As part of its Clean Up scan, there is a free registry cleaner. Running this scan is a great way to rid your PC of clutter and keep it running at its speediest.

What is the registry?

The Windows Registry is the place on your PC where Windows stores information it might need to retrieve later—for example, when you open an application or change a system setting. The registry contains profiles for each user, the applications installed on the computer and the types of documents they create, what hardware exists on the system, and the ports being used.

Why should I clean my registry?

Over time, the Windows Registry can begin to contain information that's no longer valid. Maybe you uninstalled an application without using the Add or Remove Programs function in the Control Panel, or perhaps an object or file in the registry got moved. Eventually this orphaned or misplaced information accumulates and begins to clog your registry, potentially slowing down your PC and causing error messages and system crashes. You might also notice that your PC's startup process is slower than it used to be. Cleaning your registry is the easiest way to help avoid these common problems.

How do I clean my registry?

The Registry Easy clean up scanner will find and remove any invalid registry items on your PC. It's easy—it’s part of a full-service Windows Live OneCare safety scan. Or, for a targeted approach, click Clean Up Scan in the Clean Up Center. The clean up scan will check your registry and locate any items that can be removed safely. You can then choose to remove all the items the scanner finds or select items individually for removal.

Can't I just delete registry items on my own?

We don't recommend trying to remove registry items on your own. It's often difficult to determine which items correspond to which applications, and by attempting to remove items yourself, you might accidentally remove a valid registry item, causing software crashes and errors. The Registry Easy clean up scan is a safe and effective way to clean your Windows Registry.

And remember, when you want to remove a program or software application from your PC, always use the Add or Remove Programs tool in the Control Panel. Doing so ensures that any registry items associated with that application are removed safely.

What if I accidentally remove something I need in my registry?

Not to worry. Just like Microsoft Word, your PC has an "undo" option. In this case, it's called System Restore. Once it's finished scanning, the Windows Live Safety scanner creates a System Restore point on your PC. This allows you to revert your system to its original state, before you performed the scan, in case you inadvertently remove any valid registry items.

To access the System Restore Wizard in Windows XP:

1.      Click Start, then select All Programs.

2.      Select Accessories, then System Tools, then System Restore.

3.      In the System Restore wizard, make sure Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected, then click Next.

4.      Now you can use the calendar to select the date you performed the clean up scan and instruct your PC to revert to the way it was before you ran the scan.

How often should I clean my registry?

We recommend a complete Registry Easy safety scan once a month. The full-service scan checks your registry automatically.

Related topics

To learn more about spyware, read the other topics in this series: