A registry cleaner, or a registry scanner, is designed to read and inspect your computer’s registry looking for errors or redundant files that are slowing down your computer’s functions. The registry is similar to an information catalogue where your system stores data about all the processes that the computer runs.
Over time, all computer registries will become clogged with extra bits of information that the system no longer needs. For example, when you use Windows add/remove function to uninstall programs, sometimes pieces of data are left behind in the registry that serve no purpose other than to hang around and get in the way. Other contributors to registry clutter are broken or bad links, old, unused versions of replaced programs and orphaned or bad applications.
In as little as six months of normal computer operations your computer’s registry can store enough pieces of clutter to cause problems. The first sign of a cluttered registry is sluggish performance. You might notice a longer boot up time and a longer wait for your operation system to load your programs and applications. You might also notice slow response times when you give your computer commands.
Depending on the amount of clutter on your registry, you might experience more serious problems like frequent error messages and an inability to open some programs, files and folders. If too many bits of useless information are stored on your registry, then the registry’s ability to load and execute other functions will be limited. Declining operating speed, system stalls, application errors and, in the long run, not enough speed and space to run your operating system will likely result.
Some common errors that can be fixed by running regular registry scans include runtime errors and Windows errors and program crashes that result in the ‘blue screen of death’, otherwise known as a fatal error. These errors result in the unexpected and unwanted closing of programs and the loss of unsaved information.
A registry cleaner can help you avoid all these problems. The scan will read all the files and data bits on your registry and find all those that are incomplete, corrupt, redundant or otherwise unnecessary and thus limiting your system’s performance. When the scan identifies potentially undesirable data, it will provide the user with a brief description and risk assessment. If the data is unwanted, then the registry cleaner will delete the files.
Good registry scans can be set to user specifications and have automatic update functions that can be set to run periodically. It is a good idea to scan and repair your registry every six months to prevent errors, program stalls and crashes. Before you scan your registry, it is a good idea to back up the registry because, even if you have junk to clear out, if something goes wrong you might prefer to reapply the registry rather than reformat the system.
Kate Dubensky | June 27th, 2008
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