Getting some registry repair software is a great idea if you need to speed up your machine. You want to get a program that is easy to use, offers good customer support, has error reporting, and offers a registry optimizer and deep scanning. 

A highly rated choice is RegCure. Downloading and running a registry cleaner like this should speed up a sluggish machine.

Defrag the Computer

Another thing to try once you’ve run your registry program is to defrag your hard drive. Over time and use, the files on your computer get scattered in pieces throughout your machine. Defragging your machine will put the data back in order which makes them easier to find and should help speed up your machine. To defrag your computer:

1. Click on Start, then Programs and Accessories.
2. Click on System Tools and then Disk Defragmenter. You will be asked to click on the drive that you want to defrag. The computer will show a progress bar as it defrags your drive - this may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour so make sure you give yourself time.

PCtools has a great product suite that includes disk defrag, check out the PCtools Disk Suite here.

Uninstall Unused Programs

Keeping programs on your computer can take up space and make your computer run more slowly. You need to actually uninstall the programs rather than simply delete them in order to get them completely off your machine. Follow these steps to delete programs properly:

1. Go to Start and then click on Control Panel.
2. Select Add or Remove Programs.
3. You will see a list of programs that are installed. Click on one you want to uninstall and click Remove (or Change/Remove).
4. You will then see instructions and confirmation about uninstalling that program.

If uninstalls hang or for some unknown reason aren’t able to complete an uninstall- then try this uninstaller with its forced uninstall feature.

Antivirus Programs

Viruses, Trojans and spyware can slow down your computer. Make sure that you are running programs to protect your computer and are downloading updates regularly. Keep your system as clean as you can to avoid problems and optimize performance. Heres a good antivirus and check out our 2009 review of 20 antivirus programs here

Running a good registry cleaner as well as taking some basic steps to keep your files in order and unwanted programs off of your machine should make it run much faster.

Well, you have some decisions to make. Did the free scan offer to resolve the problems? Can you try to quarantine and remove the faults? You might want to begin by running another scan and trying to remove the problems from your system. Filetonic recommends a registry scanner called RegCure that reads all the data stored in your computer registry, and removes all the obsolete and redundant data. This can really help your computer’s performance and remove inconsistencies that cause problems. Download and install this program, and follow the wizard to run it on your system, if it can be fixed, this is most likely the best way to do it. The free download will detect repairable faults though you will need to purchase the full featured product to make the repairs. Considering the alternatives, this may be your best choice.

Reformatting the Hard Drive

If your computer is past this point, and you aren’t able to repair it with a virus or registry scan, you might consider formatting your hard drive. It is a bit of a drastic measure, but it also addresses all the problems and leaves your computer in good, clean working order. If you decide to format, you should first make copies of all your data, and be aware that you will lose absolutely everything on your computer. I mean everything.

Before You Begin

You will need to have the install disks for your operating system, as well as all the other software and applications that you run. Provided you have all this, formatting is really no big deal. So, save all your files and folders to CD or to a USB flash drive, and find all your install software. If you have installed custom graphics or sound cards, you will also need to have the drivers to reinstall. If you are missing any drivers later it is possible to download them, but it is easier if you have everything handy on disk.

Once you are ready, you will need your Windows operating system installation CD, it is imperative that you also have the registration code that is on the CD box. The steps to format computer hard drives vary from model to model. If you decide to do this, write again with your computer model and operating system information and I can walk you through it. At this point I should also say, if you are using a PC, it is really important that you regularly run virus and registry scans to keep your computer in good shape.

Free Virus Scans

There are some good free programs, like Avast and AdAware, and some Windows utilities that are built into your operating system, like ScanDisk. By running these programs regularly, you can avoid the huge hassle you are dealing with now.

RegCure and Registry Mechanic are both registry cleaning utilities that go into the Windows registry in search of invalid entries. These invalid entries range from empty registry keys (as you’ve noticed) to entries that point to non-existent drivers and paths and so much more. The Windows registry contains information about EVERYTHING on your computer. Unfortunately, as time goes by and computer crashes, viruses, and software installations take their toll, the registry becomes bogged down with obsolete information.

For example, if you have tried to install a new program but the installation failed midway through, the installation will likely have placed instructions in the registry. Had the installation gone as planned, then Windows would be able to follow those instructions. However, the installation failed, leaving behind instructions that Windows can’t make sense out of. Now, when Windows loads, it tries to run these instructions only to come to a screeching halt when it can’t follow through. The result: slow performance and possible computer errors.

While the above example is minor, imagine hundreds of incomplete instructions. Each registry error on its own may be minor but when combined, they add up to a huge drain on your computer’s performance.

How Registry Cleaners Work

Registry cleaners are similar in many ways to anti-virus applications. They use database definitions and compare the local registry entries to the huge database back at the developer’s labs. New entries are added all the time. For example, a database entry might contain the correct registry instructions for a specific program such as Microsoft Office. If the local computer registry key for Microsoft Office doesn’t match that found in the database, then the registry cleaner replaces it with the correct one, thus solving any related computer errors.

Why Do Different Registry Cleaners come up with Different Results?

Just as different antivirus and antispyware applications have different database definitions, so too do registry cleaners. This is why you must update the software often - to get the latest definitions. In addition to using database definitions, they also use different algorithms for detecting possible errors. Since each uses its own proprietary algorithms and definitions, the results vary. ParetoLogic Inc., which is the developer of RegCure, is known for having some of the largest databases in existence powering its products. The larger the database, the more likely matches will be found.

What Does RegCure do with Found Errors - Delete them?

The beauty of using RegCure is that it features a backup and restore function. When RegCure finds registry errors, it fixes them based on the nature of the error itself. For example, a registry key pointing to an obsolete device driver may be removed while a registry pointing to the wrong file path will be corrected. If for some reason the results are undesirable, you can always restore the registry to its earlier state.

More Tips for Speeding a Slow PC

Since your computer has been used by kids who have downloaded multiple programs, there’s also a good chance that they have downloaded all kinds of free games and other cool freebies like animated cursors, smilies, screensavers, and wallpapers. Many adults do this as well. Unfortunately, an uninvited guest often arrives with these so-called freebies: malware.

Getting Rid of Malware

As part of reclaiming your computer, find and use a good anti-spyware application to scan your system and remove any malicious programs. Many infected computers have dozens of suspicious programs running. Not only do these programs spy on you and report your personal information such as Web surfing habits or credit card numbers, they also take up valuable computer resources and slow your computer down to a crawl.

Several excellent products exist for eradicating spyware including free products such as Windows Defender and Trend Micro’s Online Housecall. As far as paid products go, the Tech Jocks recommend XoftSpySE and Antivirus Plus from Paretologic Software. Commercial products tend to offer better protection, larger databases for detecting threats, and automation. While the Online Housecall is terrific for one time scans, you can’t schedule regular scans.

Cleaning the Desktop

Another excellent step for recovering lost computer speed is to clean up the desktop. No doubt, the kids have probably changed the background image and you probably have dozens of shortcuts and icons all over the place. A large background image and all of those icons take time and resources to load. Right click a blank area of the Desktop and select Properties. Choose a default Windows background or browse your computer for your own image. Pay attention to the image size and opt for one with a small file size rather than a large one. For example, given a choice between a 5 MB image and one that is 700 KB, choose the 700 KB image. It will look just as pretty but won’t be as memory intensive.

Remove Themes

While you’re at it, if your kids have applied special themes to your computer, remove them. Themes are neat in that they change the look and feel of your operating system. However, they require more system resources - resources that a slow PC can’t afford to lose.

Manage Startup Items

RegCure comes with a neat feature for managing the startup items. Programs that automatically load each time Windows starts up are often not needed frequently, yet they’re running all the time. By removing them from starting automatically, you’ll free up memory.

Defragging the Hard Drive

Finally, after sweeping your Windows registry, wiping away malware, and removing startup items, give your hard drive a thorough defragging. As time goes by, the hard drive becomes fragmented as your hard drive attempts to manage its contents. The built-in defrag utility (Start >Programs>Accessories >System Tools> Disk Defragmenter) will rearrange the files in a more orderly fashion.

RegCure is a registry cleaner that offers users many features to keep their computers running smoothly. It offers backup and restore features as well as locates and removes incorrect shortcuts that can slow you computers performance. RegCure can be set to schedule scans at startup, weekly or monthly - whatever schedule works best for you. It will get rid of any empty registry keys, manage your startup items and improve the speed of your PC. You can also customize it to scan only those registry items that are of concern. You can find RegCure here: http://www.filetonic.com/regcure/

What is a Registry?

The registry is the component on your computer that controls the operation of Windows. If it isn’t working properly, the operating system can get corrupted, crash or freeze at any time. The registry records the relationship between your computer’s hardware, memory and addressing. Older versions of Windows store the registry in two files - system.dat and user.dat, while newer versions store the information in files called hives that are stored on the hard drive. A centralized registry system can be a failure point and incorrect handling can result in a slow running system or even an inability to boot up completely.

Cleaning the Registry

You can clean the registry manually by going into it and deleting any unwanted items. Doing it this way can take time and can be dangerous if you delete the wrong thing.

Programs such as RegCure will clean your registry automatically while giving you a measure of control over how it works. If you need more information on this particular product, see the RegCure whitepaper: http://www.regcure.com/media/regcurewhitepaper.pdf .

RegCure offers a free scan download which may be offered as an MSN Featured Offer. In fact, Filetonic.com also offers this free scan download because it can tell you about problems in your system that you may want to address. Many of us tech jocks swear by it. Once you are aware of registry issues, you can choose to purchase the program from RegCure to clean your system, use another program or do it yourself manually. That is most likely where the confusion about the charge came in. At no point are you forced to purchase the program, and you would be told of the charge before completing your purchase.

You are correct in deciding that a registry cleaning utility will help your computer’s performance. That’s because a huge number of computer errors and system slowdowns start in the registry. By fixing the problem at the root level, your computer’s performance will improve dramatically. For example, the Windows registry contains tens of thousands of instructions and variables. The operating system refers to the registry for performing its functions. However, if a registry entry is obsolete, incorrect, missing, or damaged, then Windows can’t follow the instructions properly or efficiently. The result: a computer error or slow performance.

The Problem with 64-bit Versions of Windows

Unfortunately, users with 64-bit versions of Windows are outside of the “mainstream.” While these operating systems offer numerous benefits, they also are not as widely supported by third party software developers. Hence, you’re having a tough time finding a registry cleaning utility for your operating system. Fortunately, you asked a Tech Jock who asked a major software developer for help. I contacted ParetoLogic software and asked if RegCure would work on your system. This is one of our recommended tools and a personal favorite of mine. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until 2009 when they release a 64-bit version.

Recommended Registry Cleaners

You don’t want to wait, do you? I didn’t think so. I did find a 64-bit registry cleaner online called CleanMyPC. This product is built for 64-bit operating systems and is fully aware of the nuances of your system. This is a commercial product that costs about $30 for a one-year subscription. A lifetime subscription is also available. They offer a free 15-day trial so that you can get a feel for the software and what it can accomplish before you buy.

In addition to working on the 64-bit version of Windows XP Professional, this software also works with the 64-bit version of Windows Vista. For those who need an alternative to RegCure and don’t want to wait for the 64-bit version, consider this as an alternative. Come back to Filetonic.com and let us know how it worked out for you.

Since downloading doesn’t appear to be an option, try http://housecall.trendmicro.com/  This is a free web-based scanning tool from Trend Micro, a well respected anti-virus and anti-spyware company. This tool should be able to detect and repair malware on your computer.

If you have Windows Vista, your computer should also have Windows Defender installed on it. This is a built-in tool that scans for malware. While Windows Defender does provide real time protection, if the malware is new, it may not have been caught upon installation. Update Windows Defender and run a full scan to see what Defender finds. Go to the Start button, type in Windows Defender, click the program icon, and then click the arrow next to the question mark. Click Check for Updates. Once updated, click on Scan > Full Scan.

Likewise, run a full scan with your existing anti-virus program. Many anti-virus programs do not provide real time detection. This means that viruses can get in and won’t be detected until a scan takes place.

If your computer comes up clean and the registry program is legitimate, it should have a “restore” feature. For example, RegCure, which is a legitimate registry cleaner from another well respected software developer (ParetoLogic Software), makes backups of the registry before making repairs. Should you ever have undesirable results after a RegCure registry fix, you can always go into the software, click on the Backup button, and restore your registry to its original condition. Check your registry fix utility for such a feature and restore your registry if available. By restoring the registry, your related problems should disappear.

Since your desktop is a mess, and you can’t use System Restore via normal methods, try going into Safe Mode and entering the command prompt for System Restore which is:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

Instructions for doing so are found in this Microsoft Knowledgebase article.

ActiveX controls are also called “add-ons.” They are small programs that are used in conjunction with your Web browser. In a perfect world, ActiveX programs would be safe to use every time. Unfortunately, ActiveX controls have been abused by advertisers and malware writers, making it necessary to take precautions.

Your computer’s Web browser comes with options for allowing or preventing the downloading of ActiveX controls. If you have Internet Explorer 7.0 (the process is similar for other versions), go into the Tools menu and choose Internet Options. Click on the Security tab and make sure the Internet icon is highlighted. What security level is your computer set on? Each level has difference allowances. For example, at “medium-high,” Internet Explorer is told not to download any unsigned ActiveX controls.

You can also click the Custom Level button and make your own security decisions regarding how ActiveX controls are handled. Scroll to the ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins section and make your decisions. Among the options are:

• Allow previously unused ActiveX controls to run without prompt
• Allow Scriptlets
• Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls
• Binary and script behaviors
• Download signed ActiveX controls
• Download unsigned ActiveX controls
• Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins
• Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting

Each of these options has choices such as enable, disable, or prompt. Prompting is a good compromise when you’re unsure what to do about your settings. By being prompted, you can evaluate the ActiveX control on a case-by-case basis. For example, if you trust the Web site and are prompted to download an ActiveX control, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to allow the download. Likewise, if you’re on a random Web site such as one you visited based on a link in a Spam e-mail message, you probably shouldn’t allow the download without further evaluation or research.

You can also remove ActiveX controls from within Internet Explorer. Go to the Tools menu and choose Manage Add-ons followed by Enable or Disable Add-ons. From there, you can disable or delete ActiveX controls.

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.

A registry scanner reads all the bits of data on the registry. Every time that the computer does anything and every time that information comes in to or goes out of your system, the registry makes a note of the process. If there are bits of process on the registry associated with redundant, replaced or broken links or files then the clutter can get in the way of the other, necessary, operations. However, when you adjust your registry, either on your own or with a registry scan, you have to be really careful not to delete important information.

The important first step is to back up your registry. In different versions of Windows, there are different procedures for backing up the registries. For Windows Vista, in the Start menu, type systempropertiesprotection in the Start Search box and press enter. At this point you might be asked for the administrator password or confirmation, which you will need in order to access the registry. Wait for Windows to look for available disks and the most recent restore points. In the System Properties dialog box, under the System Protection tab, click Create. Type a name for a restore point - a file for the backup registry - and click Create. After the restore point has been created, double click OK.

If you are running an earlier version of Windows, there are steps for backing up registries available on Microsoft Support Pages. If you don’t back up the registry, it is possible to lose data or important system function operations.

If you decide to edit the registry manually and skip the use of third-party software, unless you have nothing to lose, it is imperative that you back up the registry because if the registry edit is performed improperly you may have to reinstall your operating software. Since the registry stores all the settings, options, and information for the computer’s operating system, software applications and hardware, editing, adjusting or altering your computer’s registry could remove, misplace or damage important data. If your registry is damaged as a result of a registry edit, you might have to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft recommends editing your registry at your own risk.