| The Microsoft Windows operating system contains | | | | If your computer system is running slowly or taking a |
| something called the Computer Registry which is a | | | | long time to boot up it might be because the |
| special database used by the operating system to | | | | Registry has become very inaccurate or incorrect or |
| hold information and settings for all the computers | | | | badly organised, so if you are experiencing any of |
| software, hardware, and user preferences etc. When | | | | these types of problem then it might be a good idea |
| you make changes via the Windows Control Panel, or | | | | to use specialist software to detect and correct |
| you change file settings or install or uninstall software | | | | problems with your Registry data. |
| these activities all result in information being changed | | | | Such Registry repair software must perform the |
| in the Registry. | | | | following basic types of action such as: |
| As time goes by all these alterations to the Registry | | | | 1 Backup your current registry, just in case you need |
| database can result in some of the stored | | | | to restore the original settings. |
| information becoming inaccurate or incorrect or badly | | | | 2 Detect and remove any remaining uninstalled |
| organised. As an example, running the uninstaller | | | | software information. |
| software to uninstall a particular program may not | | | | 3 Correct and allow you to manage which programs |
| remove all of the information from the Registry for | | | | are run when the operating system starts. |
| that program. | | | | 4 Checks that all references such as paths to |
| Experienced PC users can examine and edit the | | | | programs etc. are valid. |
| contents of the Registry via the Registry Editor | | | | Many of the Registry cleaning/maintaining programs |
| program called RegEdit. To run the RedEdit program | | | | often allow you to scan your Registry for free to |
| click the Windows Start button and then select Run | | | | give you a report on any problems, but they will not |
| from the menu and enter regedit in the Open: text | | | | correct any of the problems that they find. Running |
| entry field and then press Okay. Please note that | | | | one of these free scans will mean you can decide if |
| altering the Registry incorrectly can cause your | | | | you need to obtain this type of software to maintain |
| computer to have problems or even stop the | | | | your Registry. |
| Windows operating system from starting. | | | | |