Over time, the Windows database, “the registry” in which Windows and other applications store information, can begin to have invalid data. Information that links to a location where there was a file but is now no longer there. This can spoil the Windows experience. Therefore, getting rid of such registry files is suggested to keep Windows performance smooth. This post explains the best ways to clean up these registry errors.
How Invalid Registry Entries Are Created?
Often invalid links occur because the registry entries of uninstalled programs are not entirely removed or the program was not correctly uninstalled, a user views the file attachment without saving it to disk first, or the application files have been moved without uninstalling and reinstalling. This invalid data eventually clutters the Registry and slows Windows performance, thus causing problems.
Luckily, you can clean up and streamline the Windows registry using a Registry Cleaner. The tool finds and removes these invalid & obsolete registry references. Hence, rather than finding and cleaning obsolete registry entries manually, using a tool is a good idea.
When Should You Use Registry Cleaner?
Windows stores every user’s action in the Windows registry, such as the files the user opens and his recent documents. Over time, this information becomes outdated and irrelevant, causing the Windows Registry to contain irrelevant information.
To solve all these problems, we recommend you go for Registry Cleaner:
- Every 30 days.
- When new software is installed.
- When existing software is uninstalled or removed.
How to Fix Registry Errors Using a Registry Cleaner?
No one knows the exact reason for registry errors. However, many believe installation errors, improper uninstallations, or malware attacks can cause it. Whatever the reason, registry errors must be handled for enhanced PC performance. However, before we learn how to do that, it is best to have a backup in place. Once the backup is created, issues can be fixed. To some, doing so might be easy, but for beginners, it is risky and a lot of work.
Luckily, there is an easy way you can use the Registry Cleaner module offered by Advanced System Optimizer. It will not only take a backup of the registry before fixing errors but also allows scheduling registry scanning, fixing errors, and optimization.
To use it, follow these steps:
1. Download and install Advanced System Optimizer.
2. Run the best PC optimization tool and click Registry Optimizers > REgistry Cleaner.
3. Press the Start Scan Now button, and let the tool do the hard work. It will search the entire registry for links pointing to a file and then search your hard disk for that file. Registry Cleaner is the only tool that has intelligent search technology. It will show you the registry key name with its invalid file name. You can stop the search process anytime by pressing the Stop button.
4. After the search, Registry Cleaner will show you a complete list of invalid registry keys.
5. Check the items by clicking the Details link or click the Fix All Issues button to clean all selected items.
6. Wait for the tool to create the backup file. Whenever you delete an item from Registry, the tool creates a backup that can be accessed from the Undo Changes tab.
This is how you can easily fix invalid registry entries and save yourself from encountering registry errors.
But what are the settings the tool performs a search for? Well, read below to get the answer.
Areas Registry Cleaner Scans
Activex OLE COM Sections
Registry Cleaner will search for currently installed COM and Activex objects. Please note that searching Activex OLE COM sections can take several minutes. Registry Cleaner is the only tool that completes the heuristic analysis of Activex OLE COM sections, as they are interlinked and interdependent.
Software Settings
Registry Cleaner will search for the software settings of the currently logged-in user. The system Registry is divided into user settings for logged-in as an individual and settings for the system as a whole. So Registry Cleaner searched for both user and system software settings. Searching for these settings can take several minutes.
Shared Files
Registry Cleaner will search for orphan references to Shared files keeping a list of system Dlls with their path in the registry. Sometimes due to the installation/uninstallation of software, it may contain invalid reference links.
Fonts Section
Many users install new font faces and remove them if they do not like them. Many software comes bundled with their own fonts. Windows stores each reference to a font in the registry. If it is not cleaned regularly, Windows can get confused and start showing different font faces instead of what you expect.
Invalid File Type
Windows remembers which program to use to open what type of files. Example notepad to open text files. This is known as the file type. Sometimes a file type is created, but its opening program is removed or deleted. Thus windows get confused when you open these files or will show icons associated with the program no longer installed. Registry Cleaner will search for invalid file associations and report them to you.
Sounds
Windows allows you to associate an application event with a sound event. Like a ding-dong sound you hear when the Application shows you a Message Box. If a sound file used for that event is missing, Applications and Windows must wait in confusion and sometimes may show incorrect results. Such as playing irregular sounds.
Help Files
It contains currently installed help files by Windows and other programs. It may contain incorrect entries of programs you might already have uninstalled.
Application Paths
Many applications store their programs in association with their installed directory. Sometimes they are moved or changed. Such references keep cluttering the registry. Whenever you launch a program, Windows first searches the Application Paths Section. Missing entries will only increase such search time.
How to Stop Registry Cleaning?
Sometimes you might need to stop the search process. Just press the Stop button, and Registry Cleaner will stop there and then. After the scan is stopped, Registry Cleaner will show you the invalid keys and links found in the registry till now. Registry Cleaner is a safe tool; it searches the registry in read-only mode and will not touch the contents or modify or delete the registry entries unless you tell it to do so.
Safely Fix Registry Errors
For Windows to work properly, the registry should be optimized and free from errors. The best way to keep it that way is to perform scans and get rid of invalid entries regularly. Registry Cleaner helps do it without any manual intervention. We hope you will try the tool and keep your Windows optimized.
Please share your feedback and let us know if you want us to cover any other topic.
Remember, when you press the Fix All button, an Undo file is created, which you can undo at any time from Registry Cleaner.
However, you are advised to be extremely careful when deleting the registry entries. Even though you have the option to undo it, always have a current backup of your system (using the System files Backup and Restore tool). Systweak will not be responsible for lost files, data, loss of information, or any other damages.
Read Also: How to Fix High CPU Usage in Windows
