The Windows Registry is an important component which stores important configuration settings. Windows system components and programs require these registry entries to function correctly.
However, the registry collects more data with time and can become cluttered with broken or corrupted entries. The leftovers of its registry entries may remain even after uninstalling a program.
The Windows Registry is structured into five primary sections, commonly referred to as hives. These hives are:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT- This root key describes file type, file extension, and OLE, which stands for Object Linking Embedding.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER- This root key contains information about the user who is currently logged in and their settings.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE- This root key holds essential computer-specific details related to hardware installations, software settings, and other relevant information.
HKEY_USERS- This root key contains information that are related to all the users who log on to the computer, including both generic and user-specific details. It serves as a central repository for configuration settings, preferences, and system-related data.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG- This root key contains the details about the current configuration of hardware which is attached to the system.
You can find a multitude of keys, values, and data entries within each hive. These components are very important because they configure the operating system and manage the installed software in your system. Due to these broken or corrupted registry entries, users will encounter system errors and disrupt the normal functioning of the system.
These registry entries can lead to many problems within your Windows system if they are not repaired or fixed. Some common indicators of registry issues include:
Slow startup and shutdown times
Frequent crashes or freezes
Blue screen errors
Applications not responding or crashing
Missing or broken shortcuts
Strange error messages
How to Repair the Registry Entries?
There are various effective methods to repair or fix a corrupt or broken registry in Windows.
Run the Disk Cleanup Tool:
The broken or corrupted registry entries can be there in the system due to accumulated junk files, temporary files, and the system. You can run the Disk Cleanup Tool to clean your system and free up some space, and resolve issues related to broken or corrupted registry entries.
Open the search bar in Windows from your taskbar or use the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
Type Disk Cleanup.
Select the C: drive from the drop-down menu.
Enter OK.
Click on the Clean up system files button.
Note: To open the Clean up System files, you need an administrator account for this.
Keep the drive selection as C:.
Click OK to reopen the Disk Cleanup tool.
Wait for the software to scan your system thoroughly.
Click OK again.
Click the Delete files to remove unnecessary files from your system. This action will also address any unwanted items that have been accumulated in the registry.
Use the Automatic Repair Tool
The Automatic Repair Tool is a free tool that Microsoft introduced. This tool can be used to fix system boot issues and system registry files:
Press Win + L to sign out of Windows.
Click on the power icon in the bottom-right corner.
Then, press and hold the Shift key and click on the Restart option.
Windows will restart and boot to the Windows Recovery options page.
Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
Select the Startup Repair option on the Advanced Options page.
The utility will begin diagnosing your system and attempt repairs.
Restart the system after the repair process is complete.
Run SFC Scan
SFC or the System File Checker is a tool introduced by Windows that can be used to scan the system for corrupted or missing system files.
Press Win + R to open the Run command box.
Type cmd in the text input box and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter simultaneously.
A command prompt window will open with administrator privileges.
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter to perform the command.
The utility will scan your system for corrupt or missing files and replace them with fresh copies.
Allow the utility to complete the scan and file replacement process.
Close the command prompt window and restart your computer.
Run DISM Scan
DISM, which stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management, is also one of the in-built Windows tools that repair system files that are related to registry entries.
Press the Windows + S shortcut keys to open the Search Bar.
Type Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator.
Click on Yes to permit the app to open with administrator rights.
Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command.
Press Enter.
The tool will take some time to scan and repair the issues related to the system image.
Once the issue is solved, Close the command prompt and restart the system.
Import Registry Backup
Creating registry backups could resolve the broken or corrupted registry entries issue with the system. This option will only work if you have a recent registry backup.
Press Windows + R to open Run.
Type regedit to open Registry Editor and press OK.
Go to the Registry Editor toolbar and click on File> Import.
Go to Registry Backup File location.
Choose the registry file.
Click on Open.
Restart the system when the import process is done.
Scan System for Malware
If the system is attacked by Malware, it can break or corrupt the existing registry entries. You can run a full system scan with the help of the Windows Defender tool to scan any malware infections that are causing registry issues.
This option is only recommended if you have a recent restore point saved. Restore your system to the point when it was last working efficiently. If you have a system restore point saved from a time when your system was working correctly, then restoring your system to that point can fix any issues you may be experiencing with your registry.