Registry Cleaning Software - Increase Windows Performance and Get Rid of Syste

[Randal Martin]

Fixing the Registry with Repair Utilities
The Windows registry can't be repaired manually, so you'll need
specialized software for the job. But how do these tools actually
work? And are they safe?
Registry cleaners usually employ a three-step process for repairing
registry errors:


Backup the current registry
Scan the registry for errors
Repair any errors found by the scan process

Backing up the Registry
Although you could backup your registry manually (by opening RegEdit
and selecting File->Export from the menu), most registry tools
include a mechanism for backing up the registry. This isn't
necessarily done automatically before the repairing process, so be
sure that the registry has been backed up before you proceed. In case
the repair goes wrong somehow, you will be able to revert to a backup
copy of your registry.
Scanning the Registry
The scan process identifies any errors the registry might have. This
includes such things as bad links to files, startup items, broken
entries for system components etc. This process can take anywhere from
30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the size of your registry
and the speed of your computer. After the scan is done, you will be
presented with an overview of which errors the registry cleaner found
and, usually, the option the exclude one or more registry keys from
the repair process. This could be important in case the scan falsely
identified a registry key you happen to know is perfectly OK.
Repairing the Registry
After selecting what to repair, the actual repair process can finally
start. The registry tool now starts applying predefined actions to the
registry keys it has identified as broken during the scan process. Key
after key is dealt with until all keys have been repaired. The actual
repair of a key can result in the key simply being deleted or a broken
reference being corrected. The registry tool usually knows what to do
with any kind of key.
After the repair process is finished, you will usually get a report
that will show you how well the repair process went. It's usually a
good idea to restart your computer and then check if the errors that
prompted you to repair your registry persist.
Three Great Registry Cleaners
There are lots of good registry cleaners available. I'd like to point
you to three tools I think are among the better ones.
Registry Mechanic
PC Tools Registry Mechanic offers a multitude of features that are
easily accessible through its very easy-to-use interface. The scan and
repair process is straightforward and the repair results rank among
the best. What makes Registry Mechanic unique is that it goes way
beyond registry repair. It lets you optimize your system, compact the
registry, optimize and tune Windows services and monitor the registry
for changes. These features make Registry Mechanic an all-in-one
system optimization tool.
Advanced Registry Optimizer
Advanced Registry Optimizer from Sammsoft features similar but not
quite as extensive features as Registry Mechanic. The main features
are of course all there: backup and restore, optimization and
selection of registry sections to scan/repair. You can also define an
exclusion list and schedule regular scanning of the registry. The
interface is very easy to use and scan and repair performance are
good.
RegCure
RegCure is the most basic of the three registry repair utilities
listed here. Don't be mistaken, it does its job well, but there are no
"bells and whistles" like registry compacting or general system
optimization. But options such as an ignore list and a schedule for
regular maintenance are available. RegCure is best if you're looking
for a "plain vanilla" tool without any extras.