Working With The Windows Registry

The Windows registry is one of the most essential components of the Windows operating system because it is a database of all configuration information that is required to run software and hardware on your computer. The registry also comprises system settings and user preferences that control the look and feel of your desktop for each user who works on it.

Configuration information in the registry is saved in the form of a tree-like hierarchal database comprising keys, subkeys and their zero or more value. At the root of the registry tree there are five root keys—HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR), HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU), HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM), HKEY_USERS (HKU), and HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC). The subtree branching out of each root key contains specific type of configuration information.

The HKLM and HKU root keys are real root keys while the other three are just mirrors of these keys and comprise only that information that is specific to the current user. The HKLM key is the database of software and hardware on your computer and HKU comprises information related to configure users. HKCR and HKCC are mirrors of the HKLM root key and HKCU is the mirror of the HKU root key.

Because the registry is such an essential Windows component, it is quite prone to errors. The following are some of the common causes of registry errors:

• Registry errors may occur if you frequently install and uninstall programs. When a new program is installed entries are added to the registry. So, if you add several programs, the registry is bound to grow at the same speed. Moreover, quite often when you remove a program there are left over entries in the registry. These entries unnecessarily reside in the registry and add to its growing size.
• Virus and spyware infections are also a major cause of registry errors. These malicious programs are known to enter several hidden and sometimes, non-removable embedded registry keys that make it practically impossible to completely get rid of these infections.
• Faulty and buggy programs and device drivers may add incorrect registry entries that may, in turn, generate runtime, DLL and driver errors.
• A growing registry may easily get defragmented and slow down the data access speed. A slow registry deteriorates the performance of your computer and may cause frequent system freezes and crashes.

These are just a few of the top causes of registry problems. If not taken care of in time, these registry problems may increase by manifolds in no time and considerably affect the performance of your computer. To prevent this from happening, it is essential that as a vigilant user, you perform regular registry maintenance. Experts recommend the use of a good, third-party registry tool to accomplish this. A good registry tool will enable you to:

• Scan and clean your registry to remove all unwanted, outdated, and invalid data from it.
• Perform a deep scan to weed out all hidden and embedded malware entries to ensure complete removal.
• Defrag the registry to remove empty registry keys and reindex the registry files to make them contiguous and thus, enhance the PC performance by improving the registry data access speed.
• Backup the registry on a regular basis to help you easily recover your system if an irreversible damage occurs to the current registry database.