Q. What is my Windows Registry?

You can think of your Windows registry file as a big list of all of the different applications, programs and other data that is stored on your computer. The registry keeps track of all of these in one location. When a file or program is accessed, the computer uses the registry as kind of a map to find what it is looking for. For those who are not used to getting under the hood of their computers, the registry file can be very intimidating. It is best to leave this file alone if you do not have experience in modifying it.

Q. Why is it important to clean my registry?

When you start to notice that your computer is taking a long time to process simple information, or if it seems to take forever to turn on, this is a sign that your registry file has been corrupted or is simply so full of data that it takes your computer too long to go through everything. If you uninstall a program incorrectly, or if spyware has managed to find its way on to your computer, some of the registry may become corrupted. By cleaning your registry on a regular basis you can significantly improve your computer’s processing times.

Q. How can I clean my registry?

If you are experienced and have handled a registry file in the past, you can open the file and begin searching for either known entries that spyware makes, or you can search it for programs that are no longer installed on your computer. It’s actually much easier to download a registry cleaner and have it do all of this for you. In fact, if you are a novice, or you are simply too scared to mess with the registry file, this software is your best solution.

Anytime that you notice a slow down in processing times or if your computer is just not acting right, you may want to open your registry cleaner and see what it finds. This can be done periodically as a maintenance effort or you can simply run it if you notice any issues cropping up. If you need help finding a good registry cleaner, Download.com has many that they have reviewed. As a bonus, they also check all the files they offer for spyware.

Q. How do I avoid having this same problem happen again?

Whenever you need to uninstall something from your computer, it’s important to make sure that you are doing this properly. Take the time to open the Add/Remove Programs section in your computer’s control panel and select the appropriate software that you want to remove. By taking this step, you can ensure that all of the program will be removed from your registry and you are reducing the chances of having any corrupted lines in there that will slow down your computer’s performance.

You should also keep an anti-spyware program running on your computer as well as anti-virus software to minimize your risks of infection.