The Registry is the place on your PC where Windows records all information about events for future reference, for example, when you uninstall an application or change a system setting. The Registry contains profiles for each user, the types of documents they create, the applications installed on their computer and the hardware configuration.
Over time, the Windows Registry can begin to contain information that's no longer valid. Perhaps you uninstalled an application without using the Add or Remove Programs function in the Control Panel, or perhaps an object or file in the registry got moved. Eventually this orphaned or misplaced information accumulates and begins to clog your Registry, potentially slowing down your PC and causing error messages and system crashes. You may also notice that your PC's start-up process slows down significantly.
There are several ways to fix these problems through the use of standard Windows Registry editors such as Regedit32 for Windows XP. However, this can be extremely risky unless you know what you're doing - one wrong step and you can totally destroy your system! Even advanced users should be aware that should you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you could cause severe problems that may require a complete reinstallation of your operating system. Microsoft recommends that before you edit the Registry, you back it up (assuming that you have a full understanding of how to restore it if a problem occurs).
If you're not a Registry expert, my advice is that you acquire one of the more reputable Windows XP registry cleaners to do the job for you. Just bear in mind that in the event of a system failure after running your Windows Registry cleaning software, the standard Windows System Restore may not be able to restore your data to Restore Points created prior to the cleaning. It is therefore important that you instruct your Registry cleaner to take a backup of the Registry prior to the cleaning process.
An additional good discipline is to use your cleaning software, say, once a month as opposed to daily or weekly. By default, Windows creates a Restore Point (or snapshot) of the Registry on a daily basis. However, System Restore will allow you to create your own easily identifiable Restore Points (automatically date and time stamped). So, once your Registry is cleaned and the system is stable, create one of these. This will allow you to restore from anywhere between two consecutive monthly cleaning sessions.
Some years ago, Windows Registry problems would have meant contracting the services of a computer technician at considerable expense. Fortunately, today, it is possible for the average computer user to fix these errors by simply using one of the Windows XP registry cleaners specifically designed for this purpose.
Indeed, Registry cleaners should be used with caution and a back up of the registry MUST be performed each time they are used.
ReplyDeleteI recommend that the name of the back up be changed to the date it was run and a brief description of the problem being solved (like "Slow Bootup 7-26-11" or "sluggish PC 7-25-11", etc.) and that the user know exactly where the backups are stored so they can be gotten to and used in safe mode if needed (you may be able to change the file location on some registry cleaners).
Some tech support forums recommend against using reg cleaners as they have seen numerous cases where they caused more damage than good, so I would recommend using an established, reputable one like CCleaner and to not change the default settings until the user knows exactly what they are asking it to do. I have personally never had a problem with CCleaner and have used it many times to help others with their PC -- just don;t change the defaults and back up every clean up operation to a known location.
My experience has been that if one uses a good third party defrag program that will automatically and transparently keep the system defragmented one does not have to use reg cleaners all that often.
I suggest users check out the following Top 10 Reviews of the best defrag programs around and install a free trial of one of the top placers:
http://disk-defragmenter-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
The gold medalist in the above review won because it prevents fragmentation before it happens and was completely transparent in its operation. A tool such as this keeps your PC in top shape making the need to use a reg cleaner much less frequent.
You can get a free trial of the gold medalist here:
http://www.diskeeper.com/defrag
Good Luck!
Bill R TechSpec
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