The Windows Registry stores important files that are needed for the Windows operating system, system apps, and processes to run properly. The majority of changes made to your machine are saved in Registry Files, which are a set of keys and entries.
Many device applications and processes depend on these files to perform at their best. Windows produces more and more registry files when you use and personalize your computer, the majority of which aren’t removed even when they’re no longer needed.
The Registry becomes bloated with duplicate data, which become damaged, corrupted, or broken over time. Any registry objects can be corrupted by factors such as power outages, sudden shutdowns, defective hardware, malware, and viruses. As a consequence, broken registry items clog your PC’s storage, slow it down, and often cause startup issues.
Do You Need to Repair Errors in the Registry?
You can check your Windows computer’s registry for broken objects on a regular basis. This will improve the performance of your machine, particularly if it is running slowly or if some system apps aren’t working properly.
The argument is that deleting or restoring damaged registry files would help you rather than allowing them to bloat the registry.
A variety of built-in tools in Windows can assist in the diagnosis of registry file problems. To learn how to use these tools to repair broken registry items on a Windows PC, continue to the next section.
1. Clean up Your Hard Drive
Disk Cleanup is a tool that allows you to delete unwanted files from your computer, including damaged registry objects.
To use this tool, type disc cleanup into the Windows Search box and then select Disk Cleanup from the list of options.
Click the Clean up system files button.
In the “Files to Delete” pane, you can look at other file choices. There are unnecessary temporary files that your machine doesn’t need. You can learn more about a file type by clicking on it and looking at the Description section. When you’ve finished selecting files, click OK.
When you click Delete File on the confirmation prompt, Windows will delete corrupt registry files and other files permanently.
2. Check Your System Files with the System File Checker
Another critical tool included with the Windows operating system is the System File Checker (SFC). This tool uses a “repair-or-replace” method to patch damaged registry files. It looks for corrupt or incomplete machine files on your computer. If any are found, the tool replaces them with a new copy.
The command prompt is where you’ll find the tool; here’s how to use it:
- Right-click on the Start Menu or Windows icon and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the Quick Access menu.
- Type or paste sfc /scannow and press Enter.
When the SFC utility completes the command (which may take up to 30 minutes), it will notify you if any corrupt files were found or restored. As a result, the utility is a good way to see if any registry items on your device are disabled.
Note: Run the SFC command again if you get a message that says “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to patch any of them.” If the problem persists, reboot your machine and try again.
3. Make Use of the DISM Tool
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command can also be used to repair broken registry files, particularly if the System File Checker fails to find or fix any broken registry files.
Right-click the Start Menu button and select Command Prompt (Admin). Type or paste DISM/Online /Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth into the console and press Enter on the keyboard.
The DISM tool will now search your computer for corrupt and broken machine files; review the results to see if any files were replaced.
4. Install Or Repair Windows
Reinstalling Windows from scratch while maintaining your personal files, installed programmes, and other device settings is another way to patch or uninstall broken registry objects. This is referred to as a “fix instal.”
Otherwise, click Change what to keep and select Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings.
Your PC will be free of corrupt or broken registry files once the installation is complete.
5. Use the Automated Repair Feature
On Windows 10 machines, the Automated Repair utility is excellent for resolving startup-related issues. The programmed can also search and repair issues with registry settings, as well as other device files and configurations.
- To access the Automated Repair tool, go to Settings > Updates & Security > Recovery and click Restart now in the “Advanced startup” section.
Note: That will reboot your PC into the Advanced Startup Options menu. - Select Troubleshoot to proceed.
- Click Advanced options
- Choose Startup Repair from the list of Advanced options.
- Choose your account and enter the profile password to continue. If the account isn’t password-protected, simply click Continue to proceed.
The Automatic (Startup) Repair tool will scan your computer and fix any broken registry file it finds.
6. Scan the Registry with a Registry Scanner
To repair damaged registry objects on your Windows computer, you can use a third-party registry scanner (also known as registry optimizers or registry cleaners). The app will clean up your computer’s registry, deleting and replacing any corrupt or incomplete files.
Malwarebytes is a safe and dependable registry cleaner that can help you patch damaged registry entries. The issue with registry cleaners is that they don’t often replace or repair registry files. A malicious registry scanner has the potential to completely destroy your PC’s registry. Before you install a third-party registry scanning tool, make sure you’ve read enough feedback.
Note: Finally, make sure you scan your PC for malware and viruses causing registry items to become broken or damaged.