Your Windows operating system’s important info is kept inside the Windows registry database.

A registry is used both by 64-bit and 32-bit versions.

Stored data in the registry may include: user data and preferences.

Operating system software, hardware information, and general software settings are also important too.

Whenever a program is installed, the registry makes note of the changes.

It then potentially alters the manner in which your Windows operating system runs.

Users sometimes also affect the registry making changes to any control panel settings and file associations.

If they make certain changes to installed software programs, the registry is affected, too.

For the operating system to function properly, your registry’s integrity must remain intact.

Your system’s performance and stability may be affected dramatically by even minor alterations to the registry.

Each operating system installation comes with a special program that allows users to edit the registry.

The program is called “regedit”. A search with the Windows search function may help you find the program.

Once Regedit is running, you can see a folder tree very similar to the folder tree of Windows Explorer.

The left half of the screen displays the registry folders, the right side, the folders’ contents.

Attention! One wrong setting can crash your entire system even if altering those registry settings seems easy, be careful!

A complete reinstallation of your computer’s operating system may be required for only one bad registry entry.

You should always backup before you make any changes to your settings, especially if you’ve never edited a registry!

Very few people actually backup their registry data, even though it’s so important.

It is a good idea that a person learns how and performs the backup at least once every few weeks.

To export the settings of your registry, click on FILE from the menu, then on EXPORT.

You will then be asked to name that file.

The new name of an important file that you’re backing up, should be exactly what it is followed by the letters “bak”.

So, a good filename for your registry backup might be “registry-bak”. To include the current date in your filename, such as “registry-bak-7-10-07″, is a possibility, too.

You’re finished backing up your registry after the computer saves your file!

Select FILE from the menu, and then IMPORT if you ever need to import your previously saved registry data.

An entire line of software has been produced because the integrity of your Windows registry is so important.

To edit and maintain your registry settings is its sole purpose.

Both free and paid registry maintenance programs are available through the Internet.

The central features of these registry programs will be to scan and repair any errors.

Some also tend to institute a more automated or “hands off” approach to the registry’s scanning and repairing.

Others tend to be more automated with a “hands off” approach to scanning and repairing of your computer’s registry.

You can also find paid software that offers history record cleaning in addition.

You should also consider how easy the program is to use.

You should also consider easy of use for the program. Do you think you would even use the program if it is too complicated?

And will you get updates? Does the developer offer free, lifetime software updates?

Another question: is it easy or difficult to download and install updates?

Your Windows operating system’s registry is a highly sensitive component.

It’s a good idea to always check for the reviews prior to purchasing registry software.

You should test-drive the software, too, and make certain it is user-friendly enough for your expertise level.

There are a lot of people out there wanting to know the answer to the question how do I make my PC faster. It’s actually a simple process to do and will greatly improve the performance of your pc.