How to Fix a Corrupt Windows Registry

When your registry becomes corrupt this can cause any number of issues such as persistent errors, system crashes, performance problems, or overall instability. When this happens it can render your PC useless and potential cause you to lose irreplaceable data on your hard drive.

To fix a corrupt registry fast, get a free scan from our recommended repair utility. To overcome these issues manually, you need to perform the following steps.

First, backup the registry. You can do this by following the steps below for your operating system.

Windows XP

  1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
  2. In the System Properties dialog box, click the System Restore tab.
  3. Click to clear the Turn off System Restore check box. Or, click the Turn off System Restore on all drives check box.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
  6. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Create a restore point, and then click Next.
  7. On the Create a Restore Point page, type a name for the restore point and then click Create.
  8. After the restore point has been created, click Close.
For more information, see this bulletin (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756).

Windows Vista

  1. Click Start, type systempropertiesprotection in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
  2. Wait for Windows to search for available disks and most recent restore points. In the System Properties dialog box, on the System Protection tab, click Create.
  3. Type a name for the restore point and then click Create.
  4. After the restore point has been created successfully, click OK two times.
For more information, see this bulletin (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756).

Windows 98/ME

  1. Click Start, click Run, type scanregw, and then click OK.
  2. When you receive a prompt to back up the registry, click Yes.
  3. When you receive the "Backup complete" message, click OK.

NOTE: When you back up the registry, the Rb0x.cab file is created in the Windows\Sysbckup folder (where x is a number from 0 to 5). Each time you back up the registry, the oldest Rb0x.cab file is overwritten. Windows Registry Checker backs up the System.dat, User.dat, System.ini, and Win.ini files, as well as registry configuration information (including user account information, protocol bindings, software program settings, and user preferences).

For more information, see this bulletin (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322754)

Pinpoint the source of the error. This step can take several hours depending on the issue and its complexity, even for a qualified technician. After hours of searching through log files, system events, and registry settings, it is possible that you might never find the cause.

Correct the error. And how should you do this? What keys should be changed or deleted? How does this relate to my software, hardware, or Windows installation? If you think this sounds a little scary, it is. Modifying registry settings the wrong way can completely disable your PC. Do not modify any settings here unless you are absolutely certain you know what you’re doing.

You should download registry scanning software that will review your PC and recommend the best registry fix for your configuration.

Review and compare our list of most popular registry repair programs here.

Fixing the Windows registry can be a snap, when you have the right tool. Fixing a corrupt Windows registry is can be done by simply downloading the right repair utility, installing it, and running a scan. These tools will automatically detect and fix registry errors at the touch of a button.