Ok, so you’re having computer problems. Things are slowing down, there are errors and your techie friends say it’s time to clean the registry. A quick search of the internet reveals there are tons of programs out there, all claiming to be the best of course. So how do you decide?

I asked myself that same question, and after a lot of research came up with some guidelines make deciding on the best registry cleaner just a bit easier.

First, understand that the Windows Registry is a sensitive area of your computer. While it can be fixed manually it isn’t recommended. In fact, even computer professionals don’t like to do it. That’s because just ONE tiny error (even something as simple as a space in the wrong place or a lower case instead of uppercase letter) can not only mess up the registry, but render your computer completely unusable!

That’s right… one innocent error can cause your computer to crash completely!

Obviously an automated solution makes sense in this case. Today’s registry cleaning software is very technical, and the people who create it really understand the ins and outs of the registry and how to fix it SAFELY. Having said that, how do you decide which one to use?

Let me clue you in on a little secret here… the truth is that most of the programs out there will very adequately get the job done. The difference isn’t in basic functionality but in the extra features that make one product different than the next.

Here are some of the features that add value to registry cleaning software:

Free Scan – Obviously you want to scan your computer to make sure the registry is an issue. Most software available today offers a free scan to let you know where possible problems are.

Automation – For the average computer user (me included) automation is essential. The whole point of investing in a registry cleaning program is so that you don’t have to deal with it. Most programs today can run in automatic mode to save you time and headaches.

Manual Override – In addition to automatic mode, it is nice to have the ability to manually choose which repairs you want done. This is excellent for the more technical minded and even if you never use the option it’s nice to have “just in case.”

Automatic Updates – So you always have the latest version.

Additional Features – Although not necessary for basic registry cleaning, it’s nice to have the ability to do things like clear your internet cache, delete un-needed temporary files, fix Active-X, font and start menu inconsistencies, etc. True these things can be done using other utilities, but it’s very nice to have them all easily accessible in one central location.

Another quick hint when choosing a registry cleaner (or any other program) is to sketch out a little chart with the features you want and then just check off which programs offer which features. This will give you a very quick snapshot of which program is right for you.