What does 'defragmenting' my registry mean?
I keep seeing 'registry cleaner' and 'registry defrag' programs advertised, claiming they'll speed up my computer. What is the Windows registry? Is it really full of junk that slows things down? Are these registry cleaner programs legitimate or are they scams? Could they break my computer?
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4 Answers
The best resource for this kind of thing is Tom's Hardware forums. Someone has almost certainly had your exact problem and posted a solution. The community there is really knowledgeable and helpful.
I'd recommend trying the free solution first before spending money. Nine times out of ten, the free option works just as well as the paid one. Only upgrade to paid software if the free version doesn't meet your needs.
I build computers for a living and can tell you that most of these problems come down to three things: not enough RAM, outdated drivers, or malware. Check those first before spending money on new hardware.
Newegg is your friend for parts. Way cheaper than Best Buy or CompUSA and the customer reviews actually help you avoid junk. Just watch out for shipping on heavy stuff like CRT monitors. Read the reviews before you buy ANYTHING.
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