Clean your Windows registry

There are several areas in the registry that can be cleaned manually. They include:

• File extensions that are not used by any programs (.in_ for example)
• Remnants of software that was never fully deleted
• Duplicate files
• Spyware or viruses that have embedded themselves in the registry
• Outdated hardware drivers

HOW TO CLEAN THE REGISTRY SAFELY

As easy as manual removal and cleaning is in the registry, a much safer choice is to use registry cleaning software. These registry cleaners help eliminate much of the risk when you attempt to clean the registry manually, and often tell you what is safe to remove. Still, they are not entirely fool-proof.

Registry cleaning utilities don't always tell you what they're doing. Sometimes they will recommend removing programs or information with little or no explanation of what or why. Although the registry cleaner may say that a particular registry value is removable, it can very easily be wrong, so it's important not to trust the registry cleaner implicitly. Quite often, 'removable' programs or files are mixed in with files or programs that should not be deleted. Unfortunately, it is necessary to go through all of the problems presented (as numerous as they may be) in order to be sure nothing will be removed that should be kept.

RECOMMENDED PROGRAMS

RegCleaner

RegCleaner provides users with various tabs to browse and allows them to delete the registry values under them as they wish. It also provides them with directions on what to delete and what should be left alone. The program also provides options to uninstall or remove software, add or remove programs from the startup list, delete file extensions that have no program associations, and remove shell extensions. Perhaps most beneficial, the program has a backup tab where the original state of the registry is saved after each change in the event the user makes a mistake and wants to restore a deleted value.

The one downside to RegCleaner is that the interface is not as friendly as it could be, and is sometimes confusing when you are unsure of the value in question.

Bottom line: RegCleaner is a fine program that works very well for those people who just don’t have the time (or energy) to clean a registry manually. Lacking a clean interface and a scanning option, it is far from great, but it's free!
Price: Free. Get it here.

RegistryBooster 2

RegistryBooster 2 does everything expected of a registry cleaner, and then takes it to a whole new level. With a slick interface and the ability to scan, repair, backup, and defragment the Windows registry, it is a one-stop shop for registry repair. Upon scanning the registry for problems and errors, the program gives the option of backing up the registry before making changes. This feature alone helps alleviate any worries of deleting the wrong value and being left with a very expensive paper weight. On top of all this, Registry Booster cleans up the system quickly and efficiently at a very fair price. With a free trial and great defragmenting performance, Registry Booster is an ideal solution for anyone looking to clean the registry and improve performance.

Bottom Line: RegistryBooster 2 sports a great look and even better performance. With scanning and defragmenting utilities that outshine the competition, and a free trial to boot, RegistryBooster 2 sits at the top of the list. Unlimited fixes would have been nice in the trial period, though.
Price: Free trial, $29.95 to buy. Buy it now.

CleanMyPC Registry Cleaner

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