Your registry is where the operating system remembers what to do with all the applications that are installed on the machine. It can build up unnecessary entries over time from the adding/removing of programs and files. This can cause major performance problems and even the odd crash or two. It's best to keep your PC's registry healthy and it's quite easy to do.

We would recommend CCleaner if you want to use a good, free cleaner. If you use CCleaner, all you need to do is open the program, click the "issues" tab on the left, click "Scan for Issues", and then click "Fix Selected Issues". It will ask you if you want to make a backup of the registry before it fixes the issues. Make sure that you make this backup. I have never had anything go wrong when using CCleaner, but you never know what could happen in the world of computers. After CCleaner is done fixing the selected issues, you are all set.

CCleaner has a few other good tools such as a tool to clear out temporary internet files, recycling bin, etc. This is a good first step if you need to free up hard drive space. I would recommend cleaning up the registry every time you run a spyware check. I try to do this once a month at the very least.

Download CCleaner here for free