What is the Windows registry?

If you hear the word "registry," you might think of china, flatware or maybe a shiny new blender for a bride and groom. However, regarding computers, a registry is something altogether different.

The Windows registry is a blueprint of your computer. It is stored on your computer in several files and records the relationship between your hardware, the Windows operating system, available memory and programs. When you perform tasks like making changes to the Control Panels or installing or removing programs, the registry stores this information.

Information is stored in the registry in a tree structure. "Keys" contain information and can be thought of kind of like folders on your computer. The information stored with the keys is called a "value."

The Windows operating system refers continually to the registry during its operation. The Windows registry informs programs or the operating system about the location of the resources it needs to perform certain tasks. With all of its information about programs and settings, the registry can grow to be exceptionally large and complex.

As the registry expands and changes, problems can arise. If programs and drivers are not uninstalled properly, then useless files can be left behind. This can turn your computer's "blueprint," into a confusing, cluttered and incorrect diagram. A poorly organized registry, hurt by unused applications and broken drivers, can slow your computer down or even cause it to freeze and crash.

Your Windows registry is much more complex than a wedding registry of toasters and spoons. Keeping it clean will help your computer perform at its very best.