How to Fix a Windows System Registry

A corrupt System Registry may cause your computer to freeze or crash.

The Windows operating system includes something called the System Registry. The System Registry includes registry keys, subkeys and values. Essentially, it is a database for all your important system information. Sometimes, the System Registry can become broken. For example, a computer virus may corrupt a registry key or place a malicious registry entry into the System Registry. Fortunately, Windows 7 allows users to fix the System Registry by restoring it to a point prior to corruption.

Instructions

1. Click "Start," type "systempropertiesprotection" into the "Search Programs and Files" box and press "Enter." The System Protection tab of the System Properties window opens.

2. Click "System Restore."

3. Click "Choose a Different Restore Point," and click "Next."

4. Select the restore point that you want to use (i.e., a point created before you experienced the registry problems), and click "Next."

5. Click "Yes" to confirm, and then click "Finish System Restore." Your computer will restart.

6. Click "OK" when the "System Restore Confirmation" page appears.

Tips & Warnings

• Several third-party programs are available online that can clean and repair your System Registry. These include Fix-It Utilities, Ace Utilities and Uniblue Registry Booster.

References

• Windows Guides: Restoring the Entire Registry
• Top Ten Reviews: Registry Repair Software