XP Registry..

Hi,. I'm not much of a tech savvy. But I notice that when I install more and more programs over time (after formatting my HD) my XP becomes slower and slower. It also tends to crash more often. I defragment every other week, and I don't think there is any problem with that. My guess is that this is a registry problem.

I only have an idea on how these registry works. Can anybody help me fix them? I know there are programs that organize them. Help please?

Thanks.

 

You can try using freeware registry cleaners, and Microsoft also released a tool sometime back.. Don't meddle in the registry yourself unless you know what you are doing.
Although, in general it's safe to remove entries pertaining to programs that have been removed..

 

It could also be the Startup programs. A lot which is very unnecessary.

Press START, then RUN and type in "MSCONFIG" in the run box. Select the Startup tab(will be the last tab). Uncheck some of the start up boxes.

Some which I uncheck are:

Quicktime, Itunes updater etc, jusched(which is java), ETC: ETC:

Make the "Command line bar" bigger so you can see what the startup item is or what app it is for.


Also do a spyware scan, Defrag and Regclean with CCleaner.

 

Hey thanks guys.

LIVERFMNYC: what's the CCleaner? Is it a freeware? How good is the regclean? I am using Norton's. It's a little slow, and it doesn't seem to do anything.

 

Yup it's Freeware. CCleaner Download HERE.

I try to stay away from most Norton products. Also, what Antivirus are you using? Try Avast, it more lightweight and FREE.