The Windows registry is not something you will tickle every day. When Windows is not working properly, you need to clean the registry, but dumping the wrong file in the process can cause the system to crash or become corrupted. So, in this article, we will show you three ways to clean the registry on Windows 10 and 11 safely.
Let us start by defining what the Windows registry is. In essence, it is a complex database containing information about the hardware and software on your computer. These items have the potential to get you in big trouble if not cleaned properly. Let’s find out to understand better.
Causes of Registry errors on Windows
There are several reasons why registration errors can occur. In most cases, the error is caused by software installation or uninstallation. It usually creates new entries in the registry when software is installed. But when uninstalling software, these entries are not always removed. This causes an error.
The accumulation of junk files and invalid entries over time is another common cause of registry errors. They can be caused by various causes, such as improperly closing the program, installing/uninstalling the program without using the appropriate tools, etc.
Over time, as more and more entries are added to the registry, it can become cumbersome and inefficient. This can lead to registry errors and can slow down your computer’s performance. Therefore,
Make a backup of the registry files
As a precaution, before proceeding with the registry cleanup, you should back up the registry. You can use this backup to restore the registry to its original state if something goes wrong.
Step 1: Press ‘Windows Key + R’ and type the following command to open Registry Editor.
re-register
Step 2: Next, click Yes to prompt.
Step 3: Go to the File menu and select Export from the drop-down menu.
Select all your export ranges to backup the entire registry. However, if you are changing a particular branch, you can make a backup of that branch.
Step 4: Select the location and name of the file and click Save.
Sometimes when importing you may see the registry editor unable to import the file error and one of the common reasons is the location of the file. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you store this backup file on a flash drive or any external hard drive for safety.
Once done, proceed to clean up the Windows registry.
How to clean the Windows registry manually
Let’s discuss the different ways to clean the registry on Windows 10 and 11. There are many free registry cleaners, but Windows also has built-in registry cleaners that you can use use.
Note: All methods mentioned below are same for Windows 10 and 11.
1. Use Disk Cleanup
This tool is not dedicated to cleaning registry files; however, it is a useful tool for cleaning leftover files from the registry and by far this is the easiest way to do so.
Step 1: Press the Windows key, type Disk Cleanup, and then press Enter.
Step 2: In the ‘Select the drive you want to clean’ prompt, select the drive where the Windows operating system (C:) is installed and click OK.
This tool automatically calculates the space that can be freed on the selected drive.
At times, you may find yourself stuck in the calculation window. A simple abort and restart will work; if not, see different ways to solve the problem.
Step 3: Now click ‘Clean up system files’, select the necessary folders and press OK.
You can tick all the options; just make sure you don’t have anything in the Trash that you might want.
2. Use DISM to clean registry files
DCIM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is another tool/command in Windows that can fix system updates and errors. It can also fix corrupted registry entries. This is the way:
Step 1: Press the Windows key, type Command Prompt and click ‘Run as administrator.’
Step 2: Now, type the following command in Command Prompt.
DISM /Online /Picture Cleanup /ScanHealth
That’s it. The scanner will find and delete all errors and sort them out on its own. Mind you, not all errors are related to the registry, but with this you can fix problems that you didn’t even know existed.
3. Clean the Windows Registry with a Third Party Tool: CCleaner
If you are a Windows user, you probably already know CCleaner, a popular Windows PC cleaning software. This freemium software does a number of things, from helping to clear cookies to destroying temporary files (including registry files).
Note: If you’re going directly to this method, we recommend backing up your registry, which we mentioned at the beginning of this article.
Step 1: Download and install CCleaner for free using the link below and run it.
Step 2: Click Start.
Step 3: Go to space.
Step 4: Check all the boxes (Trash, Temporary Application Files and Temporary System Files) and click ‘Back to Overview.’
Step 5: Now click the ‘Make it better’ button.
Your go. CCleaner will clean up your temporary files as well as your registry files. This software offers many other features that you can discover on your own or check out our tutorials.
Windows Registry Cleaner FAQ
1. Is there a Microsoft registry cleaner?
No, because Microsoft doesn’t support using registry cleaner.
2. Should I defragment my registry?
Yes, because a fragmented registry will directly affect your computer’s performance and slow it down.
3. How often should I clean the registry?
Cleaning the registry is essential to prevent your system from crashing or slowing down. For optimal performance, we recommend that you clean your Windows Registry every three days.
Get rid of registry files quickly
Registry files play a role in running Windows properly, but they are also responsible for system anomalies and crashes. After learning how to safely clean the registry on Windows 10 and 11, you may find it helpful to learn how to fix the registry editor when it stops working properly. Happy cleaning!
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
