3 Ways to Safely Clean Registry on Windows 10 and 11

The Windows registry is not something you would tickle every day. When Windows fails to function properly, you need to clean up the registry, but dumping the wrong file during that process may cause the system to crash or become corrupt. So, in this article, we will show you three ways to safely clean registry on Windows 10 and 11.

Clean Registry on Windows 11

Let us begin by defining what a Windows registry is. In essence, it is a complex database with information about the hardware and software on your computer. These entries can potentially land you in big trouble if not cleaned properly. Let’s dig in to understand more.

What Causes Registry Errors on Windows

There are several reasons why registry errors may occur. In most cases, errors are caused by the installation or uninstallation of the software. It often creates new entries in the registry when the software is installed. But when software is uninstalled, these entries aren’t always removed. This causes errors.

The buildup of junk files and invalid entries over time is another common cause of registry errors. These can be caused by a variety of things, such as improperly closing programs, installing/uninstalling programs without using the proper tools, etc.

Over time, as more and more entries are added to the registry, it can become bloated and inefficient. This can result in registry errors and may slow down the performance of your computer. So, 

Create a Backup of Registry Files

As a precaution, before proceeding with registry cleanup, you should take a backup of the registry. You can use this backup to restore the registry to its original state if something goes wrong.

Step 1: Press ‘Windows Key + R’ and type the following command to open Registry Editor.

Regedit
type the following command to open Registry Editor

Step 2: Next, click on Yes to the prompt.

Open Registry Prompt

Step 3: Go to the File menu and select Export from the drop-down.

Select all of your export ranges to back up the entire registry. However, if you are changing a specific branch, you can make a backup for that.

select Export from the drop-down

Step 4: Select the location and name of the file and click on Save.

Select the location and name of the file

Sometimes when importing, you may see a registry editor cannot import file error, and one of the common reasons is the file’s location. So, we highly recommend storing this backup file on a flash drive or any external hard drive for safety.

Once done, let’s get to cleaning the Windows registry. 

How to Clean Windows Registry Manually

Let’s discuss different ways to clean the registry on Windows 10 and 11. There are a lot of free registry cleaners but Windows also has its own built-in registry cleaners that you can use.

Note: All the methods mentioned below are the same for Windows 10 and 11.

1. Using Disk Cleanup

This tool is not specific to cleaning up registry files; however, it is a handy tool to clean up the leftover files from the registry and, by far, the easiest way to do so.

Step 1: Press the Windows key, type Disk Cleanup, and press Enter.

ype Disk Cleanup

Step 2: In the prompt ‘Select the drive you want to clean up,’ select the drive where Windows OS (C:) is installed and click on OK.

select the drive where Windows OS (C)

The tool automatically calculates how much space can be freed on the selected drive.

At times, you may find yourself stuck in the calculating window. A simple cancel and restarting would work; if not, check out different ways to sort out the issue.

Step 3: Now, click on ‘Clean up system files,’ select necessary folders, and press OK.

You can checkmark all the options; just ensure that you don’t have anything in the Recycle Bin that you may want.

2. Use DISM to Clean Registry Files

DCIM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is another tool/command in Windows that can fix updates and system errors. It can also fix broken registry entries. Here’s how:

Step 1: Press the Windows key, type Command Prompt, and click on ‘Run as administrator.’

type Command Prompt

Step 2: Now, type the following command in Command Prompt.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

type the following command in the Command Prompt

That’s it. The scanner will find and clean all the errors and sort them on its own. Mind you, not all the errors will pertain to the registry, but with this, you can fix issues you didn’t even know existed.

3. Clean Windows Registry using Third-Party Tools: CCleaner

If you’re a Windows user, you have probably already come across CCleaner, a popular Windows PC cleaner software. This freemium software does a bit of everything, from helping clear out cookies to dumping temporary files (also including registry files).

Note: If you are directly jumping on to this method, we recommend taking a backup of your registry, which we mentioned at the start of this article.

Step 1: Download and install CCleaner for free using the link below, and run it.

Download CCleaner

Step 2: Click on Start.

Click on Start

Step 3: Go to Space.

go to Space

Step 4: Check all the boxes (Recycle bin, Temporary Application Files, and Temporary System Files) and click on ‘Back to Overview.’

Check all the boxes

Step 5: Now, click on the ‘Make it better’ button.

click on 'Make it better' button

There you go. CCleaner will clean up your temporary files as well as your registry files. This software offers many more features, which you can explore on your own or check out our guide.

FAQs on Windows Registry Cleaner

1. Is there a Microsoft registry cleaner?

No, as Microsoft does not support the use of registry cleaners.

2. Should I defrag my registry?

Yes, as a fragmented registry directly impacts the performance of your computer and slows it down.

3. How often should I clean the registry?

Cleaning the registry is essential to prevent your system from crashing or slowing down. For optimal performance, we recommend cleaning your Windows Registry every three days.

Get Rid of Registry Files Quick

Registry files play a role in running Windows properly, but they are also responsible for irregularities and system crashes. Having learned how to safely clean the registry on Windows 10 and 11, you may find it useful to learn how to fix the registry editor when the program stops working properly. Happy cleaning!

Last updated on 13 October, 2022

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