What is Windows Registry?
Most of you, in the field of computing, must be aware that Windows Registry is one of the hottest topics in the context of Windows optimization. Before moving on to discuss some of the problems related with Windows Registry and their potential solutions; let’s briefly explain the concept of Windows Registry for our novice readers.
To be precise, Windows Registry is a directory, or a repository, that houses the options and various settings for the OS; Windows (including 32 bit versions, 64 bit versions and Windows Mobile). Many people get suspicious about what exactly it stores? In one sentence; “Windows Registry stores all the information and settings for all OS software, non-OS software, hardware, user settings, preferences etc.” For example, settings for your internet, folders, networks, desktop etc are all contained in Windows Registry. They keep information regarding the start up of programs, the best way to run the programs and how to shut the programs.
Windows 95 was the first operating system, in the series of Microsoft OS, which incorporated the feature of Windows Registry. The purpose was to tidy up the abundance of per-program .INI files which had been used in order to store various configuration settings. However the introduction of Windows Registry has brought another problem. You may have noticed that a recently installed Windows runs much faster in comparison with a Windows that had been installed almost 6 months back. Can u guess why this is so? You will notice this even on two systems having same processor and memory specifications. The reason behind this is Windows Registry. Whenever you make any change in the settings or system policies or you install new programs or uninstall various programs from your system; all of these changes are properly logged and stored in the registry. This can lead to a slower PC performance which will be discussed later.
Problems Associated with Windows Registry
As mentioned earlier, the changes you make in the settings of your PC are stored in the System Registry. The registry even keeps track of the smallest change that you have made in your system; whether it is a change in the setting, an installation of software (Whether OS or Non-OS), un-installation of software; each and every activity, which leads to some change in your system, is logged into the System Registry. So where comes the problem? The problem arises when the size of these files (registry files) gets bigger and bigger as we do more changes in our system. As a result, our system’s performance decays and it reacts sluggishly. Whenever you delete any file or uninstall a program, a reference is kept for that deleted file or program in the Windows registry. This reference, which is of no use, is not deleted and when your System’s registry gets filled with these unwanted files, it makes your System lethargic.
Well, it doesn’t mean that you should stop making changes in your PC; you should do changes according to your interest. What you should take care of is to scan the registry in order to remove those files that are no longer required by your system.
How many of you regularly scan your OS Registry to remove unwanted registry entries? In real, most of the computer users don’t bother about the System registry. So the size of the registry files get bigger and bigger and over the time the Windows Registry gets saturated with various broken links, unnecessary and duplicate files and it often happens that the registry finally becomes corrupted. When it happens, you start getting problems like
If you are one of those unlikely guys who are facing the above mentioned problems and degradation in system’s performance, then it means that your registry has become corrupted. If this is so, then you may or may not be aware of various hidden errors and bugs that are really harmful for your system’s performance.
How Invalid Windows Registry affects Windows Performance?
One of the main and apparent effects of Windows Registry Problems on your Windows Performance is the processing speed. You find applications or web pages running too slowly. You notice that your System is taking too much time at the start-up. You notice that the frequency of your system being halt increases. You must keep in mind that Windows registry is one of the most vital part of your OS since it makes the applications to interact with each other smoothly with the help of file associations. However, it is only in the beginning when everything looks really perfect but over the time, because of the additions and removals of various programs, the registry is left with file debris which finally results in slower PC performance and your system becomes unstable.
A computer tends to run slow when these registry files get messed up. This could happen because of many reasons. These files generally get messed up when music, videos, screensavers, software and pictures are downloaded, as these programs tend to install their own registries. Also, installing and uninstalling of software hampers the registry files. Whenever you install a program, it registers itself by putting its registry in your computer. Havoc is created when these registry files overwrite the current registry files as the new registry files contain wrong instructions for the program. For example, after a current registry is overwritten by a new one, what might happen is that when it is desired to open a program, the application may not open at all or what might even happen is that the computer might just restart. This is the reason why it is always recommended to install software like registry cleaner or scanner in order to maintain the registry through proper cleaning and it helps in running your system with maximum efficiency.
How to Fix Registry Problems
Anti-virus or Anti-spyware programs are not always enough to answer the problems of your system performance. Why don’t you try some quality registry cleaning/repair software like Registry Washer, Registry Cleaner, and Registry Scanner etc to get rid of various Windows Registry problems. Hope most of you know about registry cleaning/repair programs; it is just like an antivirus program. There are various Registry Cleaning applications available today online, out of which most of them are free. However, you will find some Registry Cleaning software that charge a small fee but they are worth it. What you have to do is nothing but a click on the scan button and the software will do its job. Isn’t it a simple way of handling a complex problem? What happens, in general, is that these registry cleaning/repairing applications perform scanning for any obsolete or invalid entries and then they come up with a list of errors they found in the Windows registry. The application, then, gives you the control of manually deleting or repairing the errors. After finishing it, just logoff and restart you computer so that the repair can be applied correctly.
Don’t worry if you have made a mistake while manually deleting or repairing the errors. Most of the registry scanning applications provide the feature of backup for the changes that you have made. Once it is done, your registry will be more optimized and it will result in better PC performance. After having it all, don’t forget to regularly scan your Windows Registry or it will be too late for you.
