Useful Computer Tips For Everyone (Part3) - Cleaning your computer registry
Author: Martin Lemieux
Within part 1 & 2 we learned about viruses, spyware, adware detection techniques, and prevention
techniques. This tutorial will show you how to clean your computer's registry in order to manage the mess created from viruses, spyware, and other programs. When your computer gets infected with
malicious software, they leave behind a trail of computer jargon that slows down your computer dramatically. Also, when you add & remove programs, they too leave behind a trail of registry
information that is no longer valid.
What is a computer registry?
"The Windows Registry is the place on your PC where Windows
stores information it might need to retrieve later—for example, when you open an application or change a system setting. The registry contains profiles for each user, the applications installed on the
computer and the types of documents they create, what hardware exists on the system, and the ports being used. " Source: Oncare.Live.com
How Do I Clean My Windows Registry?
With
a registry cleaner of course ;) . Registry cleaner software's don't need to scan your computer as often as anti-virus, and anti-spyware software's do, but it does need to be done periodically to increase
the speed of your computer.
*** WARNING ***
You MUST select "Create Backup Registry" before scanning your computer and deleting files at random. Creating a backup of your
registry files is necessary just in case you delete something that helps a program within your computer to work. Don't be afraid, this is why we create backups before scanning a computer and deleting
files. Most registry scanners ask you to create a backup as soon as you launch the program!
What Registry Cleaner Software Do I Use?
Most registry cleaners are not shareware and
require a fee to use their software. Here's a list of great registry cleaning software's that are highly recommended:
- Registry Mechanic By PC Tools Software ($29.95)
- Wise Registry Cleaner (Free)
This is a good choice for novice computer users. This software will tell you what is safe to remove and what is not safe to remove.
- SoftwareOnline - Registry Cleaner ($29.95)
- Win Doc Pro 3.5 ($29.95)
*** 2ND WARNING ***
I am not responsible for any registry loss you
might encounter from using any of the above software's recommended by me. Cleaning your registry is an advanced feature that should be taken seriously. I recommend you use the free version (Wise Registry
Cleaner) because at least this software automatically creates a backup for your registry and it shows you what files are NOT safe to delete. For more advanced users, I don't have to worry about this
warning, you already know the dangers in manually deleting registry keys yourself.
In Conclusion:
Registry keys identify a path to software's, and services within your computer. Over
time, your computer's registry can fill up with junk registries that slow down your computer. Using a registry cleaner will help to detect false registries and allow you to delete them at will in order
to increase your computer's performance. For novice users, please try the free version to know which ones to remove, and which ones NOT to remove from your computer.
This now brings us to:
Part 4 - Defragmenting your computer, and disk cleanup
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