20 Sep 09 Can Registry Cleaning Freeware Improve Computer Performance?

You don't always have to pay for a registry cleaner when you're trying to improve the performance of your PC. While many popular websites and blogs talk about the benefits of using one of the many paid registry repair utilities available on the Internet there are some freeware alternatives.

In this article I want to share with you how you can achieve similar results from a free registry repair program as you do using one of the many paid registry cleaners. One thing to keep in mind while reading this article. Not all errors to do with your PC are registry related. Often times they can be caused by corrupt files, spyware, adware or viruses. Be sure to run all types of scanners if a registry cleaner doesn't appear to solve the problem.

How a Registry Repair Tool Operates

Whether they're free or paid registry cleaners all work the same. A full scan is done of your computer. This usually takes anywhere from five to twenty minutes depending on how much there is to scan. The program attempted to check each entry in the Windows® registry to determine if it should be there or not.

Some things that can tip off a registry cleaner that a entry is incorrect are: out dated registry key, registry key referencing software that is no longer installed, adware, spyware or duplicate items from another registry key.

Once a complete scan is done the results are shown to you and you have the option of fixing all items, choosing some items to fix or repairing none of them. This is the point where you must pull out your credit card for most registry cleaners. Using a freeware application such as Ccleaner allows you to perform all the same registry repair operations but without having to pay for it.

Will Results be the Same with Free Programs

The benefit that a non free program has over a free one is that many come with add-on features above and beyond the registry repair feature. That is, some have start-up program managers, memory optimizers, junk file cleaners etc. These add-on features can help to improve system performance better then just the registry repair functionality alone.

Support can sometimes be a question for free programs. Often freeware doesn't provide support for users where a paid product almost always offers customers technical support after purchase. It's a must if they want to keep their customers happy.