What Are Registry Errors & How Do You Fix Them?

Registry Errors and their Causes

Errors often are caused by unnecessary or errant files on your computer system. For example, installing an application leaves a registry entry that allows the program to work. This can cause problems to the registry on startup. Similarly, if you remove a program incorrectly, it essentially leaves a trace of itself behind. Certain malicious programs, such as viruses and spyware, are sometimes designed to cause registry errors that are difficult to repair.

Computers are complicated machines, and just because your computer is not running well does not mean the problem is in the registry. Knowing the symptoms is crucial to understanding registry errors. Check your computer's overall performance. If the computer seems to be running significantly slower than usual, sits suspended with little activity or frequently freezes up, there is a good chance your registry is to blame. Also, you may notice that it takes a long time to start, or in the most extreme case, will not start at all. Listen for a beeping noise when you shut down your system, because this often indicates a hacker or virus affecting the machine.

Unless you are a professional, it is not recommended that you try to fix your registry manually. Luckily, there are many user friendly programs designed to resolve registry issues. They work much like an anti-virus program, scanning your registry for errors and fixing them. Software Industry Report recommends RegZooka, Registry Easy and RegCure as its top choice.

Logically, the best way to fix a problem is to prevent it from happening. Ken Smith has a few tips for reducing the chance of registry errors. First, make sure you correctly uninstall unused programs. This means you should either use the uninstall tool provided with the application or the Add/Remove Programs tool in the Control Panel section of Windows. Second, run regular virus checks and keep an eye out for harmful programs. Third, do not illegally download copyrighted programs or games from dangerous websites. These applications often contain viruses that could damage your registry.