The reality is that Windows computers tend to gradually get slower over time. Why is this? What is the cause? Well, it's difficult to say exactly what the cause is for each individual case, however it is known that one of the biggest causes of a slow computer is a cluttered and corrupted Windows registry.
What The Heck Is The Registry?
Think of the registry as the central nervous system of your computer. The brains of the operation. It stores all the preference and settings files for the software and hardware on your computer, and constantly accesses these files so it knows how to run everything correctly and consistently.
The registry stores all the different personal changes you make to your computer, as well as more general settings. Whenever you change the wallpaper or mouse speed, changes in the registry files are made to keep everything the same the next time you log in.
How Does The Registry Get Damaged?
There are several ways that damage and clutter can occur. One of the biggest causes is the incomplete un-installation of software or hardware drivers. The files and folders that get left behind in an orphaned state lead to a lot of clutter that in turn causes Windows to bog down as it tries to make sense of it all.
Another way that problems can occur is a result of viruses or spyware. It's important to make sure you are running the proper anti-spyware software to protect you from this.
How Can I Clean The Registry?
Fortunately cleaning out the Windows registry is a very easy task thanks to software called registry cleaners. These programs allow you to scan the registry for errors and then remove them with the click of a button. The result is a much more streamlined system that runs faster and is more stable.
