is the “Registry Cleaner for Windows Recommended download” a virus?

November 4, 2009

the icon just randomly showed up on my desktop and led me to the site below:

http://adserver.softwareonline.com/PrimaryLanding/landingaro.aspx?Referrer=w1-A12intlicon-aro&cm_mmc=Windsor-_-INTL-_-Icon-_-Icon%3A%20Other%3A%20A12%3A%20usicon%3A%20aro

and then asked me to download and run the software…has anyone else seen this icon before on their computer?

Question about Registry Cleaners/Fixers?

August 23, 2009

I saw the new “Aro 5” Registry Cleaner advertised today.
The free edition, like many others, offers to scan and fix 20 errors.

It scanned and found 1040 errors.

So what in a Registry is worth fixing, and what is just collected “junk”?

The choices are:
Active X and COM
Application Paths
File Types
Help Files
History Lists
Shared Files
Shortcuts
Software
Sounds
Start Menu
Deep Scan
Current User

Are any of these cleaners actually worth their weight?
Thanks!