The Windows registry is basically a directory. It stores settings for the operating system for Windows Mobile, 64-bit versions and Microsoft Windows 32-bit versions. It contains information and settings for all the operating system software, hardware, most non-operating system software, users and preferences of the PC. Whenever a user makes changes to Control Panel settings, system policies, file associations or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in the registry.
The registry also provides a window into the operation of the kernel, exposing runtime information such as performance counters and currently active hardware. This use of registry mechanism is conceptually similar to the way that Sysfs and procfs expose runtime information through the file system (traditionally viewed as a place for permanent storage), though the information made available by each of them differs tremendously.
The Windows registry was introduced to tidy up the profusion of per-program INI files that had previously been used to store configuration settings for Windows programs. These files tended to be scattered all over the system, which made them difficult to track.
The Registry is stored in several files; depending upon the version of Windows, there will be different files and different locations for these files, but they are all on the local machine, except for the Ntuser.dat files. There is one such file per user that contains the information in HKEY_CURRENT_USER; it may be placed on another computer to allow for roaming profiles. The policy file, which is usually stored on a server in the local network, may also be located remotely.
What is a Registry Cleaner?
A registry cleaner is a type of program for Microsoft Windows operating system designed to remove redundant or unwanted items from the Windows registry. The cleaner program attempts to remove unneeded or unwanted items from the registry.
What Problems Does it Solve?
Some uninstallers for Windows software do not completely remove all traces of the software from the registry. Depending on the technical details, these traces can interfere with performance or have other negative impacts. Using a registry cleaner is one of the only ways to get rid of these bits. The registry cleaner scans the registry, and picks out the unnecessary and/or damaged pieces and deletes/repairs them.
Registry cleanup software: The Solution!
Registry cleaners, or registry cleanup software, can often improve the performance and reliability of computers by ridding the registry of unnecessary and fragmented files, which can dramatically reduce the need for serious maintenance. Some registry cleaners offer backup and restore functions that allow the user to revert changes made by the registry cleaner in case they are undesired.
List of Available Software:
Pimasoft Registry Fix
SmartPCTools Software Registry Repair Wizard 2007
VCOM Fix-it Utilities
Sysfixmaster Registry Cleaner
While this article is too short to go into complete details about registry cleaners, hopefully you have a good place to start your education. I have listed several great references and the end of this article. You can also visit http://www.registrycleanerauthority.com/
Windows 2000 Registry: Latest Features and APIs Provide the Power to Customize and Extend Your Apps.
Chen, R. The Old New Thing, Addison-Wesley, 2007, p. 322.
Microsoft's Windows 2000 Security Hardening Guide version 1.3, published May 15, 2003
Clean Out The Clutter
How creative are you? If you currently have a lot of clutter in your home, chances are good that you are very creative because studies have shown that creativity leads to clutter. It can be difficult to let go but, when it comes to cleaning your home, a good rule of thumb is to toss anything that you haven't used within the past year.
Like almost everything else in life, the clutter didn't appear overnight and it won't disappear overnight either. The trick to an effective cleanup is realizing what you need and what you can live without. Closet storage is a big issue for most families, but it can quickly turn into a functional space with a little knowhow.
When it comes to cleaning out your closet, purchase a sturdy over-the-door hook for belts, purses and scarves. Next, organize your clothes according to their intended use, such as work, casual and formal. If you don't have a shoe closet or shelf, keep each pair in a separate lidded clear shoebox for easy viewing and retrieval.
We all keep mementos that remind us of a special time in our lives, right? Whether it's greeting cards, photos, ticket stubs, newspaper clippings or other souvenirs, it's best to keep them in one confined place to avoid clutter.
A scrapbook or photo drawer is the perfect place to keep all of your items in one location for easy access. Without a specific location, it's too easy to misplace something that may bring back a special memory, so do yourself and your home a favor by having a place for everything and keeping everything in its place.
If you have children in the home, it's important that they have their own personal storage space separate from your own. Chances are good that your storage sits higher than what the average child could reach, which means organization could be a problem. If your little one can't reach it, they probably won't be too eager to store their toys there.
Just like adults, organization is key and children will enjoy having their storage drawers labeled for easy identification. For instance, a drawer that houses art supplies and coloring books can be labeled as ?art' and toys can be labeled according to specific types, such as ?dolls,' ?action figures' and ?comic books.' You get the idea!
Now that you know how to clean up the clutter, it's important to know what to do with your unwanted items. What's clutter to you may be a treasure to someone else, so it may be a good idea to consider donating some of your items to a charitable cause. There are a number of organizations that accept donations of clothes, toys, household items and other products. In some cases, your donation may even be tax deductible. If you are looking to turn your clutter into cash, try listing it for sale at some of the popular online auction sites.
Both Stephen E Nelson & Alex Daniels are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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