When you install Windows on your PC, it is stored together with a number of programs within a database called the registry. It was originally designed to speed up the operating system, but it can also be the cause of a slow computer performance.

Since it is a single point of failure, damage to the system registry can render a Windows computer unbootable, and in extreme cases can only be fixed by reinstalling the operating system.

Failure to fix or prevent registry problems when they arise, may result in your PC freezing, crashing or a slow down in your computers performance. Out of the many PC maintenance tasks that you may perform, keeping the Windows registry clean should be a top priority. This applies to the casual user or advanced PC user. The end result will be a greatly enhanced computing experience.

It is important to note that trying to repair registry errors after they occur can be prove to be challenging than preventing them from happening in the first place. Prevention is key to keeping your system running well optimized.

If you have just bought a new PC, or have been running the same one for a number of years, it is important to understand why the Windows registry can eventually become corrupted and filled with unwanted errors.

You will definitely need to look into repairing your registry for any one of these reasons:

- improperly uninstalling software programs on your PC

- constantly installing and uninstalling applications

- Spyware, Adware or other third party software that have been installed onto your computer without your consent

- frequently installing or uninstalling hardware devices

- unused drivers that are no longer being used by the system or a device

Repairing registry problems will not be a major issue for a new PC, but over time your Windows registry will continue to be filled with more and more information. This is the result of adding and removing new software, hardware devices, drivers and other utilities.

With all these additions and deletions, your registry may become corrupt and filled with useless information that the operating system no longer needs. If this is not corrected soon than you may end up with a system that is unable to even boot up properly.

There are a number of ways to correct registry errors from manually trying to remove them using the built-in RegEdit tool that comes with Windows, to using a registry cleaner tool that will automatically scan your system registry and remove information that is no longer needed.

These tools have many features that can help the average user in registry repair. They provide a simple and easy to use interface that will scan your PC at regular intervals that are set by you. They can really help to get your computer running fast again.