The Windows Registry and Registry Cleaners

The windows registry is a vital system file that is basically a large list of every program or data file/document that was ever installed using the standard windows installation program (msi).

Think of the windows registry like a big phone book. It lists programs and settings for anything you install or create on your PC.

Most uninstall utilities leave fragments behind in the registry. When something is not completely and cleanly
uninstalled, the registry becomes like a phone book pointing to someone who has moved out of state but the listing is still pointing locally.

Windows tries to manage or find the missing referenced files on your PC. Windows will do this the entire time you are logged on. The searching can take a lot of CPU percentage and slow the computer down.

A registry cleaner can clean the registry if you install and uninstall a lot of programs. There are many different registry cleaners and they can find and remove those "dangling" references. I recommend using one after you have uninstalled 2 or 3 programs in a row.



Here is a basic list of registry cleaners (certainly not all)

Those I have used

• Regcleaner by Jouni Vuorio - works great in Win XP
• JV16Tools by Jouni Vuorio - New set works in Vista, Win 7 includes Regcleaner
• CCleaner - works in Vista, Win 7
• Registry Doctor

Those I have NOT used

• RegCure
• Registry Fix
• Error Doctor
• Wise Registry Cleaner Free
• Auslogics Registry Cleaner
• Advanced SystemCare Free
• Glary Registry Repair
• EasyCleaner

I personally fee any tool that tries to coerce you into paying for their software by using scare tactics should be avoided.

Good luck. I hope this helped.