The Windows Registry

Computer Care: When updating registry, back up before going forward

By Arthur Glazer
arthur@glazerthepctech.com


POSTED: April 2, 2011 1:00 a.m.

Most computers users are generally not afraid to defragment their hard drives, delete temporary files or even reinstall Windows to their computer. But mention editing the registry and even some well-seasoned geeks may break out in a cold sweat and defer that task to someone more qualified.

The Windows registry is a database that references all that happens in a computer including all hardware, software, the operating system and its users. It is a central repository for the system that stores all the instructions required by the computer to function. It maintains all settings and options.

When you click an icon, it's the registry that decides what to do from there.

It is organized like the Windows file structure. The operating system has folders and files, while the registry has keys and values. They are both set up in a hierarchical format, each file/value being subservient to the folder/key above it.

There are five main keys (called HKEYS), each controlling specific areas of your computer.

You can alter the registry, directly or indirectly, by making any changes to your system.

Suppose you decide to change your desktop image. You can do it manually from the desktop, from the control panel or from the registry. By making changes from the first two locations, ultimately the adjustments are reflected in the registry.

You need to tread lightly though, as a few misplaced clicks of the mouse in the registry and the well-honed, expensive computer you so cherish is turned into a doorstop.

You could go through the life of a computer never cleaning the registry, but eventually it will begin to slow down. When applications are deleted from a system, the programs are deleted, but references to them remain in the registry. The same holds true for old shortcuts, fonts and previous users.

The registry can be edited manually using Regedit, a part of Windows, or with a dedicated registry tool. If you do it yourself, I must warn you though: There is no verification after an edit. There are no "Save" or "Undo" buttons. Once a change is made, there is no turning back. The best advice I can give is to back up the registry if you plan to alter it.

System Restore is the most basic way to accomplish this task, but it backs up more than the registry. Also random restore points may be deleted at any time by the system. So although it is an easy method, it's not the best for this purpose.

There are dedicated registry utilities that you can download for free. Some are simply cleaners while others allow you to make adjustments to menu speed, icon size, color schemes, system sounds, wallpaper, screensaver, your right-click options and more. Some utilities can replace your lost Recycle Bin, toggle off that annoying permissions box that always appears or change your password. All of the utilities will offer to make a back-up for you. Take advantage of the offer.

Should you want to back up the registry manually, run Regedit by typing it in the Run Command (XP) or Search box (Vista or Win 7) and hit "Enter." Click on "Computer" above the list of keys. Then click on "File" and then "Export." Be sure to choose a secure destination like a flash drive for the backup. You should save it off of the hard drive so you can access it when you can't access the hard drive.

Editing the registry manually is not difficult; you need only to be careful. You can use the "Find" feature at the top of the Regedit page to look for what you want to adjust. Values are either "0" or "1" and represent either yes or no, or on or off, depending on what it is you're going to change.

You could always Google what you are trying to modify. If you want to auto-hide the task bar in Windows 7, for example and can't find that registry key, Google it. You'll find step-by-step instructions.

Many registry cleaners and optimizers find more errors than others. They are simply more aggressive in their scans. But they also warn you prior to deletion, asking for confirmation. If you aren't sure if a value should be deleted or not, use a less aggressive utility.

Some of the many free registry tools on the Internet that I've found easy to use, are Advanced System Care, Ccleaner, Easy Cleaner and Glary Utilities. These incorporate other useful tools as well. Another, ERUNT is strictly a back-up tool.

If Windows is a mess, before you delve into the registry, first try a reboot, then try Safe Mode (tap F8 at boot) and initiate a System Restore (this is what it was made for) or choose Last Known Good Configuration (also from F8).

You only want to use a registry backup when you have been making adjustments to it and something went awry.

So fear not, geeks and non-geeks alike. The registry is there for us to fine-tune our systems. Just beware the one big caveat — back up before you tune up.


Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly on the Business page and on gainesvilletimes.com.

The Cost of Free Programs

Computer Care: Beware the costs of free programs

By Arthur Glazer
arthur@glazerthepctech.com

POSTED Aug. 14, 2009 11:30 p.m.

Everyone likes a bargain. There are two-for-one beers, free samples, free parking, free admission, free Wi-Fi and free downloads.

All are great except for the last one. Free downloads are not always free. Well, they may be free, but there is still a price to pay.

Sure, some free downloads make you eventually pay for the program, but that’s not where I’m going. I’ve mentioned this in the past, but it’s worth saying again: A free program is not only free of cost, but free of support as well.

You are on your own when you download a free program from the Internet. Don’t expect help from the site you got it from or from those who wrote the program. Somewhere in all of those OK and Next buttons you initially click is an agreement stating that fact.

You use the program at your own risk. Should something go wrong, it’s on you. You need to know what you are using, how to use it and what it does. This especially holds true with registry tools. In just a couple of wrong mouse clicks, you could turn an $800 laptop into an expensive doorstop.

The first thing to do is make sure your system is healthy. If it’s already on the edge and you push it, there will be consequences.

When you install something on your system — anything — make sure nothing else is running. That means not just closing open windows, but also checking the taskbar. Look over by the clock and close down any programs you don’t need. Everyone has some utilities running there. Right-click and exit them. This is especially true of anti-virus programs.

When you later reboot, they will come back, so don’t worry about restarting them. The less you have running during an installation, the less of a chance you have of something going wrong.

It’s always good practice to create a system restore point prior to installing anything, should something go awry. It will give you a point to return to in case of trouble, kind of like Mr. Peabody’s Way-Back Machine. Some applications will create one for you automatically or at least ask you if you want to create one, but many will not.

From your Start menu in XP, click Accessories, then System Tools and System Restore. Choose to create a restore point. If you prefer to have it always on your start menu, right-click on it and choose: pin to start menu. It will then reside above the line on the left side of the menu.

In Vista, look in Control Panel under Classic view for Backup and Restore Center. In the left column, click on: Create a System Restore Point.

Your anti-virus and anti-malware utilities should have been running when you downloaded those programs you’re about to install. That is when anything malicious would get caught. There are a ton of Trojan horses circulating the Internet and if you are not careful and diligent, one or more will find its way to your computer.

Use reputable Web sites for downloads. Don’t click on every link that flashes "Free" on your screen. If you use online forums to read about others’ experiences with programs, you’ll learn plenty. Sites like download.com allow you to read not only the editor’s comments about programs, but you can see other user’s comments as well. This may help you decide if a program is worthwhile.

Many programs are written by the small guy, as opposed to corporate giants. Often the application written by the guy living in his parents’ basement is the best out there. Should you decide to pay the affordable $24 fee he’ll ask for, you’ll then get all the support you need.

I once had a guy e-mail me from Finland within hours of my query for help. It was well worth the small price I paid for his program.

Keep in mind, I would never recommend a program to you without having first tried it myself. I’ve had readers write, telling me that a program I wrote about was garbage and how could I?

Not every utility will function perfectly on every system. It just doesn’t work that way. Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world.

In some cases, as I mentioned, if the computer is already on the edge, all it may take is hitting the Enter key for an error to occur. In others, it may take running a program. But it’s not my fault, whatever the case. So please, don’t kill the messenger.

If you install a lot of programs, remember to delete them if you don’t use them. Why clutter up your hard drive? Then, since you are deleting lots of programs, it’s a good idea to run your defrag utility every now and then. There is always some maintenance involved with computing.

Just keep in mind there are many enticing, free programs on the Internet. Use them wisely and cautiously.

Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly. Arthur welcomes your computer questions and ideas for future columns.