How to Explain the PC Registry

How to Explain the PC Registry

The Windows registry is a large database that keeps your computer running as it should. It contains the settings and configurations for programs, applications and system components. Manual management is difficult but can be helpful because it allows you to search for, modify and delete entries that have been installed by viruses, spyware and malware when registry applications do not detect them. For those who are not skilled for manual management, automatic cleaning is both safe and efficient in repairing missing DLL (Dynamic Library Link) files, ActiveX applications and fixing registry errors.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Manual Management

1.      Step 1

Open the registry by clicking the Windows "Start" button. Click "Run" or "Start Search" (Windows Vista users).

2.      Step 2

Type "regedit" (Without quotes) and press "Enter." That will open your computer's registry.

3.      Step 3

Back up your registry by clicking "My Computer" on the left panel. Click "File" and click "Export." Type in the name for the backup file and click "Save." Before you make changes to the registry, it is always important to create a backup copy that you can come back to in case you make an error.

4.      Step 4

Click the path on the left panel that you want to access to adjust or delete certain registry keys. For example, to modify (adjust) a certain key in the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software" path, you click the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder on the left panel and click the "Software" folder. Right-click the key you want to adjust on the right panel and click "Modify." Type in the value data and click "OK" to save the changes. The value data you have to add all varies depending on the programs you have on your computer and which ones are causing problems. Those values will not be the same for every computer user.

5.      Step 5

Most of the registry entries you would want to delete have been added by viruses, spyware and malware. They may vary depending on which of those components are on your computer.
Delete a registry item by clicking on the path you want on the left panel and right-clicking the registry key on the right panel and selecting "Delete." For example, to delete a key in the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software" path, you click the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder on the left panel and click "Software." Locate the key you want to delete on the right panel and right-click it. Click "Delete" to remove the registry key.
If you want to search for specific registry entries, press "F3" to open the search window. Type in the name of the registry entry you want to search for and click "Find text." To search for registry entries using "F3" you need to know the name of the registry entry you are looking for.

6.      Step 6

Click "File" and click "Exit" to close the registry.

Automatic Registry Cleaning

7.      Step 1

Download and install CCleaner free (see resources below). CCleaner is an automatic registry cleaner program that removes unnecessary files, and repairs ActiveX and missing DLL files. ActiveX files are Web browser add-on programs that allow you to view videos, photos and download files from different websites. DLL files are support files for many different programs. When they become corrupt, the programs using them do not open properly or crash within minutes of use.

8.      Step 2

Launch your program after it has installed and click the"Registry" button on the left panel. Place a check on all the registry options in the "Registry Integrity" window.

9.      Step 3

Click "Scan for Issues" to automatically search for corrupt registry files. Click "Fix selected issues" when the scan is complete and click "Yes" to backup your registry.

10.     Step 4

Click "Fix all Selected Issues" after you have a created a registry backup and click "OK." CCleaner will remove unnecessary files and repair corrupt and missing ones. Close the program when the process is complete.

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