Registry Cleaner Articles

What Types Of Systems Need To Have Registry Cleaners

2010-06-05

The registry is an integral part of any Windows operating system. User settings, essential software data, hardware installation files, and other necessary operating data is contained in the registry database.

Each time a new program or piece of hardware is installed; more files are added to the registry. Files are often left behind in the registry when hardware and software is uninstalled. To prevent a bloated registry that can cause slow performance and computer crashes, it is recommended that Windows system users periodically use registry cleaners to remove unneeded, conflicting or corrupted registry files. A clean registry enhances the performance of any Windows computer.

The registry was first introduced to the general public in 1995 when Microsoft released the Windows 95 operating system. Prior to Windows 95, settings, software, and hardware settings were scattered all over the computer hard drive, making it impossible to remove files that had become obsolete. By placing all such settings in the registry, operators were able to locate files quickly and easily. It became clear, however, that the registry grew to an unmanageable size causing system instability. Shortly after the introduction of Windows 95, registry cleaners were developed to make it easy for the user to maintain a clean registry.

Shortly after Windows 95 was introduced, a networking operating system called Windows NT was ushered in for applications requiring a multiple user environment. The registry in the NT system was more complex than Windows 95 because of the multi-user exigency, but it performed virtually the same function.

The registry changed little with the Windows 98 and Microsoft Windows ME systems. Registry cleaners became essential as software program installation and setting files became larger, taxing computer systems more than before.

A change occurred in the Windows registry design with Windows XP. Home computer users now required a multi-user environment and the registry was redesigned to keep up with these requirements. While the registry became more advanced, the method of storing all of the essential settings and data remained. Registry cleaners became more sophisticated to keep up with the newest Windows systems.

The registry in Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems is still the command center of the computer. It contains all of the operating system files, including files that are no longer needed, conflict with others, or is compromised. A clean registry enables computers with Windows Vista or Windows 7 systems to function properly.

Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 all rely on a clean registry to maintain optimum performance. Today's advanced registry cleaners give Windows operating system users an easy and safe way to clean the registry without deleting essential files and settings.

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