Your computer registry is a vital part of the operating system on your PC. This is a culmination of information to help you maintain a healthy computer system. Cleaning your computer registry should be done weekly and not left to chance.

Invalid registry keys are the major cause of computer errors, crashes and slow downs. Invalid registry keys are usually want is left behind from a program that has been uninstalled from your computer. You need to repair these registry entries to ensure a smooth running computer as leaving them can lead to many problems.

Windows Xp and Windows Vista are both equipped with a registry Editor. You can use this Registry Editor to view entries and even remove invalid file entries. It is always advisable to backup your computer before changing any files in the registry. In saying this it is not equipped with a function that can scan, remove and repair registry entries. You will need to use one of the many online tools available today to do this for you unless you are a very experienced user.

If you were a Windows XP user but have now upgraded to Windows Vista you will notice that the Registry Editor has very similar parameters. However this not to suggest that you should as an inexperienced user attempt to maintain your computer registry yourself, this is for the experienced only. Deleting the wrong entry could lead to devastating effects and an expensive computer tech fee at the end of the day.

Installing new software or hardware on your Windows Xp or Vista computer system is more complex than you are lead to believe. Every function of the install or un-install is logged in the computer registry. Overtime the registry can become full of obsolete files and this happens whether you have followed the correct un-install or install directions it is unfortunately unavoidable.

It is essential that you clean your Registry because the unnecessary files such as DLL’s and other worthless entries can cause major problems on your system’s stability and reliability.

Removing and installing programs can cause corrupt entries in your computers registry. This can in effect degrade the overall running of your computer which could lead to your computer failing to start altogether. If you have not done so already it would be a good idea to consider cleaning your computer registry to stop any further or future problems developing.

Before editing your computer registry MAKE A BACKUP. Deleting anything from your registry files is permanent and can cause your computer to lock up or even fail to start next time you reboot. However with a little care taken it is not an extremely difficult operation but it is a vital one for a computer that is performing poorly.

To open up the computer registry editor you just need to click on start then run and enter this command “Regedit” you will be taken to the registry editor. If you are looking for a specific file or program just go to edit in the top tool bar and then find once there just type in the program name make sure you tick all the boxes, then just click find which will bring up all reference to the searched for name.

There is another way to increase your system performance with having to use the Registry editor. You can access a program called MSCONFIG by going to start then to run and typing in “msconfig” this will open a new window on your desktop where you can click the startup tab to view all programs that have loaded during startup. Remember all of these programs are using up valuable resources on your PC. You can if you know what you are doing uncheck these programs to improve system performance.

To maintain a healthy computer registry always follow the un-install directions of any programs you are removing. This should minimize the risk of creating orphaned files and corrupt DLL’s that could interfere with your registry. It is advisable to conduct a computer registry scan at least once a week.