How to Fix Windows Registry Problems

Step By Step Guide to Fixing The Windows Registry

Assuming you have properly diagnosed your computer as having a windows registry problem you will want to make a systematic plan to repair the effected files and restore your computer to good health. Warning: We do not recommend that you proceed with steps 2 and 3 unless your are sure of what you are doing.  Catastrophic damage can be done to your computer by manually editing the Windows Registry files.

The following is a 3 step plan to fix the windows registry:

1. Back up the windows registry
2. Diagnose the Windows Registry problem
3. Make changes to the Windows Registry to eliminate problems

Step 1 – Back up the Windows Registry

Choose you back up plan.  It does not make sense to back up your computer to your computer.  You should back up to an external location.  That external location can be an external hard drive, an Internet based back up service or CD’s.  If something goes horribly wrong with your computer – and it probably will – it does not do you much good to have a back up on the same computer that has just been fried.  I prefer to back up to an external hard drive that I keep in my office.
Having one back up copy of your computer is quaint, but not bullet proof.  If you really want to ensure that your files are safe you should make a second external back up and and store that back up off site.  That way in the event of a fire, failure of the first back up, theft or other event that destroys your computer and first back up you will still have a copy of all of your important files.  It is important to remember that any files you have created since your last back up will not be protected.  To make sure that you always have a current back up of your important files you should schedule automatic backup of your files.  This will minimize your potential loss.

For Windows XP:

1. Click Start >> Accessories >> System Tools >> Backup
2. Click Next from the Backup or Restore Wizard
3. On the Backup or Restore page make sure the Backup files and settings button is selected the click Next
4. On the What to Backup Page make sure All information on this computer is selected and then click Next
5. On the Backup destination page select the location of the backup and click Next
6. On the Completing the Backup or Restore page click Finish

To automate this process click on the Advanced tab on the Completing the Backup or Restore Wizard page and follow the directions to set up an automated Backup schedule.  You will need your admin information to set this up.

For Windows Vista:

1. Click Start >> Control Panel >> System and Maintenance >> Backup and Restore Center >> Backup Files
2. Choose a Backup location and click Next
3. Choose which files to back up and click Next
4. Choose a schedule for automatic back up and click Next

For Windows 7:

1. Click Start
2. Type Backup into the Search Box
3. Click on the Backup and Restore link
4. Click on Create System Image
5. Choose drive to back up
6. Choose the back up location

It is highly recommended to make a boot disk in case you can’t start up your computer.

Step 2 – Diagnose the Windows Registry problem
Unless you know exactly what you are doing it will be very difficult to diagnose problems with your Windows Registry.  Here is how to access the Windows Registry:

1. Click Start >> Run
2. In the Open: box type regedit and click OK
3. You are now in the Registry Editor.  Warning changes made in the Registry Editor could have a disastrous effect on computer’s operation.
4. Locate and isolate the problem in the files

Diagnosing a Windows Registry problem is best down with specialized software designed for this purpose.  The registry is too large and too complex to go looking at individual files to find problems.  The registry is also dynamic which means it is always changing in response to activity on the computer.

Step 3 – Make Changes Directly to the Windows Registry

Here is where things get dicey.  The Windows Registry contains files and setting for all aspects of your computers operation from users, to hardware and software settings.  It is complex and constantly changing as you use your computer.  The two main challenges to fixing registry errors are to locate where in the registry the actual problem is located and determining what change is needed in order to fix the problem.
At this point there are only three options to restore your computer to like new condition:

1. Go into the Registry Editor and make changes to the system
2. Hire someone who has the ability and expertise or software to do the job
3. Use a good Registry Clean/Fix program to effectively and inexpensively fix all Registry problems and be done with it.

We recommend option 3.  Click here for your free scan and get your computer back to new.  Our Top Rated product is RegCure