Perhaps the most vital part of your Window XP PC is the registry.
As it stores important data relating to almost every aspect of your PC it is at the heart of every Window XP system. Basically it is a repository for all the information your PC needs to run, hardware settings, software installations, network connections, user settings, and more, acting as a database that is called on by every application that runs.
Try to picture then, how much work the registry does every single time you use your PC. Unfortunately, the more you work, and the more complicated the tasks the registry is dealing with, the more likely it is that faults will develop. All the changes made are registered, new software installations create new keys, uninstalling means keys have to be deleted. So the more of these functions the registry has to perform, the greater the expected margin of error.
Invalid keys, missing keys, defunct keys, all these will cause delays, freezes and error messages when you try to run a program related to them. Eventually the number of damaged entries in the registry builds to the point of making your computer almost unworkable.
So a good Window XP registry cleaner is important!
The Window XP registry cleaner was developed to help deal with this issue quickly and easily. Most will not only offer the basic registry fix, they will also include other utilities designed to assist in optimizing the speed and performance of the PC. These functions are a useful extra, but getting the most suitable Window XP registry cleaner will probably be the best speed booster for your system.
What will a good Window XP registry cleaner do?
There are certain basics you should look for in any registry cleaning software;
1. Back Up Facility - preferably an automatic backup feature, but even a basic registry cleaner should prompt you to do a manual back up of the registry before repairing, just in case.
2. Deep Scan - the registry cleaner should have various levels of scan, including a deep scan for thoroughly checking the registry for all damaged and invalid entries.
3. Shortcut Checks - While scanning the registry fix tool will test each entry, looking for invalid shortcuts, if detected these should be fixed immediately.
4. Registry Defrag - This will help collect appropriate entries together, keeping the often used data in one place, for quicker access, making for smoother running.
These are just the most basic features of a Window XP registry cleaner, if you want one that can do far more than just a simple registry fix, there are some that will allow you to perform a complete PC tune-up with just one software suite.
I advise avoiding software suites as they usually try to do too much and end up not doing any one thing particularly well. It's much better to get good, dedicated programs that each do their job well.
ReplyDeleteAs for registry cleaners, they are very controversial -- some of the advanced tech support sites sternly recommend against using them as they often times will damage the registry (although I suspect this happens with inexperienced users).
I have seen some of the more powerful reg cleaners mess up a system to the point where the OS had to be re-installed, so I would not advise anything with a "deep scan" feature.
I have used and recommended CCleaner as a reliable, good registry cleaner as it was one of the first. If used at its default settings, I have never had any problems with it.
But truthfully, cleaning the registry is only ONE of many maintenance actions that a PC user needs to perform to keep their PC running well.
These other functions include Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware scans, removing unneeded files and programs, as well as a good hard drive defrag, using System Restore, check disk, etc.
Factually, reg cleaners will not accomplish much by themselves if the system is infected or the disk is cluttered or fragmented -- you have to do a complete maintenance routine.
Bill R TechSpec
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