Got Registry Bloat?

The Windows Registry is a database which stores settings and options for all 32-bit versions of Windows. It contains information and settings for all the hardware, software, users, and preferences. Whatever user changes are made via “Control Panel” settings, or file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in the registry. Over time the Registry can accumulate obsolete and nonfunctioning entries (as you upgrade, install and uninstall software) and can often contain huge numbers of erroneous entries that slow down your PC and can lead to crashes.

Fred Langa tested 10 of the most common ‘Registry Cleaning’ software packs in 2005 and rated these two as the best and safest options:

jv16 PowerTools 2006 (full 30-day trial version) – $29.95
EasyCleaner 2.0 – FREE!

Make sure your system is fully up to date with all patches and updates for XP and the installed software, including antivirus and firewall utilities. The system had been set up and maintained well (see System Setup Secrets For Windows XP, Ten Ways To Make Windows XP Run Better, Ten More Ways To Make Windows XP Run Better, and Make Windows XP Self-Maintaining.) And dont forget to back up your registry before cleaning. To be ultra safe you could make a disk “image” (a bit-for-bit exact copy of the hard drive’s contents).