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If you are experiencing computer problems like slow boot up and response times, unexpected program stalls or frequent error messages, there is a good chance that a registry scan can help. Registry scans read the computer’s registry - the catalogue that the system keeps of all the processes and operations that the computer runs - and looks for any unnecessary information. As you use your computer and bits of unnecessary data are stored in the registry your system’s performance can suffer as it has to work harder. Cleaning out the clutter is an important part of maintaining your system’s health.

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.

A computer registry is the central information center for the computer that logs and details all the activity performed on the system. All of the specifics relating to the various hardware components, software applications and file and folder activities have corresponding log entries in the registry. Every time an activity is performed, an entry is created, so it is easy to imagine the bulk of data that is stored on the registry.

As information entries pile up on the computer’s registry, the extra bulk can begin to cause problems. Actually, in as little as three months of normal operations, a cluttered registry can begin to result in slow boot up and operation times, frequent error messages, program stalls and crashes, and even an inability for your system to run the operating system at all. In order to prevent these potentially debilitating problems, a registry cleaner is recommended for regular and periodic use.

Registry cleaners open the registry and inspect the contents. Often there are bits of useless data, left over pieces of programs that have been uninstalled, obsolete or multiple applications and/or programs and corrupt or unusable files that sit on the registry and clog up its performance.

Registry cleaners work by reading the information bits that are left on the registry and finding and deleting all those that are no longer required or are redundant, having been replaced by newer, updated versions. Broken links, files, and any other unwanted information will be identified and then the cleaner will offer a prompt to the user to either clean or repair the entry.

First, after deciding to run a registry scan and downloading a compatible program to your computer, before you execute it, you should back up the registry. In the case that something goes awry, you might want to reload the registry to its pre-scan condition rather than reformat the entire system.

Once your registry is backed up, installation of the scan is next, and should be relatively pain and hassle free. There is usually a link on the desktop for the .exe file that you can click on to launch the application. From here, follow the instructions and prompts offered by the system. Select the ‘scan the registry’ link. It generally takes less than five minutes for the scan to read the registry and then it will display the garbage or broken links on the page. It will then prompt you to repair the registry, which you do by clicking the ‘repair’ link. This operation will only take a few seconds. Once you reboot your computer after the process, you should notice increased speed and processing ease.

 A computer’s registry is similar to a catalogue or an index that lists stored programs and information about recently run applications. Each time that a process is run on your computer, and every time that information comes into or goes out of your computer, the registry makes a note of it and stores the details for future reference. The registry is similar to a director that contains references and settings for the use of the operating system, programs, user profiles, document types, hardware and so on. Basically, the registry compiles and stores the information required to configure the operating system for use by more than one program, application, user, etc.

Over time many partial pieces of information, such as those left over from uninstalled programs, build up on your registry. When you use the Windows add/remove function to uninstall programs, even if they appear to be removed from your system, pieces can remain behind and clog up your registry. These traces of programs and other data are referred to as clutter. Too much junk left behind can cause a cluttered registry and can interfere with the computer’s performance. Common causes of a cluttered registry include missing, orphaned or bad applications, short cuts and links, residual and unused files and drivers.

Registry errors can start to occur after your computer has been running for any length of time, in as little as six months, whether or not you are aware of them. A lot of extra stuff in your registry can lead to many kinds of operational hassles and hang-ups. At first, a cluttered registry might only demonstrate mild symptoms, like declining operating speed, slow start up and slow response times but, down the road, you might begin to experience frequent error messages, system stalls, application errors and crashes and, in the long run, failure to run your operating system at all.

Computer registries should be cleaned periodically in order to prevent clutter and optimize computer functioning. Registry cleaner software programs are designed to scan your system and find any and all incomplete, unused, or corrupt files in your registry that are limiting and taxing your system’s performance. When the scan finds unnecessary clutter in the registry it will offer a brief description and risk assessment. Any clutter that the scan finds will be deleted, resulting in a streamlined system and increased processing capability. Good registry scans include automatic update functions that you can set for your computer to periodically run the scan and clean your registry on a regular basis.

In any case, before attempting to alter or adjust your registry you should make a back up copy of the registry in case something goes wrong and you want to reload the previous registry settings. As with any download, be careful when allowing any application to access your computer. Many virus designers try to smuggle Trojans into unsuspecting computers in the guise of protective or security software. It is a good idea to check the credibility of the software producer and the reputation of the product before accepting it.

If you run a Microsoft operating system, your computer registry is a catalogue of your computer’s stored programs and applications. The registry is similar to a reference list that the computer uses to find all the different references it needs to run its processes. The registry makes a note of all the data and code that come in to and goes out of your computer.

During the normal use of your computer, and in a relatively short time, remnants of previously uninstalled programs, deleted files and obsolete applications build up on your computer’s registry. When the registry is cluttered your computer can suffer slow operating times, frequent error messages, slow boot ups, declining speed, stalls, freezes and crashes.

In order to keep your computer running well, it is important to clear the clutter out of your registry. Registry cleaners are software programs designed to scan your computer’s registry, looking for fragments and bits of programs that have been incompletely uninstalled, files and folders that have corrupted with age and use, and any other unnecessary bulk hanging around making your computer work harder to perform its functions. Once the scan finds the clutter it deletes the redundant data and enables the computer to run at its optimal level.

When choosing a registry cleaner it is important to ensure that the software you use is complete with a back up function. As the scan goes through your system removing unnecessary files, it is possible that the scan might make an error and remove a program that the system needs to run. If this happens then a good back up feature is essential to restore your computer to its pre-scan condition.

As with any other software, make sure that any program you download is reputable and from a secure website. While free downloads offer many perks, sometimes the free versions don’t include all the same elements as the licensed version available for purchase and the real thing might be a good investment for the long-term maintenance of your computer system.

Good registry scans are equipped with auto-update functions and configurations to set automated scans if you want to clean your registry on a regular basis. When the scan identifies problems on the registry it provides brief descriptions and risk assessments. There are also a number of support features included with registry cleaners including an analysis of the scan for later reference, and support help contact information.

The technically adept might want to attempt to clean out their computer’s registries themselves. If this is the case, you want to keep in mind that this is a complicated procedure and you should be very sure to back up all your important data to disks or USB sticks in case you accidentally damage anything. If you do want to try to edit your system you have to know the location of the files you want to delete and know your way around your hard drive.

Registry Errors, why they occur

Registry errors start to dampen your pc performance when your computer has been operating for any period of time, installing and removing software and hardware, running many different operations and adding information to the computer’s registry.

Every operation performed by your computer logs information in the registry and, in as little as 3-6 months, the registry can become cluttered with the remains of incomplete uninstalls and other unnecessary bulk.

A lot of extra stuff in your computer’s registry can lead to many kinds of operational hassles and hazards. Common causes of registry corruption, fragmentation and errors include missing, orphaned or bad applications, short cuts and links, obsolete Start Menu items, corrupt applications and residual and unused files and drivers.

PC Performance begins to lull

When your computer registry becomes cluttered or full of errors you will notice signs of poor performance like frequent error messages, slow start up times, slow response times, declining operating speed, system stalls, application errors and crashes, and, in the worst case, an inability to run your operating system.

If you are experiencing registry errors, you have some options. The first is to attempt to edit your registry yourself. This is a tricky operation and should only be attempted by those comfortable with their computers - and who are willing to risk the loss of data, even the entire contents of their computer if something goes wrong. When mistakes are made during registry editing, the only solution is often a reinstallation of the operating system.

Backup your Registry First

If you have decided to attempt a registry edit the first thing to do is back up your registry in case things go awry and you opt to switch back to the previous configuration. The steps to back up your registry differ slightly from system to system and so your particular directions available from Microsoft Support should be followed.

If you are going to proceed with editing or defragging your registry yourself you will click

• Start > Run
• > type regedit
• > click OK

Should you be doing this yourself?

You will need to know where the keys and subkeys are of the value you wish to edit. If you don’t know what this means you should definitely find out prior to running this operation and you should seriously consider not doing this yourself.

If this all seems a little overwhelming or you would prefer a less technical approach you can automatically edit your registry with registry cleaning software such as Regcure.

There are advantages of running frequent and automatic registry scans that allow you the comfort and ease of a well functioning system without needing to remember the details of every operation you run on your system. It can be thought of as the equivalent of hiring an office manager to keep track of the particulars.

A wide array of problems, Fixed

Registry cleaners are able to clean and repair many problems, the most common including Runtime Error, ActiveX Error, DLL Error, .exe Error, Blue Screen of Death, and on and on.

Getting your registry running at its optimal level is a great first step in determining good computer and system performance.

The computer registry is basically your computer’s catalogue or reference list of stored programs and applications. The registry acts like a director containing references for the settings of the operating system, programs, user profiles, document types, property sheet settings, hardware and ports. When information goes into or out of your computer the registry makes a note of it and stores the details for future reference.

Microsoft defines the registry as a central hierarchical database used in Microsoft Windows 98, Windows CE, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 2003, Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems to store information necessary to configure the system for one or more users, applications and hardware devices.

The registry replaces earlier text-based .ini files that are used in Windows 3.x and MS-DOS configuration files like Autoexec.bat and Config.sys. Initialization and configuration files are still supported for compatibility with earlier systems.

The Windows registry is composed of two basic elements: keys and values. Registry keys are like folders and each key can contain subkeys and those subkeys can contain further subkeys. Registry values are name/data pairs that are stored inside keys and are referenced separately.

Since the computer registry stores files and data, settings and options for your Windows operating system and the hardware and software run on your system in time it can amass a lot of information and need a cleanup.

When you use Windows add/remove or another method to uninstall programs they aren’t always completely removed. Traces stay behind on your registry and contribute ‘clutter’ to the list of important data the registry manages. Too much clutter on the registry and traces of uninstalled programs can interfere with the speed and performance of the computer system.

Registry cleaners or scanners inspect the registry looking for unnecessary and incomplete files and programs. Once found, these tools clean the registry of needless clutter or repair corrupted files when possible.

Registry editing is risky business and NOT recommended. However, if you decide to edit the registry yourself, make sure to back up the registry. Next, open the registry editor, click Start>Run, type regedit, click OK, and then navigate to and delete the specific registry entries related to your specific concern. Deleting registry files or otherwise damaging the registry can cause permanent data loss and necessitate reinstalling the operating system so care is required.

Some viruses or other forms of malware copy their executable files to the registry so that their programs will be backed up and reinforced. If you have to make changes to your registry or delete infectious files you should be very careful to back up the registry first to avoid losing any important information or code that is vital for the operation of your computer. As well, if you do decide to make changes and to correct your registry files you should be careful to only adjust the specified subfiles related to the problem you are addressing.