How to Repair the Registry of a Sluggish PC

The computer registry may develop errors even during normal use.

During the course of normal computer use, including installing and removing software and files, the registry may become fragmented and contain errors generated from the operating system, user-generated errors, file system errors and errors related to devices attached to the computer. In addition to undesired performance, these errors can cause the computer to become increasingly sluggish. Errors in the registry can be corrected regardless of a user's knowledge of how to repair the operating system registry.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Install a registry cleaning software program such as OK Registry Repair or Advanced System Care 3, which contains a built-in registry cleaning utility as well as other utilities to tune up the performance of the computer.

2. Open the registry-cleaning software by clicking on the Start menu and clicking on the registry cleaning program or by clicking on the desktop icon to launch the registry cleaning software program.

3. Select the option to repair errors within the registry. Click the button to begin the scan. The scan will detect errors in the registry such as missing shortcuts, file system errors, device driver errors and memory errors. Click the button to repair the errors. You will need to save the existing registry on a CD or USB flash drive before proceeding with the repair.

4. Review the list of errors that were found during the scan for registry errors. The great majority of these errors will need to be repaired.

5. Click the button to repair the registry again once you have backed up the existing state of the registry. This option automatically repairs the errors that were found in the registry.

Tips & Warnings

• Users with more advanced knowledge of computers may wish to repair the errors to the registry by clicking the Start menu, pointing to "Run" and typing in "regedit" to access the registry information, audit for errors, and make the necessary adjustments to the registry to repair a sluggish PC.

References

• PCWorld: How to Clean Your Windiws Registry and Speed Up Your PC