Editing the Windows Registry

The Windows Registry is an integral and fundamental part of your computer system that ensures the smooth running of your operating system, your hardware, any installed application and your connection to the Internet. Making sure that the Windows Registry is kept clean and free of errors becomes critical if you do not want to experience OS and application seizures and crashes.

However, editing the Windows Registry is not a task for the faint hearted. It is complex and requires thorough knowledge of the way the registry works. This article explains the complexity of Editing the Windows Registry and suggests a way to keep your registry clean without getting your hands dirty - think of it like changing a punctured tire of your car without the hassle of talking it in to a shop or changing it yourself!

What is the Windows Registry and why do you need it?

The registry is a centralised hierarchical database used by various Windows operating systems to store computer configuration information.

This information is necessary for Windows to run your computer system including all your installed applications and hardware devices. Not only does the windows registry save the path and location of these items, it also retains other details which help the processor to locate applications and hardware devices quickly and efficiently thereby reduce decreasing processing time.

Records are kept of each and every item present. Windows registry entries include details on:

• User profiles, settings, options and preferences
• Applications installed on the computer
• Property settings for folders and applications
• Hardware devices installed on the system
• Ports being used
• System Policies
• File Associations

Whenever you make any changes in your preferences or settings, installed software or hardware, these changes are stored in the Windows registry.

When do Registry Programs Occur?

The latest statistics show that about 94% of computers have corrupt and possibly harmful files. On average, almost each PC will have about 150+ errors on them due to corrupt or missing registry entries.

If your system is new, you usually will not notice the need to effect any changes to your registry. However, over time, your registry will grow as you add and remove software and hardware on your computer. These additions and deletions will cause your Windows registry to become fragmented, corrupted or full of errors.

Common errors include:

• Missing, orphaned, broken or bad application/Windows paths, shortcuts and links,
• Unused, obsolete Start Menu items,
• Unwanted browser objects,
• Missing or corrupt application IDs,
• Corrupt Active X/COM Objects,
• Residual and unused file and drivers,
• Unnecessary recent files list
• …the list is endless.

When you remove software from your system, for example, it is highly probable that residuals are still littering your hard drive and your regsitry. The result? Frequent error messages, slow start-ups, sluggishness, declining performance, system stalls, severe degradation in operating speed, unstable and frequent application errors and crashes, and, at times, even an inability to start Windows.

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