The Windows registry is a key component of the Microsoft Windows operating system. It stores configuration information and settings for many of the software programs that are installed on your computer, as well as many other options for controlling how Windows works. Broken registry entries can cause problems with Windows performance, stability and system start-up.
Fortunately, you can use a number of methods and tools to check for and fix broken registry entries.
1. Use System Restore: System Restore helps to restore your computer to an earlier point in time before any registry errors occurred. If you think you may have broken registry entries, running a system restore is a good first step.
2. Use Scanreg: Scanreg (or “Scan Registry”) is a tool that checks for and repairs several common problems in your registry. To use Scanreg, open the Run dialog (Press Windows key + R) and type “scanreg” and press Enter.
3. Use Registry Editor: You can search for and manually delete problem entries in the Windows Registry Editor. To use Registry Editor, open the Run dialog (Press Windows key + R) and type “regedit” and press Enter. Be careful when modifying the registry and make sure to back up any changes you make.
4. Use a Registry Cleaner: Registry Cleaners are automated tools that can be used to scan, detect and repair problems in your registry. These tools can be useful if you don’t want to manually search for and delete broken entries. There are many third-party registry cleaners available.
5. Use Event Viewer: Event Viewer is a built-in troubleshooting tool in Windows. It can be used to view detailed information about system events, including problems related to the Windows Registry. To use Event Viewer, open the Run dialog (Press Windows key + R) and type “eventvwr” and press Enter.
6. Use Microsoft’s Diagnostics & Recovery Toolkit (DaRT): DaRT is a Microsoft utility that can help troubleshoot startup problems, diagnose hardware issues and scan for viruses. It includes a tool to scan for and repair broken registry entries. It is included in the Windows 10 installation media.
7. Use Device Manager: Device Manager is a built-in Windows utility that can be used to view information about hardware connected to your computer. It also includes options to repair or update problem drivers, which may also help to fix registry errors. To access Device Manager, open the Run dialog (Press Windows key + R) and type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter.
8. Use Microsoft’s Sysinternals Suite: Sysinternals Suite is a collection of more than 70 Microsoft utilities that can be used to troubleshoot various Windows issues. It includes a number of tools that can be used to check for and repair broken registry entries. It is available as a free download from Microsoft’s website.
By following the steps outlined above, you can check for and repair broken registry entries on your computer. While manual registry editing is not recommended, there are ways to identify and fix these problems. With the right tools and some basic knowledge, you can keep your Windows registry in good shape.