I'm debating on whether or not to splurge $10 on driver cleaner. Looks pretty ideal, but I'm wondering if it's just a load of bunk and a quick way for them to make money. Anybody have/use Driver Cleaner? Does it really work and make a difference? Bottom line, is it worth the time, money, and resources? I guess I'm a little worried that it could screw up my system, I've had a lot of bad luck with software lately.

I'm not familiar with that specific program but there some that can help clean up the registry like Ccleaner. The problem is that you can also damage the registry which could mean having to reinstall you OS. If you use one of these utilities be sure to back up all of your important files, and be sure that you read and understand the instructions before you do anything.

It is a really nice driver cleaning utility. If you decide to get it just make sure you get the correct version and not one of the countless malware program pretending to be it.

Is this the one you're after. Says it's freeware.

That's the old one. He stopped updating the freeware version early 2006. Now there is Driver Cleaner.NET

I would use caution with that program, i installed it a couple of days ago and i was having all kinds of problems with my computer and it was hell to get it completely off of my computer. Now my computer is saying cannot find secondary drive and i am trying to figure out how to fix that problem.....

As I said there are a lot of programs pretending to be Driver Cleaner. Are you sure you got the real one?

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic71782.html

Does it look like the screenshot in this thread?

No no, I was looking at drivercleaner.net, the one that charges $10. Looks legit, and mr. alpha says it is and I believe him. Didn't get it, though. I'm trying to figure out if I really need it. I'm a stickler for updating all of my drivers and being thorough. I guess for $10, it couldn't hurt...

Okay...I went ahead and bought it, but now I'm a little confused.

I have to uninstall the drivers in order to use it??? I was reading the instructions for the program, and I have to admit that I'm a little nervous to try it. I'm wondering if it's even necessary as I always make sure my drivers are up-to-date.

Wondering if there's anybody out there that can give me a little advice regarding the matter.

Yes, it cleans up the left-overs after you've uninstalled the driver. Really useful if you got some piece of a driver left hanging somewhere messing stuff up. I don't uninstall my driver before updating because it is a PITA, but if you want to be sure you get a clean driver update it is the way to go.

Sorry, but..PITA?

Pain In The Ass

Just my two cents here:

Quite a few of the malware programs I have on my various computers have labeled DC.net as containing a backdoor. Useful program, but if it lets someone hijack my precious...

I purchased it directly from drivercleaner.net, btw.