3 Steps for Proper Windows Registry Maintenance

By: Wayne Wu
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:02:36
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Since I'm going to talk about the Windows registry, it's better to give you a big picture of what it is before delving into the details. Let me put it this way, the registry is a hierarchical database in the Windows operating system, where configuration settings related to hardware, user preferences, memory setup, and applications are stored. You probably won't notice a need to fix any registry problems when your system is new, but as you use Windows for a period of time, your registry will become larger and larger, clustered with unnecessary and obsolete registry entries after software and drivers are installed on and removed from your computer.

To most PC users, the Windows registry is a mysterious and dark part of the operating system. Only experienced users would try to tweak it for enhanced system performance. It is widely agreed that invalid registry keys or entries are often the culprit of the majority of weird system errors and application installation/uninstallation problems. For instance, when a software package is removed, it is very likely that its remnants are still lurking in the registry. Without cleaning invalid registry entries, your system will be left with seeds for imminent trouble. In view of this, I'll cover the basic steps that average users can use to keep the registry clean and healthy with a few mouse clicks.

1. Back up the registry:

Be sure to back up your registry first before editing it. Making an incorrect registry modification could destroy any applications running on your system, even rendering Windows unable to boot in the worst scenario.

For Windows XP users: The best way to back up the registry is to use the System Restore tool. Click 'Start', point to 'All Programs', 'Accessories', 'System Tools', and then select 'System Restore'. Choose 'Create a Restore Point'. Click 'Next' and follow the directions.

For Windows 2000 users: The best option is to use the export capability in Windows' Registry Editor to create a full backup of the registry. Click 'Start', point to 'Run', type 'regedit', and press 'Enter'. Select 'My Computer' in the folder tree, select 'File', 'Export', and identify a file name and destination. Save the file on a CD disc or other removable media.

2. Clean the registry:

As I mentioned earlier, the longer you use Windows, the more cluttered the registry can grow because some applications don't remove all traces of themselves when they are uninstalled. Orphaned registry entries may cause such problems as slower performance, system lockups, and strange installation error messages. The more common result is a bloated registry that takes longer to be loaded.

Windows 95 comes with a built-in registry cleaning utility called RegClean, but Microsoft does not include it in their operating systems after Windows 95. You'll have to use third-party utilities. For the most comprehensive Registry scanning and cleaning, you may want to buy a utility like Error Doctor or Registry Fix. These utility suites provide advanced features that fully scan, optimize, and maintain the registry, and they all work with all versions of Windows from 95 through XP.

3. Fix a damaged registry:

For Windows XP users: Restore to a past restore point by clicking 'Start', pointing to 'All Programs', 'Accessories', 'System Tools', and then selecting 'System Restore'. Choose 'Restore my computer to an earlier time'. Click 'Next' and select a restore point from the calendar by clicking a bold date and then selecting a restore point. Click 'Next' and confirm the restore date by clicking 'Next' again.

For Windows 2000 users: There are two options available. The first one is to import a registry backup into the registry by using the 'Import' command on the Registry Editor's 'File' menu. The second one is to use 'Last known good configuration'. Here are the steps to do it - Restart the computer. Hold down the 'F8v key while your system is booting up. Select 'Last known good configuration' from the Startup menu with the arrow keys on your keyboard. Press 'Enter' on the keyboard to confirm your selection.

Conclusion:

Knowing how to back up, maintain, and restore the registry is an important part of keeping your computer running smoothly. I want to stress that modifying the registry should be done with care in that incorrect registry entries made could destroy the Windows operating system.

Wayne Wu has been a freelance technical writer for several years. For more information about Registry Cleaner Software, check out http://www.businessinfo.tw/LP/fixregistry/

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Computers category

  • Can Dell Truly Regain Its Top Spot - By: Carl Winston
    Dell has been working hard to regain it top position in the global PC industry, deploying various strategies related to operations and production. But will it succeed?
  • Should You Use Cloud Computing - By: Carl Winston
    Cloud computing has become rather well-know and can facilitate you or your business in a number of ways.
  • Renting a Storage Unit - By: Ellerbrock Catina
    You may need a storage unit for a variety of reasons. You could be moving out, or renovating your home, or downsizing from a bigger home to a smaller one, or your possessions may simply have outgrown the space in your home. You can find an appropriate self storage facility either through the yellow pages or through an online search. You need to select a facility that is convenient, a facility that is somewhere in your neighbourhood.
  • US and Japan in the Tech Mix - By: Darwin Redshield
    I'd like to take an opportunity to examine several recent examples of successful and unsuccessful cross-pollinations between the Japanese and American technology industries.
  • The Variety of Styles Available of a Laptop Desk or Laptop Table - By: MJ Marks
    With the advent of the laptop computer comes the need to use them in comfort. Using a laptop on a chair or in bed often leads to neck and back strain, but by using a laptop table or laptop desk, much of this can be avoided. Take a look at the two basic designs available to find what would work best for you.
  • All Pro Solutions' Zeus Series - The Difference Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Modes - By: Christian Czentye
    This article describes the main differences between synchronous and asynchronous modes of duplication with the Zeus series by All Pro Solutions. In synchronous duplication, Publisher uses all of the optical drives to burn the same disc image. In asynchronous duplication, Publisher uses each optical drive to burn independently, so each optical drive can be burning a different disc image.
  • Mapping Ancient Egyptian Sites with GPS and Imagery - By: Michiel Van Kets
    C. Jason Smith is an associate professor at the City University of New York, LaGuardia and founder of the freelance writing collective Discipline & Publish.
  • Online Poker Rooms: The best places for minting money - By: Melville Jackson
    he software is stable and responsive. Even with more than a thousand players using it simultaneously, the software has never crashed or slowed down till date.
  • Play Texas Hold 'em online: Get connected with your buddies - By: Melville Jackson
    Texas Hold 'em poker (also called Texas Holdem or Texas Hold'em) is one of the most popular card games available today.
  • Data Centre Solutions: Outsource the IT Infrastructure for Business Success - By: Isla Campbell
    When a company outgrows their existing IT infrastructure, what are the options available to them?