Fixing the Registry with Repair Utilities

The Windows registry can’t be repaired manually, so you’ll need specialized software for the job. But how do these tools actually work? And are they safe?

Registry cleaners usually employ a three-step process for repairing registry errors:

• Backup the current registry
• Scan the registry for errors
• Repair any errors found by the scan process

Backing up the Registry

Although you could backup your registry manually (by opening RegEdit and selecting File->Export from the menu), most registry tools include a mechanism for backing up the registry. This isn’t necessarily done automatically before the repairing process, so be sure that the registry has been backed up before you proceed. In case the repair goes wrong somehow, you will be able to revert to a backup copy of your registry.

Scanning the Registry

The scan process identifies any errors the registry might have. This includes such things as bad links to files, startup items, broken entries for system components etc. This process can take anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the size of your registry and the speed of your computer. After the scan is done, you will be presented with an overview of which errors the registry cleaner found and, usually, the option the exclude one or more registry keys from the repair process. This could be important in case the scan falsely identified a registry key you happen to know is perfectly OK.

Repairing the Registry

After selecting what to repair, the actual repair process can finally start. The registry tool now starts applying predefined actions to the registry keys it has identified as broken during the scan process. Key after key is dealt with until all keys have been repaired. The actual repair of a key can result in the key simply being deleted or a broken reference being corrected. The registry tool usually knows what to do with any kind of key.

After the repair process is finished, you will usually get a report that will show you how well the repair process went. It’s usually a good idea to restart your computer and then check if the errors that prompted you to repair your registry persist.

Three Great Registry Cleaners

There are lots of good registry cleaners available. I’d like to point you to three tools I think are among the better ones.

Registry Mechanic

PC Tools Registry Mechanic offers a multitude of features that are easily accessible through its very easy-to-use interface. The scan and repair process is straightforward and the repair results rank among the best. What makes Registry Mechanic unique is that it goes way beyond registry repair. It lets you optimize your system, compact the registry, optimize and tune Windows services and monitor the registry for changes. These features make Registry Mechanic an all-in-one system optimization tool.

Advanced Registry Optimizer

Advanced Registry Optimizer from Sammsoft features similar but not quite as extensive features as Registry Mechanic. The main features are of course all there: backup and restore, optimization and selection of registry sections to scan/repair. You can also define an exclusion list and schedule regular scanning of the registry. The interface is very easy to use and scan and repair performance are good.

RegCure

RegCure is the most basic of the three registry repair utilities listed here. Don’t be mistaken, it does its job well, but there are no “bells and whistles” like registry compacting or general system optimization. But options such as an ignore list and a schedule for regular maintenance are available. RegCure is best if you’re looking for a “plain vanilla” tool without any extras.