Registry errors are one common issue every Windows users may have to face now and then.
So, this guide will help you fix all types of registry issues.
Since not all users are comfortable to play with the system settings or in case you are in some important work. Then we recommend using the automatic repair tool that will help you fix the issue.
What is Registry In Windows 10?
The registry acts as a database that contains various process files, permissions, binary keys and more for the applications, utilities and settings of the Windows OS. So, there can be various possible reasons a registry key gets corrupted, deleted or infected.
If a registry key related to a particular application gets corrupted, then it can affect its performance. Or if the registry error is related to any in-built system settings or process, then you may have to face serious consequences. Like even you may see the blue-screen of death.
How can a Registry get corrupted?
As we all know, there are more than thousands of processes run in the system background. While we just click on the uninstall button or accidentally delete a program file, such actions can create a registry issue.
So, here is all that can corrupt a registry or cause a registry issue:
- Leftover keys of uninstalled applications;
- Duplicate or missing registry keys;
- Windows has some Start-up problem;
- Windows did not shut down properly;
- Virus/malware infection.
How do I know if the registry is corrupted?
Types of Registry Issues
Here can be various signs that will point towards a corrupted registry. Like, you may get unexpected errors on your system:
- System crashes often;
- Unexpected error showing duplicate or invalid registry;
- Blue Screen Error;
- Some process failed to load properly, that show blue screen “your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart”;
Although, manually fixing a corrupt registry is a tedious job. Because you don’t know what is the real cause of the error. But if you have some spare time then, you should give a try by carefully following the below methods.
Thus, the safest and quick way to fix corrupt registry is to use a repair tool.
- Click to Download the System Mechanics
- Once finishes, click toolbox → clean → Registry Cleanup
- Now click Analyze Now to detect all types of registry issues.
How To Fix Corrupt Registry In Windows 10
- Run System File Checker
- Run a Registry Clean Up
- Automatic Repair
- Refresh your system
- Run the DISM command
- Scan Your System With Anti-malware
Before going through any of these steps, we advise you to create a backup of your registry.
Run System File Checker
The very first thing to manually fix corrupt registry is to run the SFC means System File Checker. This is an in-built utility of Windows OS that allows the admins to scan the system drives to find any registry issues and repair them if found corrupted.
To do this, you need to run sfc/scannow command to the command prompt window:
- Open the command prompt window (Administrative Mode); To do so, in the taskbar type “command prompt”. And on right menu, click on “Run As Administrator”;
- Click on “yes” to the user control window.
- On the cmd window, type “sfc /scannow”, and press Enter button;
Fix corrupt Registry via command prompt
- Once you do so, the command will start executing to locate the corrupted system file. If found, the command will repair/replace corrupted registry files with new versions.
Once the process is completed, close the window, and try to do your action again. If this process is not able to repair the corrupted registry file then, it is advisable to run a file recovery software to check and restore the corrupted file.
Run a Registry Clean Up
Sometimes, things are not so complicated as it seems to be, so before you go through the advanced repair steps, why not try out simply cleaning the registry.
This step can easily fix issues like “Invalid Registry”, “Duplicate Registry key”, “Missing Registry” and “leftover registry of uninstalled programs” many so.
To do this, download the System Mechanics, which is a complete system optimization tool.
- Click to install the System Mechanics Tool;
- Follow the on-screen instruction to install the program;
- Once the program launches, dashboard click on the “Toolbox” ;
Clean Registry key Of A Program 1
- Choose “Clean” and then select “Registry Cleanup”;
- Now, click on “Analyze Now”, and wait for few seconds, till the analyzing completes;
Clean Registry key Of A Program 2
- It will list all the registry related issues found on the system. Click on the “Clean Selected”;
Clean Registry key Of A Program 3
- Wait for the tool to fix the registry issues.
Clean Registry key Of A Program 4
Run Automatic Repair
Although, we hope the above steps may have fixed the issue, but however there are still other things that you can try fix corrupt registry issue.
If your Windows 10 did not shut down properly or has some start up issues, then the Automatic Repair will help you find such issues and try to fix corrupt registry in Windows 10
To run Automatic Repair, follow the steps:
- To open “Settings” window, click on the windows icon and choose “Setting icon” above the power.
- Now, click on “Update & Security“;
Automatic Repair 1
- From the left menu, choose “Recovery“, under now click on “Restart now“;
- You will get Choose an option window, now click “Troubleshoot“;
- Under the Troubleshoot, you will see “Advanced Options” go to “Automated Repair“;
Automatic Repair 2
- If prompted, login with your admin account; After which Automatic Repair should start. This will take few minutes;
- Once done, you may be asked to reboot your computer, then do so.
Refresh your system
System Refresh actually resets your system default settings, if it is not working smoothly or has some issues. It also allows you to choose either you want to keep your personal files or remove everything. This may help you to fix corrupt registry and other PC problems.
To Refresh your Windows 10 system, follow the steps given below:
- To open “Settings” window, click on the windows icon and choose “Setting icon” above the power.
- Now, click on “Update & Security“;
Refresh Your Windows 10
- From the left menu, choose “Recovery“, under now click on “Get Started“;
- This will open “Reset This PC” window;
Refresh Your Windows 10 step 2
- You can choose either “Keep My Files” or “delete everything“; (deleting everything means your system be same as you bought it, so do carefully)
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Run the DISM command
As defined by Microsoft
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM.exe) is a command-line tool that can be used to service and prepare Windows images, including those used for Windows PE, Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and Windows Setup.
To run DISM command line using Cmd window:
- Open the command prompt window (Administrative Mode); To do so, in the taskbar type “command prompt”. And on right menu, click on “Run As Administrator”;
- Click on “yes” to the user control window.
- On the cmd window, type
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth, Press Enter;
Run the DISM command
- It will begin the scan, and wait till the process is complete.
Fix Corrupt Registry In Windows 10 Using Anti-malware Scan
From all of the above mentioned fixes, one of them will surely to fix corrupt registry issue. But you should make sure to run an anti-malware scan to detect any Adware, Trojan or backdoor kind of threats that may be causing the issue. So, it is better to ensure that your PC is safe and protected.
If you have any anti-malware active, then run a deep scan to find and remove the threats.
We recommend powerful anti-malware like HitmanPro or SpyHunter 5 to successfully remove the virus or malware infection.
