Is it worth it to clean the Windows registry? Ways to clean the registry in Windows How to remove windows 8 from the registry.

Computer performance depends on system registry Windows - a database that contains information about the system configuration, as well as settings installed programs. Long work leads to the accumulation of so-called "garbage": links to shortcuts remote applications, invalid file extensions, and so on.

There are two options for how to clean the registry in Windows 7/8/10. If you are an experienced computer user, then you can clean it manually. However, if there is no time to get acquainted with all the registry settings, there are many free programs. These applications are able to automatically find and fix errors, delete unnecessary files and entries.

Special programs

Software cleaning saves user time. Also special applications help to eliminate the appearance of errors in the registry due to the incompetence of the user.

The article below talks about special utilities, which have proven to be the best solutions for cleaning the registry.

1. CCleaner

This program has many functions, among which there is a fix for problems in the registry. The popularity of the application is due to the fact that it is distributed free of charge and is great for non-commercial use.

The developers have taken care of unforeseen situations that may arise in the course of work. Therefore, before starting the cleaning process, the program suggests creating a restore point for the entire system. The presence of constant monitoring of the system allows you to correct errors automatically.

Consider the sequence of actions to clean the registry in windows 7 using the CCleaner utility.

1. Download CCleaner from the official website and then install it.
2. Launch the application using the appropriate desktop shortcut.
3. Go to tab "Registry".
4. Select the necessary items where the search for errors will be performed (all checkboxes are checked by default).
5. Start searching for errors by pressing the appropriate button.
6. Click "To correct…" to remove invalid keys.
7. Do backup to avoid unexpected errors.
8. Modify the registry by deleting the values ​​and keys suggested by the program.

2.Reg Organizer

Reg Organizer– feature-rich solution to fix performance issues Windows systems. The program offers both manual and automatic way cleaning.

A license to use all available features costs $10. Free version The program only finds, but does not fix registry errors. Below is the algorithm of actions for changing the registry.

1. open full version software.
2. Select an item "Registry cleaning ».
3. Click the button "To begin" in the window that appears if you are not sure which individual sections to check.
4. Wait for the system scan to finish, after which you will be presented with a list of all problems found.
5. Click the button "To correct" if you are ready to start the process.

3. Windows Cleaner

The program is free, well suited as an alternative for automatically cleaning the registry from system junk. It is also possible to configure system startup and create backup restore points. The application works only under the Windows operating system.

Follow these steps to troubleshoot issues:

1. Open the program after installing it on your computer.
2. Go to tab "Registry" in the window "Cleaning".
3. Select the required items to check from the list.
4. Perform analysis by clicking "Analysis" .
5. Click the button "Cleaning" to get rid of the problems found.

Manually

If you're willing to take responsibility and try the cleanup yourself, here's a list of the steps you need to take.

1. Launch the built-in registry editor of the system. To do this, open the window "Run" on the menu "Start".
2. Enter "regedit" in the window that appears, and press "Enter" or the button "OK".
3. Make a backup before you start making changes. To do this, go to the "Export" menu in the tab "File". Indicate that you want to keep the entire registry. Select the location where the exported file will be located and click the button "Save".
4. Go to the "for all users" section, then the entries could remain in the Local Machine section, in otherwise- in the Current User section.
5. Close the editor after completing all necessary steps.

Important! Perform manual cleaning only when you are fully confident in your competence and knowledge in this area.

Quite often, PC users are faced with a slow computer response to tasks. Previously, these same functions were performed in just a fraction of a second, but gradually the system takes much more time, which is definitely annoying. The most common reason for a decrease in computer performance is the clogging of the Windows registry, in such cases Windows 8 registry cleaning is performed.

The system registry is an important link on which the stability of the computer depends. Lots of settings are stored here. operating system and its components. Progress does not take long, so regularly released software, when installed or removed from the computer, can leave residual entries in the registry. The more time this problem is not given importance, the worse the situation becomes, so it is important to know how to clean the registry in Windows 8.

A modern computer definitely needs periodic maintenance. It will solve many problems associated with low performance. To provide a computer normal functioning, it is necessary to clean the registry from time to time. Cleaning the Windows 8 registry can be done manually, but this task requires certain skills from the user.

How to clean the Windows 8 registry without harming the operating system:

• scan the registry for errors;
• execute backup registry configuration;
• eliminate identified errors and delete unnecessary keys by software;
• analyze the changed sizes of the registry;
• check the health of the system and main applications.

Windows 8 registry cleaners:

1. RegCleaner allows you to clean the registry of garbage, and all the work is done in just a few clicks. You can download the program for free. There are no restrictions on its use either. The program performs the following functions:
   • backs up data before scanning;
   • removes information left over from previous programs;
   • cleans the registry of unused DLL files.
2. CCleaner- a well-known program provided to users free of charge. It's pretty simple, but at the same time enough powerful tool for cleaning and optimizing Windows OS. The prerogative of the program is to remove non-working and junk files generated by browsers or programs. Features of CCleaner:
   • cleaning the registry of unwanted files;
   • the ability to control the autorun of the program;
   • optimization and acceleration of the operating system;
   • automatic software update.
3. Reg Organizer- a multifunctional program created to maintain the registry. With its help, the system is cleaned, data is compressed and then defragmented. In addition, Reg Organizer allows you to remove programs without residue, "sweeping" all traces that remain after a normal removal in the system registry. Features of Reg Organizer:
   • export, import and copy key values;
   • search, replacement and deletion of keys in the registry;
   • complete removal of the software through Full Uninstall;
   • automatic error correction and registry cleaning;
   • registry optimization based on file compression and their subsequent defragmentation.

The above are the best and repeatedly tested applications designed specifically for monitoring and fixing system registry problems - with them you can easily clean the Windows 8 registry periodically without risking damage to the operating system.

Today there is a large number of various programs cleaning hard drive and the registry, alternative uninstallers and defragmenters, tweakers and other various programs that, according to their manufacturers, can significantly speed up and optimize the operation of the OS. There are hundreds of articles on the Internet that test and compare these software products, praise some of them, and speak skeptically about others. Dozens, if not hundreds of thousands of pages of reviews about various optimizer programs are written on the forums. And among them you can find both rave reviews from users who claim that after cleaning the registry, the system began to work “tens of times faster”, and requests for help from other users who “something broke”.

Numerous disputes and holivars about which of the many “optimizer programs” cleans the registry and speeds up the system best do not help users understand this issue at all. Therefore, in this article we will consider in detail the appropriateness and correctness of performing such actions.

To be honest, I have not been able to get an intelligible answer from any fan of “cleaners” to the question “why, in fact, clean the registry?”. Most of the answers boil down to the fact that since there is “garbage” in the registry, it means that it needs to be cleaned. Some, however, argue that this increases overall performance systems. But no one has yet been able to provide proof of this. Therefore, most often, users argue their position only with “personal observations”. Of course, it is quite naive to rely on your feelings in such a performance assessment. However, I'm willing to admit that some users subconsciously "feel" a performance boost because they expect it. If someone can correctly argue the advisability of cleaning the registry with cleaner programs, please comment.

In fact, the presence of unused registry settings cannot affect the performance and, moreover, the stability of the operating system. Windows simply does not address them. The speed of work does not increase, despite the advertising of the manufacturers of such “cleaners” and the agitation from their users. And stability can even deteriorate significantly. The only useful effect of such a procedure is to free up a few kilobytes of hard disk space by deleting registry settings. But, you must admit that in this case, the need for it immediately disappears.

However, the registry cleaning procedure itself is potentially dangerous. Often this can lead to malfunctions of both the operating system and the set. application programs. Moreover, such problems may not be detected immediately, but after a few months. In such cases, it is already very difficult to establish the root cause, and this entails a considerable loss of time for diagnostics and attempts to restore the normal operation of the system, and sometimes even reinstallation. And, worst of all, in this case, such problems are not at all associated by the user with the procedure for cleaning the registry a month ago, so he will continue to step on the same rake, and, which often happens, advise this utility to other users.

Why is registry cleaning potentially dangerous? I will quote Igor Leiko, a well-known expert in the field of Windows OS, who has written 6 books about Windows and Office and has the status of the Most Valuable Microsoft Specialist (Microsoft MVP) in the nomination Windows Expert - IT Pro:

Cleaning the registry is, by definition, a potentially dangerous operation, because the developers of cleaners do not and cannot have complete information about all possible records in the register. Therefore, they cannot reliably know which record is correct and which is not, and operate by semi-empirical methods or, even worse, by trial and error. There is little consolation for a person who will be the victim of a mistake that other problems have not yet arisen.

Cleaner developers cannot know the correctness of different entries, for the reason that the registry is just a database into which any software developer can add anything. Collecting information about all possible parameters and all possible entries from all software developers is unrealistic.

In some cases, a situation may indeed arise when it is possible and necessary to clean the registry. But only when there is a practical need for it. And only if you know exactly what you are deleting. I'll give an example:

The antivirus program removed a malicious file that was trying to infiltrate system folder. But the registry entry for running this file remains, and when you start the computer, it bothers you with the error message “file not found”.

This entry in the registry can, and even needs to be deleted. For these purposes, you can use the built-in OS Windows utility regedit or program RegWorks .

As a conclusion, I want to say: leave your registry alone, and stop doing stupid things. If you really want to speed up your work, at least boot up, Windows can recommend the book Vadim Sterkin "Acceleration Windows boot” , which can get it for free on his blog .

What are the actions for Windows optimizations do you produce on your PC? Do you use built-in tools, or third-party tools? Write your answer in the comments.

), v best case only the "body" of the program was removed, and much of it remained in the depths of your computer. Most beginners can’t even think about it, and remember only when, under the weight of rubbish from various software garbage, your system begins not only to bend, but to burst at the seams, giving out, for example, all kinds of “blue screens”.

TO cleaning the Windows registry must be approached very competently and carefully. At least it's not for beginners. Moreover, they are not advised to entrust work with the Windows registry to all sorts of programs, even if they are super-cool

ATTENTION: If you decide to clean the Windows registry, be aware that you will have to work not with anything, but with the Windows registry - the holy of holies of the system, and careless handling of this very registry is like a waltz in a minefield. If the registry is neglected, problems may arise. . You can only delete files that you know

Aha! Now I’m going to teach here how most of my fellow admins on similar sites, they say, run the registry editor, delete this and that there ... Oh no: o) First of all, backup, backup and backup again. For those who are not in the know and do not know what backup is, this is the creation of a backup copy of data in case something goes wrong. That is why a computer magically differs from a vacuum cleaner, which allows you to almost always “roll back” to an earlier, working state if you manage to “cheat” something with your system, including reading this lesson inattentively.

Step one: Back up your system...

So, it means that we make a backup of the system and the registry: and we make it all standard Windows tools. And the last "Chinese" warning:

If you have a non-original Windows (assembly) installed, it is better to refrain from using any of the recommendations outlined in this article, since cleaning the registry on a broken Windows is a triple risky business!

Further, so that there are no questions, I will describe the procedure for each Windows versions, separately for XP and separately for Windows Vista, Windows 7. Please do not confuse anything, be careful. If you doubt your abilities - better refrain from experimenting!

If for some reason System Restore was disabled on your computer, you must enable it, then make a restore point. In Windows XP, this is done like this: On the menu Start click right click mouse icon My computer and choose the item Properties. In the opened window System properties find and click on the tab System Restore. Check the box Enable System Restore. Now you can safely "click" the button OK.

But that's not all: now we need to create the system restore point itself. To do this, you need to perform the following sequence of actions (let me remind you - this is for XP): Start — Programs — Standard — Service — System Restore and there click on Create point. It is also possible in another way: Start — Run, enter there rstrui and press Enter and further as in the first method.

Now I will describe how to enable System Restore and create a checkpoint in Windows Vista, Windows 7. Due to the similarity of these two systems, the steps below will be valid for both versions: To do this, you need to log into the system under account with administrator rights. Next click Start, right click on Computer and select in context menu Properties. In the untitled window that appears, on the panel on the left, click System protection. If you are prompted for administrator rights or confirmation of consent, enter the password (again, if necessary) or confirm. In field System Settings select drive C (or the drive on which you have Windows 7 installed) and click on the button Tune. Next, you need to click on Restore system settings and previous versions files- this is important, because God forbid, of course, but we may have to restore system settings and older versions files. And now, without leaving this window, you need to press the button Create. Enter a name for this checkpoint and click Create. Windows drives the green bar a little and gives you a congratulation - they say it was created successfully! Now click OK, once again OK. On this preparatory stage can be considered complete.

Action two: looking for what we need to clean ...

And again, I won’t talk about how to dig into the registry yet, because it’s a little early ... First, we need to decide thoroughly what exactly to clear in the registry, and only then we will proceed to cleaning the registry directly. In other words, measure seven times and clean once!

Before removing any program, ask who its developer is. This will be useful to you in the future in order to properly clean the registry from this program. The fact is that when installing their program on a computer, software developers like to create in the registry Windows entries with your company name. Moreover, sometimes it happens that when a company changes its name, the corresponding registry entries that are created when installing their program have exactly the old name of the developer (probably this was done for compatibility).

For example, if we take the famous disc burning program Nero, we find that the Nero program has a developer company of the same name that focuses on one of its successful products. Nevertheless, more experienced comrades will not let me lie that Nero used to have a different name - Ahead. Therefore, in the Windows registry, and in the names of the folders where the program is installed, the name Ahead is also found, as it now turns out, associated with the Nero program. Yes Yes! It turns out that it is not so easy to clean the registry, you need to learn a lot before doing it. And how do you now entrust the cleaning of the registry to some stupid cleaner program?

Action three: Correctly delete a program that we no longer need ...

Perhaps on Nero and practice. Moreover, we all know the two magic words Nero and Ahead. We remove this wonderful program from our computer. We go to Start — Control Panel and for Windows XP Install Remove Programs, and for Windows 7 (Vista) in Programs and components. But even here it is not so simple. It turns out that Nero is a whole range of programs, and you also need to know this. For example, if you suddenly become unnecessary Microsoft Word, most likely you will not find it in the list of installed programs. Because Microsoft Word is included software package Microsoft office, so you are unlikely to succeed in deleting Word separately from Office (although you can).

Therefore, we remove in turn all the programs included in Nero. To do this, double-click with the left mouse button on each program: Nero Burning Rom, Nero Express, and so on, until all programs with the inscription Nero disappear from the list.

When the uninstallation of programs is finished, go to My computer - Drive C - Program Files and look for folders there with names containing our two cherished words: Nero and / or Ahead. Very often, such folders remain, although the program itself no longer exists. Delete these folders shopping cart. For Windows Vista and 7 we need to check in one more folder − Program Data. Display must be enabled for this. hidden files. I don’t want to repeat how this is done - you can read. Do not be upset and do not be surprised if in folders Program Files and Program Data, you will not find the specified folders - some programs behave correctly and completely remove themselves during uninstallation, but still it never hurts to check.

And that's not all - do not be lazy and look (if in Windows XP) in the folder C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data, and C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\Application Data, and even easier to use search and find all folders with names containing Nero and Ahead. In Windows 7, thanks to its improved search, this will be even easier, and we also delete these daddies (Nero and Ahead) in the Recycle Bin.

When the correct removal of the program is finally over, we move on to the most important and crucial part of our whole undertaking with you ...

Step Four: Cleaning the Windows Registry...

Click Win+R and enter in the launch line regedit and click on OK by launching the Windows Registry Editor in such a simple way. On the left side you will see the section K computer, expanding it by clicking on the triangle you will see the sections

*HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*,

*HKEY_CURRENT_USER*,

*HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE*,

*HKEY_USERS*

*HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG*.

We will skip *HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*, there is nothing for us there.

Method 1. We clean the registry

Now… No-o-o! We don’t clean anything yet, but again we make a backup copy, now of the registry itself. To do this, left-click on File - Export... and save the Windows registry in a file with the extension .reg, preferably on another drive, not on C . Now, with peace of mind, you can finally start editing and cleaning the registry. In the registry editor, click once on the inscription Computer(or My computer in Windows XP), and then press the keyboard shortcut ctrl+f a search box will appear. Enter the word Nero there first and click OK. The computer will “think” a little and give you a registry branch in which you will see the search word. We carefully look at what is written there, if the path to the program is written, for example C:\Program Files\Nero\…, etc. - it is obvious that this path belonged to the program we deleted. Remove this entry from the registry. Then press the key F3, and the search finds us the next value that contains Nero. Or we will see a whole section with the name Nero in the Software section, we also delete it. And so we repeat our actions cyclically until the registry editor gives us the phrase Registry search completed- it means we have reached the end of the registry and the program will not find anything for us.

We repeat the same with Ahead. And so we clean the registry from the program. After that, close the registry editor and restart the computer. If the computer boots up normally, then everything worked out for us, and you can run to show off to your friends and acquaintances that you manually cleaned the Windows registry yourself!

This is how you can correctly and without a trace remove programs from your computer and clean the Windows registry from a no longer needed remote program, and having become adept at this, you can even manually remove some viruses, without an antivirus! Do not forget about caution and care! And also, remember! No even the most vaunted cycleliner will ever replace your mind and hands. For lovers of portable programs, I’ll make one more parting word - keep in mind that it’s not always of course, but quite often your favorite “portables” also litter the registry with their entries. It all depends on the kulibin that this portable made.

Method 2. We clean the registry manually from programs.

Expand * HKEY_CURRENT_USER*, open the section *Software*. Now we read the entire list of folders, there will be many programs that you deleted a long time ago, but a record of them remains. And these records clog and slow down the computer.
And, unfortunately, not all programs see and delete them. Therefore, when we see such an entry, we click on it with the second mouse button and select *delete*, or simply select this folder and press the Del button on the keyboard. Please note that all (or many, depending on the situation) settings of this program will be erased, and when next installation they will have to be re-posted. But it's not that hard.

Now collapse *HKEY_CURRENT_USER*, open *HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE*, it has a section *SOFTWARE*. And also we look for and delete unnecessary entries. Delete records only about those programs that are removed. Otherwise, the program may stop working. When you clear this section as well, close *Registry Editor*. Restart your computer. Everything.
Courtesy of luxhard.com