Clean Windows registry (step by step instruction)

Clean Windows registry? The Windows registry is a database that contains all kinds of settings from various Windows settings and applications.

The registry contains references and settings for hardware, software, and user configurations. In principle, the registry is a storage place for Windows.

The Windows registry is the user's digital footprint on Windows. It serves as a repository of files containing various settings, configurations and information for Windows OS and applications installed on it. The registry contains items that are important to Windows and determines the way the OS runs.

For example, the Windows registry stores information such as the location of installed applications, DLL files associated with the applications, paths to various files, shortcuts to the Start menu, etc.

The Windows registry is relatively risky to edit since you can customize the behavior of applications and Windows. In the worst case, you can damage an application's registry and the application may cause error messages.

The Windows registry is not perfect as it tends to collect empty and corrupt registry entries. Windows creates new registry entries every time you start up and use your PC. The problem is that Windows often doesn't delete old, unnecessary registry entries. Therefore, here are a number of tips to keep Windows running optimally by removing old registry entries.

One of the best ways to clean up a registry is not to use an application. These “registry cleaners”, applications such as CCleaner often do not remove all registry entries. The registry entries they delete are often recreated by Windows or an application.

It is best to deploy Windows applications and remove old applications and their registry entries. This way, few incorrect, empty and unnecessary registry entries are left in the Windows registry.

Clean Windows registry

To start, we will clean up the registry by using Disk Cleanup in Windows 10. Disk Cleanup makes it possible to clean up temporary files and other settings in Windows.

Disk Cleanup

In the Windows search bar, search for: Disk Cleanup. Click on the Disk Cleanup result.

Select the options you want to remove. I advise you to click on temporary internet files and temporary files in any case. You can safely click on them all.

Click OK to start Disk Cleanup.

You may be wondering, what does Disk Cleanup have to do with it Create Windows registry? All references that Disk Cleanup keeps track of are in the Windows registry.

DISM

In the next step we will use DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management). You can use DISM to perform maintenance on Windows.

In the Windows search bar type: cmd.exe. Right-click on the cmd.exe result and choose Run as Administrator.

In the command prompt window type: DISM / Online / Cleanup Image / ScanHealth

Wait for DISM to finish any fix problems in Windows and the Windows registry.

Reset this PC

If you want to reset the PC because Windows is slow If there are registry problems, you can do so using these instructions. Please note, with the recovery option “Reset this PC” you will not lose any personal files, but all applications you have installed will be deleted. So before you proceed, consider carefully whether you want this.

In the Windows search bar type: Reset this PC. Click on the result.

If your PC is not working properly, you can try restoring factory settings. You can choose whether you want to keep or delete your personal files. Windows is then reinstalled.

I assume in this instruction that you choose to keep files. You will then see the following questions.

Click the Get Started button to get started.

Choose your option. Keep files or delete everything. If you click on keep files you will see the following options.

You can choose to reinstall Windows from the Cloud, Windows will then be downloaded again or locally. I assume you choose Local.

Once again, a summary of what will happen during the Windows reset on your PC will be shown. Click Reset to confirm the file-keeping reinstallation.

This instruction contains 3 ways to clean the Windows registry. These methods differ from the standard options offered on other websites such as deploying applications. These applications certainly work, but they don't really solve the problem. If the Windows registry is dirty and needs to be cleaned up, you need to solve the problem in Windows, i.e. clean up Windows.

I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!