Clean Your Registry: The Do’s and Don’ts of Computer Registry Cleaning

Is your computer slow? Does it crash or take forever to boot up? If you need a jump in computer performance, you will need to show your computer some loving care. It’s likely that your computer will benefit from a clean registry. However, a clean registry doesn’t come without some work. Before you go poking around in your computer’s registry, here is a run-down of some critical do’s and don’ts.

Do Basic Maintenance

First, DO make sure you have scanned your computer for any and all viruses. Computer freezing is often due directly to infection by a virus. Before you can have a clean registry, you will have to spend some quality time with your virus protection programs.

DO clean the computer at regular intervals and defragment the hard disk. This is the one-two punch when it comes to a clean registry. You will also be able to upgrade your computer’s performance and stop freeze-ups with this maintenance. When your hard disk drive is crammed with garbage, the computer doesn’t have the space it needs to run your programs smoothly. A clean registry is the result of regular computer maintenance; this is the best way to keep a well-functioning system.

Do Backup and Close Programs

DO make certain that you have a safe place for your existing registry. Before you open any type of cleaning software, you should make sure that you are totally backed up.

DO make sure you have closed out any and all applications before you begin. You should also dump any tools you may have in your system tray. This is crucial because all open applications are constantly changing the registry. Do make sure that your cleaner can operate without interference.

Don’t Get Lazy or Wander Away

DON’T use any type of pirate software for a clean registry. The pirate software will often be loaded with viruses that will slow down your computer. Infection by computer viruses can hinder your computer’s performance dramatically.

Also, a big DON’T: DON’T turn off the electrical power to your computer until every application has been closed properly and completely. If your computer loses power prematurely, your files will be lost. Also, do not press the power button itself when shutting down, as the system won’t start up correctly next time. Instead, allow the system to shut down through its usual processes.

DON’T run very large programs if you have low memory. It is best to save your most current files when performing a registry cleaning.

In some other programs, you can mindlessly keep hitting the “Next” button with little to no attention. When you are cleaning the registry, this is a DON’T. You must remain alert and read everything the cleaning tool is showing you to ensure that the process completes successfully.

When the scan is completed, the clean registry program will allow you to remove the registry errors. If you have the chance, you can set the clean registry software to make only the safest and least-threatening changes first, reserving the more aggressive ones for later.

And there you go, you’ve got all of the important do’s and don’ts you’ll need to clean your computer registry. Good luck and happy hunting!