Simple Steps on How to Clean Registry
The registry is generally known as a database wherein settings and options for the 32 bit versions of Microsoft Windows including Windows 95, 98, ME and NT/2000 are stored. In layman’s terms, it is a place where information such as the type of the system options selected, the hardware attached, the way the computer memory is set up, and the application programs that should be present at the start of the operating system, are stored. This was introduced and developed in order to organize the many program configurations of files that were scattered all over the computer system.
Like any place in the world, the registry needs cleaning to reduce the redundant entries which could have negative effects to your personal computer. These are slow program responses, computer system crashes, and error messages, to name a few. There are generally two ways to clean the registry—manual or with the use of software. It is recommended that only an expert should do the manual cleaning since there are certain files that, if mistakenly deleted or modified, would result to the breakdown of the whole operating system of the computer. If you want to save on costs on software, or if you do not want to pay a computer technician, here are some helpful tips how to clean registry of the PC:
After this, one can remove the unnecessary files
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In order to expand a registry section, click on the plus sign located at left side of the name
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Take note of the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" since this is the usual section which is edited for hardware and software changes
Aside from the tips on how to clean registry as mentioned earlier, it is also important to take note of the start-up process in Windows since it also calls on other items in the registry aside from the “.exe” files. To know the programs that are set to run, click the “Start” button on the desktop taskbar then go to “Run”. In the new window, type “msconfig” and click “OK”. Under the start-up tab, you should find all programs that are set to run. You can remove the check mark in order to disable the programs you don’t need at start-up. Since the instructions to invoke the files are contained in the registry, you may open the Registry Editor then browse to HKEY_ LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Run where a corresponding list of start-up programs is contained. You can highlight the unnecessary entries and delete them.
Another way of cleaning registry is with the use of the specially designed registry cleaning software. The program scans the PC’s registry and removes errors like missing references to files. You only need to find the software that works best for you and your PC. Some of the software gives a list of the entries which could safely be deleted or not, others even allow the user to create a back-up using the program.
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