If your computer is running slow, you have probably gone through the different stages of rage and frustration. Having a great tool like a computer can seem like a curse and a blessing at the same time when this happens. It is great when it is running fast and smooth, but then once it starts acting weird and slows way down, frustration sets in. How can something as wonderful as a computer make a person so mad?



There can be several reasons why your computer can lose speed. Normal computer use, such as surfing the Internet can get your operating system in a condition where it has no choice but to slow down. The constant entering and deleting of temporary files that occur when we surf the Web leave us with thousands of false indicators in our operating system's registry.

What to do about false registry entries

Of course, the next logical step is to get these false entries cleaned out. Fortunately, this is not a difficult task. It is the second thing you should do once you noticed your computer has lost speed. The first would be to make sure there are no viruses or malware present.

Registry cleaning is important because the registry can get crowded and messy when it is left unchecked. False entries send the operating system looking for files and directories that have long ago been deleted. This takes time and uses precious resources. So, a slowdown inevitably takes place. It is especially noticeable when we multitask.

What is in the registry?

Your registry is the place all your important configurations for hardware, software and user profile configurations and preferences are stored. Every time one of these things is changed, the database has to be expanded. Over time, the registry can become bloated with unnecessary files. This causes a general slow down but in extreme cases can cause important tasks and programs to stop working all together.

Finding a good registry cleaner is not difficult. There are many available today. Try to find one that comes highly recommended by somebody who has used it. This is the safest way to find any product. Many of the cleaners offer a free scan so you can see if it really is a registry problem slowing you down or if you may have some other problem. Also, remember if you have Vista, you need a registry cleaner that will be Vista ready.

Registry optimizer

Another tip is to get a registry cleaner that is also an optimizer. There aren't too many of these on the market yet but they are well worth the effort to track down. A clean registry will get your old speed back. An optimized one will, many times get you going even faster.

Other terms used for registry cleaners are: registry fix program, registry repair program and registry scanner. They all refer to the same thing.

So, the next time your computer starts to run slow and perhaps starts acting oddly, don't get frustrated with it. Realize you may just be a registry scan away from getting your old friend back up on its feet and speeding through hyperspace once again!