Four things You Need To Know About Your Windows Registry.


by Drew Pilton - Date: 2007-01-23 - Word Count: 1215 Share This!

One of the most essential elements of your pc is the windows registry. Just like a file system where you store your documents, registry is where Windows system stores essential facts about your pc. All software and hardware settings, as well as every other aspect of the system configuration is stored in the registry. Similar to a file system windows registry uses a hierarchical tree structure. For example, the settings for Internet Explorer are stored in HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftInternet Explorer (computer specific settings) as well as HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet Explorer (user specific settings) keys or registry files. Windows uses this assential data to perform every operation.

Installing new software (even if you install a small component from the Internet) or make any changes to the configuration (incorporate new hardware or change the way your desktop looks) the changes are held in the registry.

A new computer will have no errors in the registry. However, over time it accumulates old and out of date records which can cause crashes and slowdown in performance. In addition, spyware, keyloggers, viruses, and trojan horses use the registry to influence the system.

Windows Registry is the most critical element in your PC. Cleaning and repairing your registry requires understanding and expertise. Doing it the wrong way can lead to more problems and even stop your PC from working at all. doing it the right way will lead to less system errors and better performance.


myth 1: cleaning registry as often as possible is a must

In a relatively newcomputer, no more than 6 months old,and if you are not a very active user cleaning the registry would not give you much of a result. However, if you are an active PC user who regularly tries new software, you need to clean your registry regularly. To figure out how often you should clean your registry ask yourself the following questions:

1. How often do I change my configuration settings?
2. How often do I install ActiveX or other components when browsing the Internet?
3. Do I follow the exact software uninstall procedure?
4. How regularly do I install and uninstall video, games, graphics audio and photo software?
5. How often do I adjust my hardware, hard disk, memory, joysticks, monitor, printer or scanner, etc?

The way you answered the questions above will show you weather you need to clean your PC registry daily, weekly, monthly, or every 6 months. More frequent changes require more frequent cleaning.


Myth 2: All registry cleaners are exactly the same. The better cleaners find the highest number of problems.

How many problems it finds is only one indicator. Its far more important to know how many problems are fixed the correct way.

In truth there are two main approaches to registry cleaning: 1) "Smart & safe"; and 2) "Bulk & Deep".

Lets compare it to house cleaning. Many of us end up collecting a lot of paper on our desks. You can clean up by inspecting every single piece of paper, checking each document, newspaper, statement and impotant notice. You file each important document in the right folders and dispose of the junk. However, there are some documents you are not sure about. You spend additional time checking weather these documents are important. This type of desk cleaning is smart & safe, which results in a clean desk and organized folders. Also you know that you will not have problems in the future because you did not throw away those important documents. Similarly, a smart & safe registry cleaner does the job the right way - if it is not sure about the registry record it will not destroy it but will attept to discover weather the record is impotant. This cleaning results in a healthy registry, with less errors and improved pc performance.

Alternatively, while cleaning your desk you may keep only important documents and get rid of the documents you are not sure about. This time you don't take the time to find out if the documents you are not sure about are important. With this cleaning method you will get rid of more documents but you may end up throwing away important files. This method is called "bulk & deep" cleaning. Similarly, a "bulk & deep" registry cleaner might show more problems and remove good registry records.

In fact, some registry cleaners report a lot of so-called "false errors". false errors are falsely identified problems that are, in reality, not errors at all. Even worse than that they could try to correct these false errors. Sellers of these programs attempt to identify more errors to make thier product look better. They call "bulk" cleaning "deep" cleaning. "Bulk & deep" cleaning does a mediocre job cleaning your registry and can lead to more problems and errors later.


Myth 3: Full registry backup & restore is enough to stop any problems.

Having full registry backup and restore is critical as it allows you to bring the registry back to how it was at a certain point in time. It will not be enough to stop you having problems though. You need both full registry restore and undo registry changes.

Let's say in a day or a week after cleaning the registry on your PC you discover a problem with one of your applications. Restoring a full registry backup will bring the registry back exactly to the point in time when you created the full backup. However, you will lose all the changes to the computer configuration you made after that last backup. With "undo registry changes", on the other hand, you are able to reverse the problematic registry changes without affecting the other registry parts. You can fix the problem without losing all the configuration changes made to your PC.

The best rule to follow is: use "full registry restore" for major disasters and "undo registry changes" to fix specific problems.

Registry is the most sensitive part of your pc. The ability to have both a full restore as well as selective undo is a must to keep you out of trouble.


Myth 4: Just cleaning and repairing your registry is enough to prevent problems

You will also need to compact your registry which reduces the registry size and defragments it by removing the gaps and empty spaces in the registry tree.

Having a registry cleaner clean your registry makes it better since it removes unused and out of date data that causes registry pollution, computer errors and a slowup in performance. There are other reasons however for keeping your registry in tip top condition. Registry structure is such that when you remove unused and incorrect data, gaps are created in the registry structure. Your pc uses the registry to perform every operation. Having gaps or empty spaces in the registry tree slows down your pcs performance and might create operational errors. So, just like the defragmentation of files compacting the registry removes gaps and fragments helping your computer to run smoother and faster. That is why as well as to cleaning and repairing the registry must also be compacted.

Summery:
Registry is critical to the health and performance of your pc. Smart & safe registry cleaning, repairing and compacting will will ensure your computer is fast and heathy.

Important:
Registry cleaning is just one of the things you need to do to maintain your Windows computer. You should follow other good practices that include keeping your pc updated with the latest Microsoft updates, regular virus scans and defragmenting your hard drive.


Drew Pilton

http://www.registry-cleaner-magic.com/error-doctor/

Related Tags: software, computer, registry repair, registry cleaner

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