An untidy or cluttered registry, that is, the registry directory within Windows, can also cause your computer to start slow. It may result from a corrupted registry hive after a power outage or other unexpected shutdown while saving files. When removing applications that contain malware and viruses, such as those of unlicensed games or bookmakers (you will not encounter these problems if you install applications from Online betting sites in Japan), the Windows registry can be corrupted. To fix the registry problem, you must remove the blank data blocks and invalid entries to clean your windows registry.
Since most of us do not enter the Registry Editor very often, perhaps because of all this, the registry directories keep getting crowded, which can lead to various problems.
However, over time, your registry accumulates invalid, outdated, or even missing registry keys, which impairs your computer’s performance. You may even get the occasional error message. With Windows tools and some third-party tools, you can clean the Windows registry quickly and easily. The methods we will describe below work on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
What causes errors in the registry?
If you don’t have any issues right now, you might not think that cleaning the registry is a big deal. But as you install and uninstall apps and devices, new registry entries are created. This includes Windows updates. However, they are not always completely removed when apps and devices are uninstalled or other system changes are made.
This causes your computer to search for devices and applications that match these entries. The more it accumulates, the more likely you are to run into problems. Cleaning the registry every few months helps prevent problems.
It is always a good idea to create a backup before cleaning the registry
Before undertaking the task of cleaning your windows registry, it is always a good idea to backup the registry, just in case something goes wrong. While the methods on this list are usually safe, it’s best to be careful, especially if you opt for the manual method.
- Press Win + R and type “regedit” to open the Registry Editor.
- Select the File menu and select Export.
- Choose a location and name for your file. Also, select “All” for your export range to backup the entire registry. If you change a specific part, you can easily back up that part.
It’s a good idea to store a backup on a flash drive or external hard drive in case something goes wrong during the cleanup process. If you need to restore a backup, open the Registry Editor again and select Import from the File menu. Select your file and you’re done.
Use Disk Cleanup
The easiest way to clean the Windows registry is to use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility, which is also great for cleaning redundant files from your hard drive. It is not registry-specific, but it can complete the removal of leftovers from applications and drivers. When it removes these files, the corresponding registry entries are often deleted as well.
Open Start and type “disk cleanup”. Select the Disk Cleanup tool result that appears.
The tool starts the scan automatically. When done, click Clean up system files. The tool launches a second time, giving you some additional scanning options. Select all the options you want. You can actually check them all out. Just make sure there isn’t anything in the trash that you want to keep first. Click OK to clean the system.
Use DISM
DISM, which stands for “Deployment Image Servicing and Management,” is a tool built into Windows that is used to fix updates and system errors. It can also help fix issues with broken registry entries. Although it is not a full registry cleaner, it can improve the health of your registry.
- Open Start and type cmd. Select Run as Administrator under Command Prompt or Command Prompt.
- Enter the following: DISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth
- The scan finds errors and cleans them up. All this will not be associated with your record. The good part is that it can help your PC run better by fixing issues you didn’t know existed.
Use CCleaner
CCleaner has been a popular computer cleaner for years. From clearing cookies and temporary files to helping you manage startup options, it does a little bit of everything, including cleaning your registry. Better yet, you can back up your registry before cleaning, which is a good idea.
Use Wise Registry Cleaner
Wise Registry Cleaner is a free and resource-friendly Windows registry cleaner. It offers three modes, though Quick Scan usually works better for most users.
There is a premium version available, but the free version handles almost everything you need. The premium version provides scheduled cleaning. If you’re committed to the free version, just make a note that you’ll be using it every few months.
Use the Auslogics Registry Cleaner Tool
Auslogics Registry Cleaner has a long history of efficiently cleaning registry directory inside Windows PCs. The free version offers a basic scan, which is often enough for most users. However, you can upgrade to the premium version for deeper notifications, scanning, and cleaning. You can preview all entries before deleting anything, giving you complete control. However, the tool will only identify entries that are safe for deletion.
Manually delete the registry directory within Windows
If you know how to use the registry and know exactly what you need to remove, you may not need a registry cleaner tool or application. Removing entries manually is a good option if you have installed many different programs or applications to try to ensure that they do not leave traces in your registry.
- Open the Registry Editor by pressing Win + R and type “regedit”. Confirm that you want to open the Registry Editor.
- Either go to the key or entry you want to delete or search for related keys by right-clicking on any file and choosing Find. You will usually find keys related to applications and programs in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, HKEY_CURRENT_USER, and HKEY_USERS files.
- Right-click on any key or file and select “Delete” when you find what you want to remove. The exact keys and files will vary greatly depending on what you’re trying to clean. Remember that this is final and you cannot recover what you deleted without regenerating the key. Consider taking screenshots of what you’re deleting, in case you want to get your enter keys back.
Are registry cleaners safe to use?
In general, registry cleaners are safe but only use reputable and known cleaning tools. Some are just malware in disguise or promise to speed up your computer just to slow it down, just like phone cleaner/booster apps. If you are not sure if a registry cleaner is safe, check the application’s download URL with VirusTotal. You can also use your favorite search engine to search for “clean name safe” to see what other users think about it.