How to Restore the Original Registry Settings on a PC
The Windows registry is the backbone of all system operations. It is a vast, labyrinthine structure and you are not advised to go in there alone. Still, a banged up registry is not always due to user error. Every time you do something like add a program or change system settings, there are changes to the registry. If yours is damaged beyond repair, it may be time to roll back the clock.
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Instructions
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Try one of the countless freeware utilities that promises to fix registry errors before you do anything drastic. Advanced System Care is one such program that has an extensive freeware version.
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Use the System Restore in Windows versions XP, Vista or Windows 7 if you're still having problems. Click "Start" and go to All Programs, Accessories then System Tools. Select "System Restore."
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Restore your system first to a date that you can remember when your system was performing as it should. Restoring all the way back to the beginning is drastic and could be unnecessary. You may solve your problems by first trying a more recent restore date, then trying to isolate what you did between then and now to cause the problem. Remember, System Restore promises to leave your personal files alone, but it will likely uninstall the programs associated with those files if they were installed after the restore point.
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Roll the system all the way back to the beginning if you are still having problems. Cycle all the way back to the earliest point on System Restore's calendar. Follow the prompts then allow the computer to restart automatically. When it comes back up, confirm the restore and you should be back in business.
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