Just as you would store your documents in a file, the Windows stores all information about your computer in a Registry, such as all the software and hardware settings, and everything about the system configuration.
It is the most critical aspect of the operating system, and needs to be cleaned periodically.
A Registry Cleaner is a program that looks for and deletes outdated entries.
Using it periodically will make your computer run better.
Registry was first introduced by Microsoft in Windows 95.
Before this, configuration settings were all stored in INI (Initialization) files scattered all over the hard drive.
Due to this, it was quite difficult to keep a track of them.
A registry consolidated all information in a central location.
It is a central cache of all settings, options, and preferences of the PC, manages the start up options, and keeps a track of the various software installed in the system.
Removing the Build Up Over time, the registry in a computer builds up and this can make the computer unstable and have a slow start up.
As you keep on using your computer, the registry keeps on building up with obsolete and unnecessary information.
These need to be cleaned up using a registry cleaning program.
This is especially true for Windows 95 and 98.
However, Windows NT, XP and 200x also have a lot of entries that are not necessary, and are created when programs are installed or removed.
It is always advisable to use a registry utility to remove these unwanted entries to make your computer run faster.
The registry clean software scans the registry to trace the obsolete data, deletes it to enable your computer to run error free and enhance the performance of your PC.
Most cleaners have a backup function to help you backup your registry before cleaning it, in case you encounter a system failure, and some files get deleted inadvertently.
You can get a free registry cleaner or trial version.
But the free or trial versions have their limitations therefore it is better if you select a licensed registry cleaning software for this purpose.
A damaged Windows registry in your computer can corrupt your whole system, rendering it unusable.
To keep this vital part of your computer in a good working and an un-bloated condition, a good cleaner should have the following features:
- Automatic scanning of the registry and its cleanup
- Backup and restoration of the full registry
- A startup organizer
- Removing Trojan, which utilizes startup files
They have their own minimum system requirements, such as :
- Some that are compatible with Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP may not be suitable for other versions of Windows.
- Some require a particular class of processor with a certain amount of RAM
- You may need a certain amount of empty hard disc space.