The Windows Registry is a database that stores configuration settings for the Windows operating system. It is used to manage system resources, software settings, hardware devices, user preferences, and other data. It’s like the reference library for everything on your computer.
Over time the database can become cluttered. For example, every time you install a new piece of software, a registry entry is made. These often remain, even when the software is uninstalled, so your system must work progressively harder to find what it wants.
What is the purpose of registry cleaning?
Registry cleaning is a good way to maintain system performance and prevent Windows errors. Firstly, it gets rid of all the junk and installer references to software and drivers that you no longer use.
It can also find registry keys that are present in the registry but have missing or incomplete data values. This can happen when a program or driver is uninstalled improperly or when a system error occurs.
Cleaning is a way to decrease the size of the registry, make it more efficient, and therefore speed up Windows and prevent errors.
However, it is only one aspect of Windows maintenance and works best when combined with other tools like disk cleaning.
Is a broken registry harmful?
While most missing registry values cause no harm, some can result in software crashes, system instability, and boot problems. In extreme cases, missing values may even cause the ‘blue screen of death’ error message that shuts down Windows completely.
Broken or damaged registry entries also need to be repaired or replaced to prevent errors and crashes. This can happen when software installations or updates are interrupted. Moreover, viruses and malware can get into the registry and mess things up.
If you are experiencing a lot of Windows errors and cannot find the cause, it might be a broken registry. But how can you fix it?
Is Registry repair safe?
Although Windows allows users to manually configure the Windows registry, this is discouraged because the settings are not easy to understand, and making a mistake can cause more problems for the operating system.
It’s best to follow a guide for a specific issue rather than blindly editing the registry yourself.
Nonetheless, you can access the Windows Registry using the built-in Registry Editor tool. Here’s how to do it:
- Use the start menu and search for Registry Editor.
- In the Registry Editor, you’ll see a tree-like structure with a list of registry keys on the left and their corresponding values on the right.
- To navigate to a specific registry key, use the tree view on the left.
- Press Ctrl+F to open the search function.
- To edit a registry key value, double-click on the key and change the value data in the Edit String dialog box.
The Windows Registry is organized into several hives, or categories of settings, including:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT – contains information about registered file types and extensions.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER – contains information about the user currently logged in, including settings such as desktop wallpaper, screen saver, and sound scheme.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE – contains settings for the computer hardware, software, and system configuration.
HKEY_USERS – contains information about all user accounts on the computer.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG – contains information about the current hardware profile.
The main risk of manual registry repair is that if you delete an entry used by any software, hardware, or user settings, it can cause crashes and instability. Software and hardware may need to be reinstalled to recreate a working registry entry when deleted by mistake.
To make the Registry repair process safer, you can back up the registry before you make edits. To do this:
- Click on the Computer key at the top of the tree view on the left to select it.
- Click on ‘File’ in the top menu bar, and then click ‘Export’.
- Choose a location where you want to save the backup file and give it a name.
- Under ‘Export range’, select All to back up the entire registry, or select ‘Selected branch’ and choose a specific registry key to backup.
- Click Save to save the backup file.
Alternatively, Fortect quickly automates registry repair. This way, all junk entries, and missing values are detected without having to browse yourself and you can fix them in an instant. Here’s what to do:
- Download and Install Fortect on your PC
- Launch Fortect and run the scan.
- On the left, click the Broken Registry tab (Fortect will present a log of all registry issues, including broken entries).
- View each category and fix it at your own pace.
The Start Repair button repairs all Windows problems found by Fortect.
As well as cleaning unnecessary entries, Fortect can repair and replace vital Windows Registry keys from its database, much like Windows system repair.
While those solely created by third-party software might not be replaceable, it can remove any corrupt keys causing errors on the system.
Another benefit of Fortect is it detects and fixes malware damage and potentially unwanted programs, which can damage the registry.
Does Fortect continuouslyrepair and clean your registry?
Windows Registry is constantly changing and updating as you install updates, new software, and hardware. Over time this can increase the risk of errors and performance issues.
It’s a good idea to keep Fortect on your PC and run scans every couple of weeks to maintain a clean and problem-free Windows system.
Regularly cleaning the registry can also help speed up the startup and shutdown times of your computer by removing any problematic entries that may be slowing it down. Moreover, it can prevent crashes from occurring in the first place.
Conclusion
Windows Registry is an integral part of the Windows operating system that many people overlook. It’s used by software and hardware. You can use a registry cleaner or repair tool like Fortect to scan and repair the registry of missing or unused keys.
This helps maintain the overall health and performance of your computer and prevents critical errors.
