Detailed instructions for cleaning the registry. Ways to clean the registry in Windows

Sooner or later everyone Windows user 7 faces noticeable performance degradation operating system. As a rule, this problem is caused by the registry being filled with various garbage such as empty keys, links to removed shortcuts etc. Another sign of this kind of problem is the occurrence of atypical system errors. If such troubles occur, it is necessary to clean the registry.

Automatically

Automatic cleaning involves a procedure that does not require direct user participation and is carried out using special programs. This method is considered the safest, since its use does not affect files important to the system.

You can find many Windows 7 registry cleaning programs on the Internet. However, it is better to use proven, proven utilities, including CCleaner and TuneUp Utilities.

Optimization with CCleaner

CCleaner - quite popular app to clean and optimize values. The program is available for free download, but also has paid version Professional, which is recommended for use in business. Suitable for all versions of Windows.

To properly optimize the registry with the CCleaner utility, you need to perform the following algorithm of actions:

Download and install the application. Launch it.
Select "Register". In the “Registry Integrity” tab, check all the boxes and click “Search for problems”.
Click on the “Fix” button. If the program prompts you to save a backup copy, agree - this file will help you restore your data if something goes wrong during the correction. You can save the backup copy anywhere, as long as you don’t forget which save path you chose.
Now you can move on to the correction. You can view detected problems and fix them individually, or remove them all at once using the “Fix all selected problems” button.
When the removal is complete, click the “Close” button and search for problems again. If they are found, repeat the correction procedure. Do this until you see a message stating that there are no problems when checking.

Cleaning with TuneUp Utilities

TuneUp Utilities, or AVG PC TuneUp, is a multifunctional utility for configuring and optimizing the operating system, the functionality of which includes options for cleaning and defragmenting the registry. The program is shareware- the user is offered an introductory trial period, after which a license must be purchased to access all functions. Like CCleaner, it is suitable for all versions of Windows OS.

To fix registry problems using TuneUp Utilities, do the following:

To complete the registry optimization, you can defragment it, thereby eliminating defects and structural errors. This is done very simply:

Click the Registry Defragmenter button on the Optimization tab.
Click “Next” to perform the analysis. The utility will warn you that for the process to complete successfully, you need to close other programs - follow this advice and click OK.
Wait for the process to complete. After that, select the appropriate one from the proposed options (“Run again and optimize” or “Optimize the next time the system starts”) and click “Yes”.

With TuneUp you can not only fix errors in the registry, but also perform many other useful functions, from optimizing PC performance to customizing visual design.

Manually

You can only resort to this method if you are a fairly experienced user, since inept handling of the registry can seriously harm the operating system. In some cases, it may even be necessary to reinstalling Windows. Therefore, if you do not fully understand what exactly you are going to do, it is better not to even think about how to clean the registry in Windows 7 manually.

If you are unshakable in your decision, before editing the registry, be sure to make a backup copy of it or create a system restore point (preferably choose the second) - this will allow you to return everything to its place if something does not go according to plan. To perform all the steps described below, you need to have administrator rights.

So, for manual cleaning you need to do the following:

Create a restore point. To do this, click on the Start button, go to Control Panel and select “System and Security”. Go to the "System" section. On the left side of the window, select “System Protection”. In the dialog box that opens, click “Create”, enter the name of the recovery point and click OK. When the process completes successfully, click “Close”.
To get into the registry, open the Start menu, enter search bar regedit command and press Enter.
Find the HKEY_CURRENT_USER branch and open the Software section.
Find out-of-date information about uninstalled programs and remove them.
Open the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE section and go to Software, and then repeat step 4.
Confirm the changes and restart your PC.

This instruction will be useful primarily for users wondering how to clean the registry of viruses - after all, most often malware cannot be completely removed from the system in the usual ways. In case viral infection perform all operations from safe mode, otherwise you are unlikely to be able to destroy all the records left malware. By the way, pay special attention to the startup sections - most often viruses are written there in order to be able to reintroduce themselves into the system again and again when it is rebooted.

The described instructions will help you improve system performance, remove traces of viral activity and avoid errors. However, don't forget to make backups modified files to avoid an unplanned system reinstallation.

Registry ( Windows Registry) is a database containing information and settings of hardware and software, as well as user accounts. Most changes made to the operating system are reflected in the registry. Installed a new game, changed system policy or file associations - everything will be recorded in the Windows Registry.

Over time, the database swells with unnecessary marks, and the computer begins to slow down. To eliminate this drawback, it is enough to know how to clean the registry. This procedure can be performed either manually or using special cleaning utilities.

How to clean the registry

Cleaner programs

Working with Windows Registry is a delicate procedure that requires the user to be careful and understand what he is doing. Therefore, if you have never made changes to the Windows database before, it is better to use special programs. I chose CCleaner for myself because this utility has many useful functions, including a fairly deep registry cleaning.

Using this cleaner, you can rid your computer of , removing unnecessary data. But for now we will only consider the automatic database cleaning function.

Once the scan is complete, a report will appear showing the errors found. CCleaner detected incorrect file extensions, application path errors, and outdated partitions for me. Path errors and stale sections are consequences of uninstalled programs, so you may have a lot of these marks.

Detected errors must be eliminated - this will slightly increase system performance. Click "Fix". The utility will offer to make backup copies of the changes made. Make a backup just in case: if Windows starts to become unstable, roll back the changes by downloading a backup copy.

Corrections can be made one at a time, checking each error found, or in a batch at once. I click “Correct Selected” to erase all unnecessary values in the Windows database.

Once the fix is complete, a message will appear stating that no problems were found. If you have never cleaned your computer before, you will feel that the system works faster, freed from excess load.

CCleaner is not the only computer cleaning utility. To optimize performance, you can use utilities such as RegCleaner, Wise Registry Cleaner or paid package AVG PC TuneUp for PC and mobile devices.

Manual cleaning

Unfortunately, utilities do not detect all extra marks, so complete cleaning possible only in manual mode. This is a task for experienced users, but even they are strongly advised to make a backup copy before editing.

The backup has been created, now you can start deleting unnecessary entries. The main thing is not to erase anything important: the consequences can be dire, even to the point that the system will stop booting. Therefore, follow the instructions carefully.

On the left side of the editor window, open the “HKEY_CURRENT_USER” section. Find the “Software” subsection inside – records about installed programs Oh.

Sections can be designated both by the name of the application and by the name of the developer company (for example, the “Alawar” directory, within which there are several subsections with different games). I deleted the Alawar games from my computer a long time ago, but the recordings remained. To remove them, you need to select the section and press the Delete key. You will be asked if I really want to delete the section with all subsections. They take up space and overload the memory, so I click “Yes”.

Using this principle, the entire HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software branch is cleared. Records about programs can be found using the built-in search, which is called by the combination Ctrl+F. If you found information about an application that you uninstalled a long time ago, delete it so as not to take up space.

You can look at it in the task manager (on Windows 10) or in the “System Configuration” window (Win + R – msconfig). But here you can only disable autorun of the application, and in CCleaner there is an option complete removal notes about the program.

The Windows Registry is a hierarchically built operating system database that contains settings and other information, related to work the system itself, user profiles, third-party software, as well as computer hardware. This data is directly contained in registry keys– string parameters with specific values. Keys are cataloged in their subfolders, which in turn are included in parent folders, subsections and sections.

Cluttering an important Windows work area

The more data contained in the registry, the correspondingly wider the search area. And the more time the operating system needs for access to the required data. This has a negative impact on productivity. Database expansion system registry promotes work dynamics with a computer in terms of experiments with third-party software. When installing programs, they register their keys in the registry, which are stored there even after these programs are removed from the system. Uninstalled software keys become invalid over time accumulate And litter such an important Windows work area.

The way out of the situation is periodic cleaning. But it is important to understand that this kind of optimization operation will not globally solve the problems of low-power computers, in particular, with slow HDDs on board.

Cleaning can be done by manual removal each of the unnecessary keys, or staff editor Windows Regedit.exe, or using special third party programs. The latter usually provide the possibility automatic search non-working keys – an option suitable for most users.

Regseeker utility

A registry cleaner is included in the free, portable utility Regseeker. Let's launch program, switch to the section " Registry" Before further actions you need to check the option " Backupbefore deletion", this creation backup copy Windows registry. Then click " Clean the Registry».

The program window will appear scan results– keys, defined by the program as non-working people. A number of operations are available in the context menu for each key, in particular:

For removal all found keys, click “ Select all».

Confirm deletion.

Give the backup a name.

That's all. If problems arise with the system after this, the previous state can be restore from a backup. In the same section " Registry» click « Backups».

Click on the backup copy and click at the bottom “ Restore».

CCleaner program

Free CCleaner - the most popular in the world Windows cleaner– contains functionality similar to that discussed above. In the program window, switch to the section “ Registry" and click " Troubleshooting».

When you press the button Correct Selected» CCleaner will prompt you to create a backup. Click " Yes" and indicate the storage location of the backup file on the disk.

Next we can delete found keys - either one by one using the " To correct", or all together in one click with the " Correct marked».

If Windows malfunctions after this, follow the path of saving a backup copy in System Explorer, launch file double click and confirm recovery.

Defragmentation

Defragmentation is a separate system-optimizing function that can be part of disk cleaners or disk defragmenters. What is its essence? When we talk about defragmenting the registry, we mean merging fragments its files – Default, Software, System files located on drive C in the “Windows” directory. This not optimization the data structures within it, as many believe. And therefore there is simply no point in such an operation. First, Windows is always appeals to the registry data, and its files on the disk will, accordingly, also be permanently fragment. Secondly, the process HDD defragmentation included in the number of automatic operations Windows maintenance 7, 8.1 and 10.

Important: It is impossible to allow defragmentation of either the disk as a whole or its individual files in relation to SSD- drives. And Windows knows this very well. These devices have a different data storage mechanism than HDDs: their speed when reading does not depend from a continuous sequence of data clusters. On the contrary, overwriting data during defragmentation will lead to a reduction in SSD resource.

How to remove a program from the registry

To remove a separately selected program from the registry, i.e. destroy all her keys, it is necessary run staff editor Regedit.exe.

The principle of restoring the registry from a backup is the same as in the case of CCleaner.

How to prevent clutter in an important Windows work area

What's better than cleaning something? prevent its clutter. Avoid clogging the system registry with keys remote programs possible if used for uninstallation special software — uninstallers with cleaning up the residue. Among them - Uninstall programs Tool, Soft Organizer, Revo Uninstaller.

The performance of your computer depends on the Windows registry, a database that contains information about the system configuration, as well as parameters of installed programs. Long work leads to the accumulation of so-called “garbage”: links to shortcuts remote applications, incorrect file extensions, and so on.

There are two options for how to clean the registry in Windows 7/8/10. If you advanced user computer, then you can clean it manually. However, if you don’t have time to get acquainted with all the registry settings, there are many on the Internet free programs. These applications are capable of automatically finding and fixing errors, removing extra files and records.

Special programs

Software cleaning saves the user time. Also special applications help eliminate the occurrence of errors in the registry due to user incompetence.

The article below talks about special utilities, which have proven themselves as best solutions when cleaning the registry.

1. CCleaner

This program has many functions, including fixing problems in the registry. The popularity of the application is due to the fact that it is distributed free of charge and is excellent for non-commercial use.

The developers took care of unforeseen situations that may arise during the work process. Therefore, before starting the cleaning process, the program suggests creating a restore point for the entire system. The presence of constant monitoring of the system allows you to correct errors that occur automatically.

Let's look at the sequence of steps to clean the registry in Windows 7 using the CCleaner utility.

Download CCleaner from the official website and then install it.
Launch the application using the appropriate shortcut on your desktop.
Go to the tab "Registry".
Select the necessary items where errors will be searched (by default, all checkboxes are selected).
Start searching for errors by clicking the appropriate button.
Click "To correct…" to remove invalid keys.
Make a backup copy to prevent unexpected errors from occurring.
Modify the registry by deleting the values and keys suggested by the program.

2. Reg Organizer

Reg Organizer is a feature-rich solution for fixing performance issues Windows systems. The program offers both manual and automatic method cleaning.

A license to use all available features costs $10. Free version The program only finds, but does not fix registry errors. Below is an algorithm for changing the registry.

Open full version software.
Select an item "Cleaning the registry ».
Click the button "Begin" in the window that appears if you are not sure which individual sections you should check.
Wait until the system scan is completed, after which you will be presented with a list of all found problems.
Click the button "To correct", if you are ready to begin the process.

3.Windows Cleaner

The program is free, well suited as alternative option For automatic cleaning registry from system garbage. It is also possible to configure system startup and create backup recovery points. The application only works on OS Windows family.

Follow these steps to resolve issues:

Open the program after installing it on your computer.
Go to the tab "Registry" in the window "Cleaning".
Select the required items to check from the list.
Perform analysis by clicking "Analysis" .
Click the button "Cleaning" to get rid of the problems found.

Manually

If you're ready to take charge and try the cleanup yourself, here's a list of steps to follow.

Launch the built-in system registry editor. To do this, open a window "Run" in the menu "Start".
Enter "regedit" in the window that appears, and press “Enter” or the button "OK".
Make a backup before you start making changes. To do this, go to the “Export” menu in the tab "File". Specify that you want to save the entire registry. Select the location where the exported file will be located and click the button "Save".
Go to the “for all users” section, then the entries could remain in the Local Machine section, otherwise - in the Current User section.
Close the editor after completing all necessary actions.

Important! Manual cleaning should only be carried out when you are fully confident in your competence and knowledge in this area.

You can clean the registry on Windows 10 manually and automatic mode. In this section we will talk about how to clean the registry without resorting to using third party applications, but using only a program built into the operating system. And how to clean the registry using CCleaner. The material is also suitable for Windows 7 and 8.1

Removing unnecessary entries from the registry manually

Before you delete entries from the registry, you need to determine which ones. Typically, the process of adding entries to the registry and deleting them from there takes place without user intervention. Therefore, it can be difficult to understand the structure of the registry and decide which entries are needed and which are simply taking up space in the registry.

The following example will show you how to find some unnecessary registry entries and how to remove them. This algorithm relevant for any operating system of the Windows family. So, if you deleted an application from your computer, you can check whether it left “traces” in the registry. And if left, delete them.

Launch Registry Editor (See article: How to open the Windows Registry)
Execute the menu commands Edit >> Find or press the key combination Ctrl+F.
In the field Find Enter the name of the uninstalled program or one of the words included in the name. In our example this word visipics
Click the button Find next.
After some time, if the word we need is found, the search will be paused, and the found value will be highlighted.
This value can most likely be removed. To do this, use context menu: Right-click on it and select Delete.
To continue the search, press the F3 key on your keyboard or use the application menu by sequentially selecting items in it Edit>>Find>>Next.
Remove all found references to the application in the registry.

This way you will get rid of the traces that the uninstalled application left on your computer.

How to clean the registry using the program

The Windows Registry on your computer is a database that stores all the configuration information and hardware settings for your computer software to run correctly. Unfortunately, over a period of time, this database may become bloated due to backup files. The Windows Registry stores outdated system configuration information, including files that you have deleted. Click the button for free download CCleaner from the official website.

WITH CCleaner program you can clean Windows registry 10, 8.1, 7 making the computer work more efficiently. CCleaner's registry cleaner option allows you to scan and remove redundant information and improve the functionality and speed of your system.

Since the Windows Registry is a critical system database, CCleaner will prompt you to save a registry backup file as a precaution. If a problem occurs, you can always restore the Windows 10, 8.1, 7 registry original condition using a backup file.