How to Clean Your Windows Registry The Smart Way

The Windows registry is the gatekeeper of the Windows operating system and all the applications that run on your PC.

The older your PC becomes the more cluttered this index becomes. This is due to old Windows registry keys that are left behind from previously deleted applications and files.

There is the stupid way to clean your Windows registry and there is the smart way to clean your Windows registry. I am providing you the smart and most efficient and safe way to back up your Windows registry regardless of the Windows registry cleaning application you choose to run.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. ALWAYS BACK UP
   
   Windows allows you to create a restore point on your hard drive. A restore point is nothing more than a bookmark on your hard drive that states if you mess things up really bad you can restore it to the state you found it before you starting making changes. ALWAYS CREATE A RESTORE POINT! and back up files before you engage in any type of PC cleanup.
   
   I've got a few links at the bottom of the article to show you how to create a restore point.

2. DON'T MESS WITH THE REGISTRY YOURSELF
   
   Unless you understand how registry hives and cab files are orchestrated, do not tinker with registry files by hand unless you know exactly what you are doing.
   
   Instead choose a registry cleaner and let it do the job for you. There is almost and endless array of registry cleaning software out there to choose from. Pick one and go for it.

3. ALWAYS DELETE APPLICATIONS AND FILES PERMANENTLY
   
   Once you've cleaned your Windows registry, think about investing in an Uninstall application that completely wipes all files when you delete and application or file.
   
   The purpose for this is that it helps you maintain the Windows registry and keep it clean, so that legacy keys don't accumulate in the the Windows registry and cause future PC performance issues down the road.

Resources

• Creating A Restore Point In Windows