This article will show you how to remove unwanted entries from the Windows Registry. Keep in mind that the registry is an extremely important database that stores settings and information about processes, so a mistake deleting entries can lead to various failures, and in the worst case, even to a system crash. Only edit the registry if you are sure not to delete anything important.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: How to Prepare to Clean Up the Registry
Step 1. Understand the implications of editing the registry
The Windows registry stores information about every process, program, and setting, so deleting the wrong entry can cause your computer to malfunction. Step 2. Remember the safest way to clean your registry.
Unfortunately, it's not safe to manually clean the registry; Moreover, the actions described in this article may not lead to positive results (speeding up the computer or restoring the registry). To clean your registry efficiently and safely, it's best to use the Registry Cleaner program.
Step 3. Understand the basics of the manual registry cleaning process
The best way to clean your registry without using a program is to start your computer in Safe Mode. In this mode, other programs will not affect the cleaning process, will not be damaged or make changes to the system.
Step 4. Remove unnecessary programs
Do this before you start cleaning the registry:
- Open the start menu
-
Windowsstart - Click "Options"
-
Windowssettings - Click on Applications.
- Select the program you want to uninstall.
- Click Remove.
- Follow the instructions on the screen.
Step 5. Create a system backup
If you accidentally damage the registry, you can restore your system from a backup.
Step 6. Back up the registry
For this:
- Open Registry Editor - type regedit in the Start menu and then click regedit.
- Click "File" in the upper left corner.
- Click "Export" from the menu.
- Enter a name for the registry backup.
- Check the box next to "All" on the left side of the window.
- Click "Save".
- Wait for the registry export to complete (this may take several minutes and the Registry Editor may freeze).
Part 2 of 5: How to Start Your Computer in Safe Mode
Step 1. Open the Start Menu
Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click on "Shutdown"
This icon is in the lower-left corner of the Start menu. A menu will open.
Step 3. Hold ⇧ Shift and press Reloading the menu.
Do not release ⇧ Shift until a blue screen appears.
Step 4. Release ⇧ Shift when the blue screen appears
Step 5. Click Troubleshoot
This option is in the middle of the screen.
Step 6. Click Advanced Options
This option is marked with a toolbox icon.
Step 7. Click Startup Options
This option is located in the middle of the screen.
Step 8. Click on Reboot
You will find this option at the bottom of the screen.
Step 9. Select the "Safe mode with loading network drivers" option
Press the number key to the left of the specified option (usually the number key "5"). The computer will start in safe mode, after which you can start cleaning the registry.
Part 3 of 5: How to Open Registry Editor
Step 1. Open the Start Menu
Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Find Registry Editor
Enter regedit to do this.
Step 3. Click on regedit
It's at the top of the Start menu.
Step 4. Click Yes when prompted
The Registry Editor will open.
Part 4 of 5: How to clean the registry
Step 1. Open the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder
To do this, click on the icon
to the left of the folder at the top left of the window.
Step 2. Open the "SOFTWARE" folder
It stores the folders of programs that are installed on the computer.
Step 3. Find the folder of the unnecessary program
You can safely delete only those registry entries that relate to the programs you removed. Therefore, find the folder that matches the name or developer of such a program.
You may need to open a developer folder (for example, the Adobe folder) to view that developer's software folders
Step 4. Right click on the folder
A menu will open.
Step 5. Click Remove
This option is on the menu.
Step 6. Click Yes when prompted
The registry entry will be deleted.
Step 7. Repeat this process with other unnecessary programs
When all unnecessary program folders have been removed, proceed to the next step.
Step 8. Close the registry and restart your computer
Click the "X" in the upper right corner of Registry Editor and then restart your computer from the Shutdown menu
… Once the computer restarts, it will return to normal mode and the registry changes will be saved.
Part 5 of 5: How to Use the Registry Cleaner
Step 1. Install the Registry Cleaner program
It will scan the registry, find damaged or unnecessary entries, determine which ones can be safely removed, and then delete them. To install this program, follow these steps:
- Go to https://www.auslogics.com/en/software/registry-cleaner/ in a computer web browser.
- Click Download Now.
- Double click on the downloaded installation file.
- Click Yes when prompted.
- Click on "Install".
- Uncheck the boxes for the additional software and click Decline (you may have to do this several times).
- Wait for the program to be installed.
Step 2. Run Registry Cleaner
Click Finish when the software is installed and then click Yes when prompted.
Step 3. Open the Settings menu
It's at the top of the window.
Step 4. Make sure the "Archive Changes" option is checked
This option is on the menu.
Step 5. Click Scan
It's near the bottom of the window. The Registry Cleaner will start scanning your registry for bad entries. When the scan results are displayed on the screen, proceed to the next step.
Step 6. Click on Fix
It's near the bottom of the window. Registry Cleaner will remove unnecessary or damaged entries.
This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the registry
Step 7. Restore the registry, if necessary
If your computer starts to malfunction, restore the registry by following these steps:
- Click File.
- Click Rescue Center.
- Select the most recent backup.
- Click "Restore".