subject: System Registry Cleaner To Speed Up Computer [print this page] System Registry Cleaner To Speed Up Computer
The "registry" in Microsoft Windows operating systems is a type of database that keeps track of option and configuration settings for the operating system. At times, entries that are on longer needed or wanted don't get removed correctly. Some experts recommend using a separate product to remove them. We'll look at the advantages and disadvantages of this in our system registry cleaner review.
Sometimes, when you remove a program, the settings for it will remain in the database. And, some of these settings might either be redundant, or they might have been put there by malware. Then, throw in the fact that Windows usually doesn't do a good at cleaning up after itself. Cleaning out these unwanted entries may help increase system performance.
Many different cleaning products are available, and their effectiveness and quality vary greatly. You'll find that some are malware, which will continually bring up warning boxes about how your computer has some sort of infection, and how you need to purchase their product in order to clean it up.
A legitimate product that wasn't written properly could have problems with distinguishing unwanted settings from those that are needed. If a needed setting is accidentally removed, it can make your system either unstable or even unbootable.
Since dealing with the Windows settings database carries some risk, it's a good idea to use a product that automatically creates a backup before it starts to clean. Some experts also use a separate, dedicated backup product, to create a separate copy. Either way, you'll want to have a previous good copy that you can restore if the cleaning product renders your machine unusable.
Fragmentation of the database files can also impact on a system's performance. Many utilities have a built-in defrag option to help take care of this.
If you search on the web, you'll find information about different cleaning products, both commercial and free. Some computer enthusiast websites have reviews of different utilities, as well as tips on how to use them safely.
