can be compared later if you aren’t keen on immediately uninstalling something for testing.
The best way to do this is as follows:
1. Save a scan of the registry
2. Install program
3. Run new comparison (this will show everything “Added”)
4. Save comparison results.
Now before uninstall:
1. Save a new scan of the registry
2. Uninstall the program
3. Run new comparison (this will show everything “Removed”)
4. Save comparison results
Now just compare the two results that you have saved.
Ziggy
Thanks for your detailed/informative response Austin. Will give it a go. Your notes are very much appreciated.
Will keep a copy for future reference. Keep up the excellent work on this site…
Chris
Thanks !!! Hope CR does a good job
Steve Krause
Hi Chris – So did you play with it? What did you think of CR?
Dodge
It does exactly what it is meant to do. Nothing more nothing less.
thnx :)