This article shows you how to delete Windows registry keys that are no longer needed. It should be noted that the registry is a fundamental and extremely delicate component of Windows in which all the configuration settings of the computer are stored. Deleting the wrong key from the registry could cause a harmless error message, but it could even render your computer unusable. For this reason, only experienced users should access and modify this very important element of Windows.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Preliminary Operations
Step 1. Understand the consequences of editing the Windows registry
It is a fundamental element of the operating system where the configuration settings of processes, programs and hardware peripherals of the computer are stored. For this reason, deleting the wrong key could render the entire system unusable.
Step 2. Follow the safest way to clean the Windows registry of unnecessary data
Unfortunately, manually editing the registry is a process that never guarantees the maximum possible security, so following the steps in this article may not give the desired results which are solving the problems that are afflicting your computer or improving its general performance. This is due to the simplistic approach on which the guide is set up to make it usable by everyone. If you want to fix the Windows registry more safely and efficiently, without running the risk of making mistakes, use the Registry Cleaner program.
Step 3. Understand the steps to follow to manually clean up the Windows registry
The best way to do this without using an automated program is to start your computer in "Safe Mode". This way you can be sure that the running programs will not be able to interfere with the modification procedure or make changes to the registry themselves.
Step 4. Uninstall any programs you don't need or no longer use
Before starting to clean the registry of unnecessary keys, uninstall all the programs you have not used for a long time by following these instructions:
-
Access the menu Start clicking the icon
Windowsstart ;
-
Select the option Settings clicking the icon
Windowssettings ;
- Choose the voice App;
- Select a program to remove;
- Push the button Uninstall;
- Follow the instructions that will appear on the screen.
Step 5. Back up your computer
If you accidentally delete key parts of the Windows registry, you can restore the original version using a backup file.
Step 6. Back up your registry
Follow these instructions:
- Start the Registry Editor by typing the keyword regedit into the "Start" menu and clicking the icon regedit when it appears in the search results list;
- Access the menu File placed in the upper left corner of the window;
- Choose the option Export … from the appeared menu;
- Name the backup file;
- Select the "All" radio button located in the lower left part of the export window;
- Push the button Save;
- Wait for the registry export procedure to finish (this step takes several minutes, during which the program window may appear frozen).
Part 2 of 5: Boot the Computer in Safe Mode
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 2. Select the "Stop" item by clicking the icon
It is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Hold down the ⇧ Shift key while selecting the item Reboot the system.
It is one of the options on the menu Restart. Do not release the ⇧ Shift key until you are specifically instructed to do so.
Step 4. Release the ⇧ Shift key when you see a blue screen appear on the screen
When the screen turns blue, you can release the ⇧ Shift key.
Step 5. Choose the Troubleshoot option
It is visible in the center of the screen.
Step 6. Select the Advanced Options item
It features an icon that depicts a set of work tools (a wrench and a screwdriver).
Step 7. Choose the Startup Settings option
It is located in the center of the screen.
Step 8. Select the Restart item
It is located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 9. Choose the "Enable Safe Mode with Networking" option
Press the key corresponding to the number of the item indicated (normally this is the key
Step 5.). The computer will restart in safe mode. At the end of the boot phase you can start cleaning the registry.
Part 3 of 5: Access the Registry Editor
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 2. Search for the "Registry Editor" program
Type the keyword regedit into the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Click the regedit icon
It should have appeared at the top of the "Start" menu.
Step 4. Press the Yes button when prompted
The Registry Editor window will appear.
Part 4 of 5: Clean up the registry
Step 1. Expand the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder
Click the icon
located on the left of the indicated item, which is located in the upper part of the left pane of the program window.
Step 2. Go to "SOFTWARE"
Inside there is a list of folders related to the programs installed on the computer.
Step 3. Locate the folder for a program you no longer use
Since the only items that you can safely remove are those related to the programs you just uninstalled, you will need to look for folders that are marked with the name or manufacturer of the programs you removed.
To view the list of programs related to a specific company, you will need to expand the corresponding registry folder (for example "Adobe")
Step 4. Select the chosen folder with the right mouse button
A context menu will be displayed.
Step 5. Choose the Delete option
It is one of the items listed in the menu that appeared.
Step 6. Press the Yes button when prompted
This will remove the selected key from the registry.
Step 7. Repeat the sequence of steps for all the programs you uninstalled
Once you have removed the folders of all the programs you know and no longer use, you can continue.
Step 8. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer
Click the icon in the shape of X located in the upper right corner of the program window, then restart your computer using the "Shut Down" panel
in the "Start" menu. When the computer has completed the start-up phase, you can return to normal use. All changes made to the registry have been saved and applied.
Part 5 of 5: Using the Registry Cleaner Application
Step 1. Install the "Registry Cleaner" program
It is an application able to guide you step by step in the procedure of cleaning the registry from the entries that are no longer needed. It will run a registry scan showing you the corrupt or useless keys, indicating which ones you can remove and deleting them when needed. To install the program follow these instructions:
- Access the following website https://www.auslogics.com/it/software/registry-cleaner/ using your computer browser;
- Press the green button Download now;
- Double-click the icon of the file you just downloaded;
- Push the button Yup when required;
- Push the button Click to install;
- Uncheck the checkbox for installing additional software and press the button Decline (you may have to repeat this step several times);
- Wait for the installation procedure to finish.
Step 2. Launch the Registry Cleaner program
When the installation is complete press the button end, then press the button Yup when required.
Step 3. Enter the Settings menu
It is located at the top of the program window. A list of options will be displayed.
Step 4. Make sure the "Back up changes" option is checked
The indicated menu item Settings it should have a small check mark on the left. If not, select it with the mouse to make it appear.
Step 5. Press the Scan Now button
It is located at the bottom of the main window pane. The Registry Cleaner program will begin scanning your computer's registry for corrupt or unnecessary keys. When the scan summary is displayed you will be able to continue.
Step 6. Press the Fix button
It is placed in the lower part of the appeared window. The Registry Cleaner program will delete any corrupted or unnecessary entries it has found.
Performing this step can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the conditions in your computer's registry
Step 7. If necessary, restore the registry to its original condition
If after running the automatic registry cleanup your computer is malfunctioning or normal Windows processes generate error messages, restore the original version of the registry by following these instructions:
- Access the menu File of the program;
- Choose the option Rescue Center;
- Select the most recent backup file;
- Push the button Reset.
