How to Fix Broken Registry Items

The registry is a database that stores settings for virtually almost everything on a Windows system like user password, driver info, operating system settings, and other data information. The registry’s responsibility is to save all the settings in individual storage space and inside a database for unified system settings. Those setup settings stand for using values inside the registry, and this process is way faster than parsing a text file-in this way registry can be used for more purposes including settings. Accessing the registry item is almost instant because all of the registry items are read into memory every time the system boots. So, it’s important to fix broken registry items.

The windows operating system has kept adding on layers upon layers of system functionality over the passing years for increasing the efficiency, security, or another improvement. And this makes windows the most ancient operating software. Windows operating system passed many years, and it changed and modified itself. But over the times, there is one item that has been using and so-called the backbone of this operating system that helps to run the whole operation, and the Windows registry is it. The registry item is the special storage place where almost all the items are stored. It stores data information in almost every application, files, drivers, user passwords, settings, and the Windows running programs.   

Causes of Broken Registry Items

In the Windows operating system, the registry considers as a large database which contains user password, system settings, operation options, driver information, and other information of hardware and the installed program on your computer. The windows registry plays a vital role to operate the system. It has two kinds of basic elements– keys and values in the registry. The operating system will always refer to the registry to get the relevant keys and values to install new software, to change the system, and to open a program. If you want to modify the program or want to improve performance, you can use the Windows registry editor (Regedit). You can also tweak the registry to improve FPS and the overall gaming experience.

The possible causes for broken registry items are given below:

• Malware and viruses: malware can cause a registry problem. Even after the malware has been removed, the remnants of it may still exist, and it still can affect registry items. It may cause slowdown and error messages. Viruses also cause the registry problem. Viruses will make frequent attacks and modify the system registry. Using an antivirus in threats can help.
• Fragmented Registry: registry fragments are like duplicate keys. When you upgrade or uninstall any kind of program software, it may be caused by an error.
• System shutdown error: the system memory will save a copy of your windows registry, every time you turn off your computer. But, if your computer unexpectedly shuts down or crashes, that may cause a serious problem.

How to Fix Broken Registry Items

If you encounter a broken registry items error, you need to know how to fix broken registry items. To fix broken registry items, you need to refer to the following methods:

Using Automatic Repair

The automatic repair option is available on the newer version of Microsoft Windows, and it’s very compatible for users. By using this feature, you can fix the broken registry items ad can repair corrupted registry keys and invalid keys. To fix broken registry items by using automatic repair, please refer to the following steps:

Step 1: first of all, you need to press the windows icon on the bottom left corner of the screen to open the start menu.

Step 2: click on the settings option which has the gear shape icon on it. The windows settings will come, enter its main interface.

Step 3: on the windows setting’s menu, you need to click on the Update & security option. The windows update prompt will come.

Step 4: from the left site option list of this window, you need to find the recovery option. Please make you that you are on the recovery tab.

Step 5: now, you need to find the advanced startup section on the right side of the recovery window. Click on the restart now key on the advanced setup section.

Step 6: you need to wait for a little while and a list of options will come. From this option list, you need to click on the troubleshooting.

Step 7: you should click on the advanced options to continue.

Step 8: now click on the automatic repair/ startup repair option.

Step 9: after you get into the automatic repair mode, you will be asked to enter the recovery key to get going again, and then click on the continue option.

If you finished all the setup perfectly, the automatic repair/startup repair will start working on your computer, and it may restart your computer during this process.

Using System Restore

System restore is another way to fix broken registry items on windows 10. The system restore can revert the system’s registry to a restore point where the registries were not broken. When you enabled the system restore function, windows will automatically create a restore point whenever users make some major changes to their system. To fix broken registry items by using system restore, please refer to the following steps:

Step 1: first of all, you need to click on the windows icon on the bottom left corner of the screen to open the start menu.

Step 2: on the search bar, you should type the control panel to find out the app. Click on the control panel app to open the interface.

Step 3: you need to type recovery on the control panel’s search bar to easily find out the recovery option. Click on the recovery option.

Step 4: click on the open system restore option which on the advance recovery tools section.

Step 5: the system restore window prompt will come. In the restore system files and settings portion, click on the Next button on the bottom of the window. 

Step 6: you should select a restore point that you want to use from the list. Now select the scan for affected programs option to check programs and the driver will be deleted and might be restored. Of you sure about that, click close to continue. Your files will safe.

Step 7: click on the Next button.

Step 8: you need to check the information page carefully to confirm about restore point and finally click on the finish button.

Now, system restore will start to restore your system, and this process may take a few minutes. After that, your computer will restart. The system will be restored to a point where your registers were not broken.

Using System File Checker

You can fix the broken registry items with a system file checker. A system check is a built-in tool for Windows 10. This tool searches for the missing or corrupted file in the system directory and helps to fix the items. This method performs in Windows 10 to repair the registry through the Command prompt. The steps of fixing registry items using the system file checker are given below:

Step 1: First, you have to go to the search engine and type cmd or Command Prompt in the search box.

Step 2: Then, you have right-clicked on the Command Prompt and from the menu, you have to select Run as administrator.

Step 3: When you enter the command interface, you have to type command sfc/scannow and have to press Enter. After this, the protected system files will be scan and the damaged files will be replaced with cached copies.

Using the Dism Command

It is easy to fix the registry items with the DISM command. Sometimes, you need to perform some additional steps to repair the registry items. When the system checker fails to fix the problem, you can run the DISM command to scan your computer.

Step 1: First, you have to run the Command Prompt with administrator rights.

Step 2: Then, you have to type DLSM/Online/Cleanup-Image/ScanHealth command and press Enter.

You have to wait to finish the scanning process and to fix the problem.

By Resetting Windows System

There is a reset function on your PC. Its function allows you to remove everything from your computer. This process may fix the broken registry items.

Step 1: First, you have to get into the Recovery interface. This option is under Settings.

Step 2: Then, you have to click Get started under Reset this PC option.

Step 3: Now, there are options. If you choose to keep my files, the system will only remove the apps and settings and keep your files. And if you choose to Remove everything, The system will remove everything along with your data.

Step 4: Next, you have to choose Just remove my files or Remove files and clean the drive.

Step 5: Finally, you have to read the resetting information carefully and click Reset to start the process to fix the problem.

Conclusion

There are many methods to fix the registry items on your device. Sometimes, the same method for the same problem doesn’t work for all operating systems. So, if one method won’t fix the issue, you have to try another to fix the problem.