If you want the customization features and other tweaks in Windows, you may have come across some solutions that ask you to tweak the registry. The Registry actually refers to the database where the records of the settings are kept for your computer.
In Windows 10, you can access this database from a Run dialog or from the Windows search bar. Simply bring up a run dialog by pressing the Win and R keys and type Regedit. Upon pressing the Enter key, the GUI version of the Registry database will open. Here, you will notice thousands of entries arranged in a hierarchical manner.
Why a registry cleaner?
There exists a registry entry for every software that you install on your computer. When you make some settings changes to your Windows, a corresponding registry file is modified for the same. This is the reason that you can make changes to Windows easily from the registry editor.
However, when you uninstall an application, the corresponding registry entries are not removed by Windows Uninstaller. This means that for every application that you uninstall, there will exist an invalid registry entry. These blank registry entries point to nowhere and need to be removed from your computer if you are running out of space.
Also, there is a possibility that a new application that you install creates a registry entry that is in conflict with the older invalid registry entries. This can have many repercussions and may lead to your application not being installed at all.
Therefore, you must clean your registry from time to time to prevent such mishaps.
Best free registry cleaner for Windows 10
If you need a registry cleaner for your computer, here are some free registry cleaners, each with unique features. Check out the complete list to find a registry cleaner that suits your needs.
Quick Overivew
IOBIT Advanced SystemCare free
If you try many applications on your computer, you must have heard of the IObit brand. While the IObit uninstaller is famous for batch uninstalling and residual cleaner, there exists a free registry cleaner application from the brand as well.
Features:
IObit Advanced SystemCare is one of the best free system cleaners available for Windows. Here are some of the features that you will really like on the Advanced SystemCare Free software:
- You can scan for junk files and broken registry items using just a single click.
- Very simple and easy to use user interface makes the cleaning process seamless.
- Ability to scan for specific items or file types.
- Thorough scanning for over 26 types of junk files.
- Additional security features like privacy traces, blocking malicious files, etc.
- Support for older versions of Windows including Windows 8.1, 7, and Vista.
However, the deep cleaning feature requires the premium version.
Download Link: https://www.iobit.com/en/advancedsystemcarefree.php
CCleaner
Piriform CCleaner is one of the most popular registry cleaner applications among users. It has one of the easiest to use user interfaces with all the options within the reach of a single click.
Features:
Here are some of the features that are very popular among users:
- Both portable and installable versions of the app are available.
- Prompts before cleaning registry items to back up the registry.
- Familiar and well-designed user interface appeals to non-tech-savvy users as well.
- Almost every feature is available to use in the free version.
- Support for older generations of Windows including Windows 7, XP, and Server 2008.
- Additional optimization features available in both the free and the Premium version of the application.
Also, check other software like Ccleaner here.
Download Link: https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner
Hoverdesk RegSeeker
RegSeeker is one of the complete PC optimization suites that can help you in cleaning up your PC and freeing up some important space. With a host of available features, it actually may be the only registry cleaner you need on your computer.
Features:
- A very neatly arranged user interface makes it easy to navigate through the enormous number of features available in the application.
- Many optimizations feature available alongside Registry cleaning.
- Default backups created before deleting unnecessary registry files.
- The Find in registry feature is a very unique feature that allows you to scan for specific registry items from the whole list of broken items.
- You can also select and clear invalid entries from the specific keys like HKLM, HKCR, etc.
Learn the command line to clean the recycle bin.
Download Link: https://www.hoverdesk.net/
Auslogics Registry Cleaner
From the house of another great PC optimization suite developers is the Auslogics Registry Cleaner. The Registry cleaner is actually a freeware the is available separate from the premium Disk Cleaner and is a very capable free registry cleaner for Windows.
Features:
- Premium looking user interface makes it very easy to navigate through all the available options.
- Displays the scan results in a categorized manner, making it easy to scan through the results.
- Threat severity displayed in different color grades makes it easy for common users to identify the threat level of a broken registry item.
- Option to scan for specific shortcuts, files, or other types of common registry errors.
- Create a backup of the current registry items automatically before the scan.
- Ability to pause and resume the registry cleaning scan is one of the most appreciable features of the application.
Download Link: https://www.auslogics.com/en/software/registry-cleaner/
Wise Registry Cleaner
You must have heard of Wise Care 365 if you have searched for a complete PC optimization suite. Wise Care 365 is one of the most efficient PC optimization suites available for Windows 10. The registry cleaner component is bundled with the cleaning suite, or as a standalone app package as well.
Features:
- Also available in both portable and full installer versions.
- Different scan modes for different needs:
Fast Scan only scans the apps and settings that will not impact the seriously.
Deep Scan every aspect of your computer for all invalid Registry items.
Custom Scan lets you scan only specific categories of the registry database. - The Registry Defrag is a special feature unique to Wise Registry cleaner, which is essentially a defrag feature for the Registry database.
- The System Tuneup tool helps in other optimization features that will help you speed up various parts of your computer.
- You can scan your computer for broken registry items at a scheduled time.
Download Link: https://www.wisecleaner.com/wise-registry-cleaner.html
Eusing Free Registry Cleaner
One of the simplest registry optimization software available for Windows is the Eusing Free Registry Cleaner. It is definitely as clean as it comes, with occasional to no prompts at all for donations.
Features:
Here are some features you can expect while using Eusing Registry Cleaner:
- A modest yet outdated user interface is probably not one of the strongest points of the Eusing Registry Cleaner, but the UI feels practical and useful.
Almost all the options are available within one click. - Next to none banner advertisements make the app feel crisp and clean.
- Ability to scan and repair registry errors, with the options laid out in the very first window.
- Option to create a backup, and restore a backup of the registry entries that you prepared earlier.
- You can also select individual sections of your computer to scan for issues or scan the entire computer.
- Editing Registry entries is also hassle-free with the Open in Regedit feature, which opens the selected entry in the built-in Registry Editor.
Download Link: http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm
BlueSprig JetClean
While it may not be as popular as the other free registry cleaners out in the market, JetClean is one of the most functional PC optimization software available for Windows.
Features:
Here are some things that we liked about JetClean that you can expect while using the software.
- Another app with an outdated yet functional UI, JetClean has all the options laid out in the front in an easy to access manner.
- Ability to schedule the registry repair scans for Windows 10.
- Very fast scanning times, faster than other registry cleaners available online.
- A good variety of PC optimization tools present within the software.
- Support for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows, with compatibility for older versions as well.
Learn how to take registry backup in Windows PC.
Download Link: http://www.bluesprig.com/jetclean.html
WinUtilities Registry Cleaner
The WinUtilities suite by YL software is actually very popular among PC optimization applications. The Registry cleaner is part of the WinUtilities suite, which is a very efficient software that can help with many other PC optimizations as well.
Features:
- A variety of scanning options make it easier to customize the scans.
- Ability to create a restore point before repairing the registry.
- The user interface does not feel old and is very functional with all the options easily available.
- The cleaning process is designed like an installation wizard, which is a unique and intuitive way of approaching the Registry repair.
- One-click maintenance tab to access all the cleaners in one place.
While a standalone registry cleaner is also available, that is actually a premium software. You can get the same functionality from within the WinUtilities Suite as well.
Download Link: https://filehippo.com/download_winutilities/
AVS Registry Cleaner
AVS Registry Cleaner is a free program that is available for Windows 8/8.1/10 for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. AVS is a well-known developer that makes dozens of quality consumer Windows applications. Likewise, AVS Registry Cleaner comes in a modest package with all the features that matter in a registry cleaner app.
Features:
- Scans the entirety of registry categories like shared DLLs, uninstalled program entries, ActiveX/COM, file extensions and much more
- Features option for making a backup of the registry for maximum security
- You can set a scheduler to scan your PC regularly and automatically
- This software is compatible with other antivirus, graphics, and office software programs on your PC
- Also comes with temporary internet file deleter, corrupted application uninstaller, and can also remove trash from your recycle bin.
Download Link: https://www.avs4you.com/avs-free-registry-cleaner.aspx#
NETGATE Registry Cleaner
For its size, NETGATE’s registry cleaner sure provides a lot of features and functionalities to clean and make your PC faster. This software focuses on deep cleaning of your system’s unwanted files and hence there is hardly any junk file this software can’t remove. It also has a registry defragger that makes it more sophisticated.
Features-
- Removal of unneeded files on disks
- Activity traces can also be deleted
- Startup managers to manage startup applications which impacts your boot time
- Scheduling of scans and backup for unattended support
- Cleans recent trace files of MS paint, documents, Windows media player, start menu/run, office applications, Wordpad, internet explorer, etc
- Cleans registry entries: File extensions, Invalid ActiveX/COM, Missing Help File, Application Paths, MUI Cache, Empty Keys, and much more.
Download Link: http://www.netgate.sk/products/registry-cleaner/
Conclusion
There are many other free registry cleaners available for Windows, but all of them cannot be trusted with the increase in privacy risks. Each Registry cleaner in this list has unique features that will cater to a different set of users. Find the one according to your needs by following this list.
