Functions of a Registry Cleaner

Before thoroughly exploring the capabilities and uses of a registry cleaner, it would be wise to take some time to understand the dynamics of the registry itself. It is found specifically within the Microsoft Windows operating system; for Linux and Mac users, this information does not apply. Go ahead and open up the Windows Registry and let's have a look around. To do this, from the "Start" menu choose the "Run..." dialogue. In the text input box, type "regedit" and a new window containing the registry editor interface will appear. The layout may seem strange if this is your first time running the program, but in fact the format is fairly simple. There are two main data types that the user must deal with, called "keys" and "values." Keys may be thought of as folders for all intents and purposes, as their function is identical. There may be keys nested within keys in a recursive fashion, creating a branching hierarchy as in file directory. The type of data which is centrally stored in the registry is a large array of saved settings or program configurations. These configuration files can be linked to internal OS functions as well as external applications. Each user has a division between their registry entries, allowing for personal profiles which may be automatically loaded and accessed.

Over the life of a Windows computer, the average user will install and temporarily try-out a large number of applications, nearly all of which will alter the registry somehow. Many programs after being uninstalled leave these settings keys and values behind, which can turn into a sort of digital mess after a while. Not only is the registry left disorganized, but these leftover configuration files can actually have a tangible effect on the performance of the computer on occasion. Not all third-party programs come with a bundled "uninstaller," and the generic Microsoft Windows program must be used to perform that task. Often it's not as thorough as the uninstallers made by the software companies and configuration files are likely to be left behind. Registry cleaners make quick work of this leftover information, reducing or eliminating redundancy.

Some may wish to use a registry cleaner simply for the purpose of organizing their registry's layout, making it more readable and easy to navigate. The program mentioned before which comes pre-installed within the Windows OS, "regedit," is extremely utilitarian and contains quite a limited set of abilities. The interface may seem clumsy to some, and a registry cleaner is also useful for these people as it generally provides a more intuitive interface. Often there will be added capabilities as well, such as tailored search functions and sorting tools which can make locating a particular value entry a less laborious task.

Due to a change in the way registry information is stored in the more modern versions of Microsoft Windows (from version NT onward), the removal of excess, unused, and redundant data has a noticeably reduced effect on the boot time of a given computer. The Windows '95, '98, ME, and related iterations receive a more significant impact. Even if optimizing the start-up time of your computer isn't your goal, the advancements in interface intuitiveness and enhancements in functionality over the built-in registry editor make obtaining a third-party registry cleaner worth your consideration. Anyone who periodically spends any amount of time performing maintenance on their computer will benefit from such software.

Since the function of the registry is to store settings for various programs, when using a registry cleaner to remove a specific program's configuration data think about something; before taking action it is a good idea to ask yourself if you may potentially use the program again in the future. Even though a program may have been removed, there may come a time down the road when you reinstall and find yourself having to reconfigure the whole thing. Computer gamers may be inconvenienced the worst, as there can be a huge number of keyboard commands which may need reassigning. This is not usually an issue, but it is worth thinking about as it may prevent an inconvenience from occurring in the future.