[Step-by-Step Guide] How to Clean Registry on Windows 10/11 without Any System Risks

Cleaning the registry might sound intimidating, but it’s an essential task to ensure your computer runs smoothly. Since it’s a vital database that powers your operating system and applications, the Windows registry can become messy over time. And that can cause various errors. 

However, if you know how to clean the registry the right way, you can prevent these issues. In this article, I’ll show you the safest methods to clean your registry based on my 20+ years of using Windows, tips from reliable forums we’ve gathered, and insights from our experiece as a company that developed the Registry Cleaner software. 

Let’s begin.

So What Does It Actually Mean to “Clean the Registry”?

When we say “clean the registry,” we simply mean removing entries that are corrupted or unnecessary from the Windows registry with the aim of improving the computer’s performance and stability.

But let’s go a bit further. The Windows registry, as I said at the beginning, is a data bank that stores important settings and options for the operating system and apps you’ve installed. Think of it as a digital storage room where Windows keeps track of everything it needs to know about your computer and its software.

Over time, this storage room can get “dirty” with old, invalid, or not-important entries, which may come from: 

• Programs you’ve deleted. 
• Changes in settings. 
• Malicious software. 

When this happens, it can cause errors or crashes and even slow down your computer. So, cleaning the registry involves at least three steps:

Step 1: Get rid of unneeded entries 

You can clean up your registry by removing entries you don’t need, either by using Windows’ built-in tools, like the Registry Editor, or reputable third-party registry cleaning tools, like CCleaner or Auslogics Registry Cleaner. Whatever method you use, the end goal is to leave only the essential entries. 

Step 2: Fixing errors with the registry 

During the cleaning process, registry cleaners can detect and repair corrupted entries that might be causing problems. The solutions or methods we’ve recommended in this guide can also detect and repair such entries. 

Step 3: Organize the registry 

Windows doesn’t have a built-in tool specifically for organizing and compressing the registry. So, your best bet is third-party applications. Some registry cleaning tools can reorganize and compress the registry to make it faster to find what it needs, which can speed up your computer.

Important Precautions to Take Before Cleaning the Registry

Before you clean the computer registry, you need to take steps to protect your system. Since the registry is a critical database that controls many aspects of how your computer works, any mistakes could lead to system instability or various hard drive errors. 

Follow the steps below:

Tip 1: Don’t delete entries if you don’t know what they do

The registry contains thousands of entries, and many of these are vital for Windows and applications to function correctly. So if you modify or delete them, it may lead to serious issues. Here are some guidelines we recommend before editing the registry:

1. Research the entries before deleting. Use trusted online sources or forums like Ask a Question to find info or post any question and deeply understand what an entry does. 
2. Stick to known problematic keys. If you’re not an expert, only clean entries that reputable tools or sources have flagged. Don’t try to guess; if you don’t know anything about an entry or are not sure, leave it alone. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
3. Use registry cleaners with caution. For example, some tools like CCleaner or Auslogics Registry Cleaner may flag a specific registry key linked to an app you recently uninstalled because it can cause errors if left behind. However, always use them with a full backup in place. Plus, choose registry cleaners with a solid reputation and that have built-in safety checkers. 

  Double-check everything and, if possible, keep a log of any changes you make for troubleshooting purposes.

Tip 2: Create a system restore point

A system restore point acts as a safety net. It not only backs up the registry but also other critical system files and settings. If anything goes wrong that affects the entire system, you can roll back to its previous state. Here’s how to do it:

• Search for create a restore point in the Start menu and hit Enter.

• Go to the System Protection tab and select your system drive (it’s usually labeled C:) and make sure the protection is enabled. Then, click on Create. 

• Type a description or name to help you identify that specific restore point, like Before Registry Cleanup. Finally, click Create again to begin the process. 

• Windows will alert you when the restore point is created. 

Tip 3: Create a registry backup

Unlike a system restore point, this backup specifically targets the registry, which makes it a more focused safety measure. Here’s how it’s done:

• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box and type regedit. Then, press Enter.   

• Next, select the hives, keys, or subkeys you want to backup. However, since we’re cleaning the entire Windows registry, select Computer. 

• Then, click on File and select Export. 

• Use a descriptive name you can remember, such as Full_Registry_Backup_Date. Save the file to a safe location, like your external drive or cloud storage. 
• Make sure Export range is set to All to ensure a complete backup of everything. Click Save to complete the process. 

If something goes wrong, just double-click on the .reg file to restore the backup. You can also open the Registry Editor, click File, and select Import.

How to Clean the Registry: Comparison of Listed Methods:

How to Clean the Registry in Windows 10/11: Basic Solutions

There are many ways to clean your registry—some are less technical and more user-friendly, like using third-party tools, and some are risky, like deleting entries manually. In this section, I’ll cover the easy-to-use methods that are suitable for beginners.

Method 1: Use reliable third-party registry cleaners

If you’re not an expert or don’t know much about cleaning the registry, the best route is to use third-party tools because it’s safer and less time-consuming. Of course, it’s only safe if you choose the right registry cleaner.

Here’s a table comparison between popular registry cleaners, including their pros and cons.

Let’s find out how to clean the registry using one of these registry cleaners, Auslogics Registry Cleaner: 

• Download and install Auslogics Registry Cleaner from the official website. 
• Launch the program and click Scan Now. By default, the program selects areas to scan. But you check the areas you want. 

• After the scan, click on Resolve. Make sure the box next to Back Up Changes is ticked to ensure everything is backed up. 

Method 2: Use Windows Disk Cleanup to clean the registry

Windows Disk Cleanup isn’t a dedicated registry cleaner, but it’s one of the safest methods if you’re not familiar with the Registry Editor. It can remove unnecessary files that indirectly contribute to a bloated registry. It’s a good practice to pair it with other methods we’ve discussed.

• Go to the Windows search field, type Disk Cleanup, and hit Enter. 

• Choose your system drive (usually C:) if you have multiple drives connected to your PC and click OK. 
• Select the files you want to delete, like Temporary Internet Files and Recycle Bin. Select Clean up system files for a deeper cleanup and click OK. 

Method 3: Use the DISM tool to clean the registry

The DISM tool is another easy and safe method if you don’t want to use the Registry Editor. This tool can help repair system files and improve the overall health of your computer, which can indirectly clean the computer registry.

For example, when the DISM tool fixes corrupted or missing system files, it can help resolve registry-related issues since the registry also relies on these files. Here’s how to use the DISM tool: 

• Run the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. 

• Type the following commands one at a time and press Enter after each one is complete: 

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• Allow the process to complete its scan and repair process.

How to Clean the Registry in Windows 10/11: Advanced Solutions for Expert Users

If you’re comfortable with tweaking the Registry Editor, you can implement the steps we’ve covered in this section. Keep in mind that this method can be dangerous if you’re not familiar with what you’re doing. In fact, you still need to be careful even if you know your way around. Proceed with caution.

Step 1: Clean up deleted apps or software entries

When you uninstall an app or a program, sometimes bits and pieces of it are left behind in the registry. Cleaning up these leftover entries helps keep your system organized and running smoothly.

Here’s how to do it: 

• Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

• Let’s say you want to delete outdated entries or software you’ve uninstalled. In that case, navigate to this path:
  
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

• Search for the subkeys that correspond to the app you uninstalled and delete it.

• Sometimes, you may have to repeat the process for other hives:
  
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
   
• Search these areas to ensure all entries for the deleted app are removed. 

Step 2: Delete invalid shared DLLs

Shared dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) are files that contain data, code, and resources that multiple programs can use at the same time. It helps these programs to run smoothly.

For example, a DLL file like User32.dll contains instructions on how to display windows and buttons on your screen. So instead of each program having its own separate copy of these instructions, they all share the same DLL file to save space and improve efficiency.

However, sometimes invalid or leftover DLLs can cause issues, like app crashes. Here’s how to clean invalid DLL files using the Registry Editor:

• Open the Registry Editor. 

• Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive and go to the location:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs
• You’ll find numerous entries with paths and corresponding DWORD values. Check each entry to see the file path it points to. The name of each entry is the path of the DLL file. 

• To verify if it’s valid or not, copy the path of the entry, open File Explorer, and paste it into the address bar and see if it leads to an existing file. 

•  If it doesn’t, it’s invalid.

• You can correct the path of these entries only if you know how to do it. If you don’t, delete it. 

As you may have noticed, this method can be risky and might mess up your computer if you’re not careful. The safest bet is to use trusted third-party tools like Auslogics Registry Cleaner to automatically find and fix invalid DLLs. You won’t have to worry about deleting something important.

Step 3: Remove startup items in the registry

Startup items are programs that run automatically whenever you turn on your PC. These items can become invalid because of:

• Malware leaving corrupted entries behind. 
• Software updates that change file locations or names.
• Uninstalled programs that leave behind registry entries. 

Here’s how to clean startup items: 

• Go to the following locations one at a time and check the entry paths to see if they’re valid (you can use the File Explorer method discussed in the previous method).

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

• After checking all of them, delete the entries that aren’t valid. 

Auslogics Registry Cleaner vs. the Registry Editor: Which Is Better to Clean Your Windows Registry?

Why Should You Clean the Registry on Windows 10/11?

• Improve your system performance. Over time, the Windows registry accumulates invalid or outdated entries, and that can slow down the PC performance. Cleaning the registry removes unnecessary keys that may be causing delays in processing requests. 
• Fix errors and system crashes. Corrupted registry entries can cause applications to crash or fail to open, as well as lead to other hard drive errors. That’s why it’s crucial to learn how to clean your registry—it helps remove broken links, invalid keys, and outdated references before they become corrupted.
• Optimize startup times. Many software programs tend to add unnecessary entries in the startup sequence. And that can increase the boot time. When you clean the registry, it removes these startup entries so that the system will have fewer background processes to work with.
• Free up system resources. Unneeded registry entries consume lots of system resources, including RAM usage and processing power. Regular cleaning can get you more space to help your PC focus on tasks that truly matter.
• Fix application issues. Sometimes, the programs you delete leave residual registry entries that conflict with new software installations. With registry cleanup, you can eliminate these conflicts.

When and When Not to Clean Your Windows Registry

Below are simplified guidelines to determine when to clean your computer registry and when it’s not necessary:

Steps to Take to Avoid Registry Clutter in the Future

Maintaining a clean registry is an ongoing process. You can minimize registry clutter by following the best practices below:

• Uninstall programs completely. When you delete apps and programs, they usually leave behind leftover files and registry entries. Many people make the mistake of just deleting the program files without realizing this doesn’t fully remove the software. That’s why it’s important to uninstall applications and programs the right way to completely remove leftover registry entries. 
• Only use reliable registry cleaner software. It’s much safer to use registry cleaning tools like Auslogics Registry Cleaner or CCleaner. Don’t use suspicious software to reduce the risk of introducing harmful changes to your registry. 
• Run regular maintenance scans. You can run periodic scans using registry cleaners so that you don’t have to worry yourself with it. However, keep in mind that not all registry cleaners have this feature. In that case, you can use Windows’ in-built Task Scheduler tool to automate the process.
• Make sure your system is updated. Regularly install Windows updates and patches. Keeping your operating system up-to-date ensures that registry entries are optimized and reduces the likelihood of conflicts or errors.

Clean Your Registry for Better Performance

If you carefully follow our guide and instructions on how to clean the registry, whether on Windows 10 or 11, you should see an improvement on your computer.

Normally, you shouldn’t have to worry about cleaning your Windows registry, especially for modern PCs, because they can handle many bad entries without causing any issues. But, in some cases, they do. 

Always start with the methods that don’t involve using the Registry Editor to be on the safe side. But regardless of the methods you use, always create a backup first. 

Is there anything we left out? Let us know in the comments below!

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