The Windows Registry is a system file that holds lots of vital information about your PC and how it works.

Over time, installing programs, updating software and attaching new peripherals can all add to the Registry. When you uninstall programs, some Registry values can be left behind.

Lots of programs and tools claim to be able to ‘clean’ your Registry for you, by looking for and removing any invalid keys and values.

CCleaner, for example, has tools for cleaning your PC, including a Registry cleaner that’s widely popular.

Tread carefully

Tampering with the Registry can have a serious effect on your PC. Change or delete the wrong value and your PC could suddenly stop working properly.

Even automatic Registry cleaners have been known to incorrectly identify and delete important Registry values, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

One of the popular myths about cleaning the Registry is that it can provide a performance boost to your PC, but the truth is that doing so will have little – if any – tangible benefit.

As such, we wouldn’t recommend using Registry cleaners – and we’d strongly advise against ever changing things manually.