Registry cleaners claim to optimize the Windows registry and boost PC performance, but running a registry cleaning program can cause irreparable harm.
As part of their general computer maintenance, many PC users run registry cleaner software to remove unnecessary entries from the Windows registry and to delete program fragments from software that has been uninstalled, but has left components in the system.
Cleaning the Windows registry is supposed to be beneficial for a PC since deleting redundant registry entries increases the available memory of a computer, and should, therefore, optimize the PCs performance.
However, using registry cleaning software to optimize the Windows registry is not without its dangers. Using registry cleaners can irreparably harm an operating system to the extent that the computer will no longer boot up, requiring a complete re-installation of Windows and potentially causing the PC user to lose important files.
Furthermore, the benefits of cleaning the registry regularly are vastly exaggerated.
Do Registry Cleaning Programs Really Optimize PC Performance?
The registry on a typical PC consists of many thousands of entries. Over time, some of these entries become obsolete as software is un-installed. However, the memory usage of these un-required registry entries is minimal, and their removal will generate an insignificant gain in the performance of the PC.
This is not the same as deleting files from the Windows temporary folder, or cleaning out the history of a browser. Removing these files can restore a significant amount of computer memory, and will therefore boost the performance of a PC. The Windows registry, however, is a vital part of the operating system, and coordinates how files on the computer are associated, in what order files should be run at start-up, and stores user preferences and system settings.
As such, even minor changes to the registry can have a huge impact on how the computer runs, or if the computer will run at all. And this is where the danger of using registry cleaning applications lies.
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The danger of using a registry cleaning program to remove obsolete registry entries is that the software can inadvertently flag a crucial component of the operating system, which, if deleted can cause the operating system to become unstable, potentially to the extent of being unable to boot up.
When is Running a Registry Cleaner a Good Idea?
Registry cleaning programs can be beneficial when a problem has already occurred with the system. This could be caused by a registry entry that is causing a conflict with recently installed software, preventing the program from running correctly. Identifying the problem entry can be a difficult task for a PC user without an intimate knowledge of how the registry works, and in such a case, registry cleaning programs can quickly rectify the problem.
If a situation arises where running a registry cleaner is necessary, there are some precautions that can be taken to limit the possibility of a system failure caused by the software incorrectly deleting a registry entry that is required by the operating system.
Always Back Up The Registry Before Running Registry Cleaner Software
Not all registry cleaning applications include the option to make a backup of the Windows registry, but creating a restore point is a precaution that should always be taken before running any software that deletes registry entries. If there is no built-in option to create a backup, then the user should make a registry restore point manually.
As a secondary precaution, any irreplacable files stored on the PC should be backed up on to a portable hard drive, burned to CD or uploaded to an online data storage provider. While backing up important files should be performed regularly, creating copies stored elsewhere than on the PC, before running a registry cleaner insures that in the worst case scenario, should the PC operating system become unstable or fail completely, current versions of the files remain available. One of the files that should be backed up is the registry restore point.
Do Not Delete Every Entry Identified by the Registry Cleaner
When a registry cleaning program is run on a PC, especially for the first time, it will most likely list many registry entries as being unused or unnecessary. The temptation is to allow the program to delete every entry it finds.
If the user has run the registry cleaner to identify a particular problem with the registry, finding the most likely candidates within the list and deleting only those entries is advisable. If the problem persists, the user can rerun the registry cleaner, and repeat the process until the fault is resolved. This minimizes the chances of inadvertently deleting a system file that is necessary for the stability of the operating system.
Use a Windows Registry Cleaning Program with a Good Reputation
There are many registry cleaning, boosting and optimizing programs available, and the choice can be overwhelming to a PC user new to using registry maintenance software. Choosing one with a solid reputation for achieving good results without causing damage to the registry is always a good idea.
One such program is CCleaner, which is free to download and use. CCleaner has received many awards and consistently good reviews for its stability and registry cleaning performance from such companies as PC World and the BBC, and websites such as the Download Squad.
Registry Cleaners Are Not Vacuum Cleaners
Nothing cleans a PC quite like reinstalling the operating system. The unwary PC user running registry cleaners on a regular and unnecessary basis might just end up discovering this when their operating system suddenly fails.
Registry cleaning programs have their uses, but should not be treated as the virtual equivalent of a vacuum cleaner. The apparent benefits of optimizing system performance and boosting speed by increasing available memory by deleting unneeded registry entries is largely untrue, and only really helps in a situation where the PC is running noticably slower than usual, which should only occur after many months of intensive usage.
