Registry Cleaner

The Registry Database in Windows keeps track of all the software and hardware installed on the computer and stores information about the particularities of the components. After installing and uninstalling and even configuration changes in the registered programs, the Windows Registry can become corrupted or just so messed up that the computer literally gets confused and starts making mistakes.

Windows provides a very useful tool for the maintenance work on the registry. Because the registry database is constantly in use, it is only possible to use this tool in ms dos mode.

Click on Start then on Shut down , click on the option Start in MS DOS mode and click on OK.

Detailed information on running Scanreg is available on the Microsoft site.  The registry scanner automatically runs at each startup.

When the prompt C:\Windows> appears type in scanreg /fix. After a short delay a message window will appear, informing you that the registry has been successfully repaired. Press the Enter key to acknowledge. When the prompt C:\Windows> appears again, type in scanreg /opt. After a short delay, the prompt C:\Windows> appears again.  To get back into Windows, type exit at the prompt.

Microsoft also has a registry cleaner, it is however, a utility that is not on the Windows CD. You can download it from here. Detailed instructions on usage are available at the Microsoft Site. Click here to view them.