subject: Stop Registry Errors from Ruining Your Computer [print this page] Stop Registry Errors from Ruining Your Computer
Out of the common but easily avoidable computer problems, none is more frustrating and time consuming than multiple registry errors. Your computer's system registry is the central hierarchical database used by the operating system to store all the information necessary to configure the computer for one or multiple users, applications and hardware devices. The registry is composed of various registry keys which hold all the information about how specific parts of Windows relates to one another. The registry also handles how they look and function.
Most people don't even realize that their computer is facing multiple registry errors until the computer becomes practically useless. Common signs of your system registry becoming corrupted are - multiple user profiles not loading properly and applications not opening. But the most horrifying of all registry errors is the blue screen of death. The other common registry error is the "Dll error". This happens when an application is unable to access the .dll file which is vital to run the executable files of that particular application.
If you have never used a registry cleaner before or tried to modify your registry on your own, then the odds are that your computer needs to have its registry cleaned up. The reasons for registry problems are that over time unnecessary programs, spyware, malware, adware,viruses and trojans get deeply embedded in the registry. These types of registry files are very hard to remove and are also the most damaging in terms of data confidentially.
This is in addition to deleted user profiles and uninstalled programs that take up space in the registry. They then damage and corrupt the registry. Incorrectly shutting down your computer can also result in damage to the registry. If left unchecked this registry errors can make your computer completely inoperable and also lose your data.
The registry is made up of five root keys. They are:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR): This key keeps information on file types and extensions, URL protocol prefixes and registered classes.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU): This key keeps configuration information related to the user profiles.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM): One of the most important keys, as this one has all the configuration information on your system's hardware and software.
HKEY_USERS (HKU): This key keeps user information used by HKCU to display current user information. One of its keys, the .DEFAULT key is the template using which new user profiles are created.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC): This key has all the software and hardware information related to the current system user.
To keep your system registry in good shape you can check your registry files manually and Microsoft does have an extensive Knowledge Base for those who are interested in doing this on their own. However, even the Windows Help section recommends that changes to the registry are not to be made manually. The registry editor available in Windows is also recommended only for advanced users. So for the non-techie crowd the best option is to buy a registry cleaner.
There are various registry cleaners easily available on the web, several of them even free. But choosing the right registry cleaner is important too. First of all, a good registry cleaner is unlikely to be free. If it is, it will only be for a limited time. A good registry cleaner will also not automatically install itself on your computer. And even the free scan tool available on most of the registry cleaners has to be installed and the executable file given permission to run a scan on your computer. So if the website claims to have found lots of errors on your computer without you doing any of the above, then you can be sure that its a scam website.
When you are comparing registry cleaners, also look for what other features they all offer. First of all, a registry cleaner should be capable of deleting empty registry keys and invalid registry keys. Then it should also offer other features such as the ones listed below:
Registry Backup Microsoft highly recommends that no matter how you edit or clean your registry, you should always have a registry backup. This way you can go back to your previous settings if you are not satisfied with the new settings.
Registry Defrag Your registry cleaner should be able to tell you whether the registry needs a cleanup or not. This feature also re-organizes the registry's internal structure resulting in more efficient performance on the part of the computer.
Performance Review Lets you see how many errors it has found and whether or not they have been fixed.
Windows Startup Manager Lets you select which programs Windows runs when you start your computer. This will help save your computer's processor and memory, resulting in a faster and more efficient computer.
Auto Scan An auto scan which backups and scans the registry on a scheduled time.
Now a number of websites selling registry cleaners and other software products will claim to have these features. These websites will even have a number of testimonials and other glowing reviews from users on their sites or other software forums. But two really reliable measures of such companies are their BBB rating and the McAfee SECURE logo. A high BBB rating is assurance of the fact that the company and its product is indeed trustworthy and not some scam. A McAfee SECURE logo on the website means that the website has passed McAffe's daily intensive security scan. The site is secure from phishing, links to untrustworthy sites and various other web dangers.
