If you’re interested in learning how to clean your Windows XP registry, then chances are you’ve experienced poor PC performance.
Or worse, your PC is freezing way too much and you’re all too
familiar with the Blue Screen of Death (BOS).
The Windows XP registry is a critical component to your PC. After all, it’s a giant system file your computer uses every time it turns on and runs a program. And every time you install or uninstall a program, you’re affecting the registry.
The more cluttered a registry is, the more of your PC’s resources you consume by having to chase down old or no-longer useful registry entries.
That’s why a clean Windows XP registry can improve system performance.
If you’re not comfortable with PC’s and Windows XP, then you should let a program like RegEasy clean out the registry for you.
But if you’re confident in your techie abilities, then you can do it yourself.
Here’s how to clean the Windows XP registry in just 6 simple-to-do steps:
1. Make sure you’re logged on as the system administrator of your PC. If not, Windows XP won’t allow you to access the registry. If it’s your own personal computer, chances are you won’t run into this problem.
2. Go to your start menu, located on the bottom left corner of your screen and click it once. Then click ‘run’.
3. Now, just type in ‘regedit’ into the text box and hit enter.
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4. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have access to different sections of the Windows XP registry. For example, you’ll see some like HKEY_USERS, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
5. From here, it’s a matter of picking the section you want to go into and exploring the directories within it. Simply do this by clicking on the plus (+) sign, to reveal all the directories.
6. From here, it’s up to you. Go ahead and delete any entries you feel are no longer valid, such as paths to a mp3 file that’s no longer there, for example, or other entries that are not necessary for Windows XP to function. Also, you may consider deleting entries put there by programs that run on startup. These can cause slow system boot time and by deleting these entries you can shave a few seconds of the time it takes your system to turn on and be ready to roll.
There you have it. That’s how you can go about cleaning the Windows XP registry all by yourself.
A word of caution though. If you’re going to do this on your own, please make sure to back up all your important data. In fact, go as far as to make a recovery boot disk before you start messing around with the registry.
Why?
Because if you accidentally delete an entry you shouldn’t have, it could potentially bring your entire system to a screeching halt! The end result being you are let worse off than before.
So don’t let this happen. Also, consider backing up the registry as well, as an extra precaution. You can find programs for free on the Internet that will do this for you.
And, finally… if you feel that attempting to clean Windows XP registry on your own is too much – consider getting a registry cleaner that’ll do it safely and quickly.
To faster, zippier PC performance,
Eddie T.
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Make Windows XP Fast
Again!
This is without a doubt, the quickest, easiest way to clean your Windows XP Registry. It’s fast, easy — and gets the job done. Best of all, it’s GUARANTEED to work. |