Free Registry Cleaners Aren’t Always Safe - By: Karl Sultana

At one point, most PC users will try to search for free registry cleaners.
Consider this fact: though there is no verifiable approximation as to the number of PC users in the world, studies have clearly shown that 92% of computers worldwide use the Windows operating system. Every Windows-based PC has a built-in directory where the various settings and details about the computer are stored.
This directory is called the registry.
The registry is one of the most important sectors of a Windows-based machine. A small but harmful element introduced in the registry can render the entire system useless.
And this why “free registry cleaners” will always be one of the top queries in search engines all over the World Wide Web.
Are Free Registry Cleaners Just As Good As Paid Ones?
The answer is, of course, a resounding yes.
Many of the free registry cleaners use open source codes – which are basically the same foundations as most of the paid registry fixers – hence, are of equal efficiency as compared to their pay-to-own counterparts.
But because free registry cleaners do not charge any fees, developers are hard pressed to provide user support. Often, their help desks are composed of mere volunteers. Most free registry cleaners, in fact, rely on the community of users who have benefited from the programs to help the newer users who are just about to give the utilities a try.
Also, most free registry cleaners recoup their development and maintenance expenses by accepting advertisements. Hence, these free registry cleaners may display some banner ads of pop-ups for you to see.
All in all, these are but minor hiccups for solutions which you can get without paying a single cent.
Sounds Good, But… Are Free Registry Cleaners Really Safe?
Now here’s the problem with free registry cleaners…
You see, free registry cleaners are meant to, well, clean the Windows registry. Over time, the registry collects useless data through the processes that your PC undertakes. Install a software program, for example, and some data will be entered in the registry. Uninstall this software program, and some of the data entered may not be erased.
Now, some of these “excess baggage” are harmless. Some of them slow down your PC’s performance. And some of them can destroy your PC because of incompatibilities with valid processes.
Free registry cleaners aim to solve these by deleting the unneeded and unwanted files.
But free registry cleaners operate based on pre-programmed algorithms, and like anything mechanical, lack the discernment necessary for some important decisions. And Windows is a “closed source” program, meaning, no one but the publisher knows the full set of codes that make it work. Developers of free registry cleaners do not work for Microsoft. They may have some problems determining the junk files from the essential ones in the registry, and this will reflect in the free registry cleaners they will release.
There are instances when free registry cleaners delete files that are necessary to make Windows work. The results range from occasional crashes to complete system failures.
How Can You Avoid The Pitfalls Of Free Registry Cleaners?
Free registry cleaners, in general, are excellent options for PC owners who wish to maintain a smooth-running system.
But just like anything in life, due diligence is needed to ensure utmost safety.
Since free registry cleaners work on the smallest of budgets, the communities built around them are the ones who do the beta testing, and often, even release the fixes for the bugs that are discovered.
Take this as your cue. Visit these communities. Dig up their forums. Read up on the dangers experienced by people who have used the free registry cleaners you are considering.
Remember, knowing the dangers will give you a better chance of avoiding them.

About the Author

Mehmet has over 10 years experience in repairing computer. Get everything you can from him. Download a free trial of RegCure registry cleaner today!

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