How to Delete Registry Keys

The registry contains a vast amount of information pertaining to your system's operation.

The registry is an incredibly important part of all Microsoft Windows operating systems. Essentially, the registry is the database containing all of the information for the hardware and software used by your computer. Therefore, it is imperative that you understand that any changes made to your system's registry may adversely affect your computer and possibly disable it entirely. If you've been infected with a virus that has altered your registry, make sure you know exactly which keys to remove before proceeding with the deletion.

Instructions

Save Your System's Settings

1. Create a System Restore point before making any changes to your registry. Click on "Start" and navigate your way to "System Tools." Then select "System Restore."

2. Select "Create a Restore Point" and click on the "Next" button, which is at the bottom of the window. This will cause a new window to appear on your screen.

3. Decide on a name for your restore point and type it in the space provided. Click "Create" after you've finished typing in the name. Once the restore point has been created, you can click "Close" at the bottom of the window. With the restore point created, you can go back to System Restore and restore your system if you encounter any problems due to the changes you make in your registry.

Delete a Registry Key

1. Click on the "Start" button and select "Run." In the provided space, type "regedit" without the quotation marks. This will open your system's registry editor.

2. Search for the registry key you wish to delete. If you know exactly where the key is located, you can navigate to it directly by clicking on the appropriate fields. Otherwise, you can use the "Find" feature by clicking on "Edit" and then "Find." Type the key in the space provided and press "Find Next."

3. Select the registry key you wish to delete by right-clicking on it with your mouse. This will bring up a small menu. Select "Delete" from the menu in order to remove the key. You can also left click on the key and select "Delete" from the "Edit" menu at the top of the window. You will be asked to confirm the deletion. Click "Yes" to proceed.

References

• Microsoft Support: How to Back up and Restore the Registry
• Microsoft Support: How to Add, Modify or Delete Registry Subkeys and Values
• MSDN: How to Add and Delete Registry Keys in the Registry Editor