The registry is the backbone behind all processes or operations that we perform on Windows 11 or 10 PCs. Whenever a problem occurs, you may solve that simply by tweaking the registry. However, what if the registry itself becomes corrupt, and starts malfunctioning every now and then? This guide presents four working ways that can help clean the registry entries on Windows 11/10.
By purging the registry, what we mean is to bring back its original state or the way it worked after a clean installation. Doing this will not only resolve the broken registries but also address problems like – unwanted app installations, corrupted/outdated/obsolete data removal, and others. Let’s explore how to clean the registry on Windows 11
Should I clean my registry regularly?
Registry Editor is the place where information related to all Windows operations exists. From changing wallpapers to doing any complex changes, you can find them all here inside the registry. Though Microsoft has added several advanced layers and features to Windows 11, it still gets into bugs or issues pretty often.
The root cause behind any issue can be resolved by cleaning the registry. That’s the reason why one should regularly clean it on Windows 11 OS.
Note: Before you go ahead and clean data on the registry, make sure to create a backup of the entire registry. This will help you in restoring your PC in case something bad happens while cleaning it.
How to Create a Registry Backup?
Follow the instructions below to create a registry backup on Windows 11 or 10 PC –
- Press “Windows key + R” to invoke the Run Dialog box.
- Type “
regedit” in the Run command, and hit OK. - Go to File and select the option – Export.
- Put a name to this backup, and hit Save.
The whole backing up process will take around 5-10 minutes depending upon how many entries are there inside your registry.
How do I clean the registry on Windows 11/10?
Now that you have created a registry backup, use any one of the below methods to purge the registry –
- By using the Backup Registry file
- Performing Windows Startup Repair (Safe Mode)
- Running DISM Command
- Via Disk Cleanup tool
1] By Using Backup Registry File
If you had generated a registry backup sometime back when your PC was working all right, you may use that to fix your current issues. For doing so proceed with the following instructions.
- Press the “Windows key + R” together to open the Run Dialog box.
- Type “
regedit” in the Run dialog box. - Hit the OK button.
- Go to the File menu on the top bar and select Import.
- Now, browse to the folder where the old registry backup lies.
- Select that file and hit the button – Open.
The chosen file will now start replacing your current files on the registry. I hope this method alone resolves the issue that you are dealing with.
2] Performing Windows Startup Repair (In Safe Mode)
In case you don’t have any registry backup prior to the occurrence of the recent issues, you may initiate the startup repair on Windows 11/10. For this, you need to boot into the Safe Mode first. Here are the essential steps to work on –
- Right-click on the Windows icon and select Settings.
- On the Settings page, click System and then Recovery (right pane).
- Click Restart now and your device will boot into the WinRE.
Now, that you are inside the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), do the following –
- Click Troubleshoot and then Advanced options.
- You will get a total of 6 options, select Startup Settings.
- Click Restart Again.
- Using the keyboard, press the key “5”, to Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
- Your device will now boot into the Safe Mode. This is basically a different state where all third-party apps and services don’t run.
- Launch the Registry Editor next, and head over to the path below –
Compute\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
- At this location, you will see a list of apps that you might have uninstalled already. In case you do find such an application here, right-click on that app, and hit Delete. If any confirmation window appears, click Yes.
- Doing so will remove any leftover or residual files of that already uninstalled program.
Do the same for all apps that you know for sure are not running on your computer. Deleting any already-in-use folder will seriously impact your device. So, proceed ahead with caution.
3] By Using Disk Cleanup Tool
Another useful tool by Microsoft to repair corrupt registries is by running the Disk Cleanup Tool. Using this, one can easily get rid of unnecessarily stored cache, old installation files, and several other non-essential files. Here’s how can you run this utility program –
- Use Win + S to launch the Search window.
- Type disk cleanup in the search box, and press the Enter key.
- Using the drop-down menu, select C:\ drive, and hit OK.
- Let this tool run and analyze the spaces that it can free up.
- Once the analysis completes, hit the option – Cleanup system files.
- Redo the steps that you did already i.e. Choose the C:\ drive, and let it analyze the system spaces that it can free up. The whole scanning process will take a few minutes to locate corrupted data, temp files, or old installation files.
- Tick all the checkboxes, and hit OK.
- If any confirmation window pops up, hit Delete Files.
Once this is over, reboot your PC so that the recent changes come into effect from the next login.
4] By Using DISM Command
To resolve any corruption inside the Windows 11/10 Image, you may also take the help of a command-line program i.e. DISM. Running this tool will help to scan and repair all those files that are either obsolete or have become corrupted somehow. Here’s how can use the DISM tool in Windows 11 –
- Launch Command Prompt as Administrator.
- On the elevated console, type the following, and press Enter –
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
- This program will take 15-20 minutes to find and repair any corruption inside the Windows 11 Image. In some scenarios, the timing may increase as well depending upon the number of corrupted files it requires to fix. Worry not, just let this code do what it does best.
- When this process is over, restart your computer so that the changes made become effective from the next login.
Now, that you have applied all of the four workarounds outlined above, check if your device is working perfectly.
