How does the registry become corrupted/cluttered?
• Every time you install software, install hardware, or change Control Panel settings (such as the appearance of your desktop), more data is added to the registry. • When programs are incompletely installed or uninstalled, invalid and obsolete entries are left behind, leading to linkage and compatibility problems. • Even for programs that are thoroughly uninstalled, the old registry keys are deleted but the registry does not get smaller; rather, the old entries leave gaps and the registry becomes larger, fragmented, and inefficient. • Spyware and dangerous software, installed without your knowledge, often hide themselves inside the registry.
