In this guide I am going to give you some practical solutions for the dreaded Registry Error , which sometimes appears while using Windows and, in other more extreme cases, when the computer tries to start up. As is usually the case in these cases, system failures do not always have a single source, so the most effective solutions may vary. In the following sections, I tell you about various procedures that can help restore the normal functioning of your computer. Say goodbye to Registry Error!
Index of contents
- What is Registry Error and why does it appear?
- How to fix a Registry Error if you still have access to the computer
- Uninstall the latest program
- Use the DSIM tool
- Run the SFC command
- Restores to a previous recovery point
- Back up your files and restore the system
- How to fix Registry Error if the system does not load
- Access the Windows recovery menu
- Install Windows 11 from scratch
What is Registry Error and why does it appear?
Registry Error is a term that refers to problems within the Windows Registry, which is the central database where the operating system stores settings and options for the correct functioning of the entire environment. These failures can arise for various reasons. For example, it is common for improper installation or uninstallation of programs to have a negative influence on the registry, leaving obsolete or damaged entries.
Another reason why it may show you an error of this type is due to infection by malware or a virus . There are those that are designed to corrupt the Registry, causing errors that affect the performance of the system or even prevent it from turning on completely.
Finally, hardware failures can prevent the operating system from reading the registry correctly and cause the Registry Error that I am talking about to appear. I am referring to things like hard drive errors , causing corruption of the file system and, therefore, the database known as the Windows Registry.
Now that you know the most common causes that cause a Registry Error, let’s talk about the symptoms. In this case, like the origin, they can also vary. To begin with, you may notice that your computer is very slow and that some applications do not run correctly. Additionally, it is easy for this failure to cause a blue screen of death (BSOD) , which would indicate that the problem would be very serious.
How to fix a Registry Error if you still have access to the computer
In the event that you can still access the computer, even occasionally and between blue screens, there are some actions that you should try in order to solve the registration problem. Below, I explain them in greater detail.
Uninstall the latest program
If problems with the Registry started after installing a specific program , uninstalling it may be the solution. To do so, follow these steps:
- Open Windows Settings .
- Select Applications.
- Click Installed Apps.
- Look for the program you installed that is theoretically causing the problems.
- Right click on it and click Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the program.
Use the DSIM tool
The DSIM tool is a command-line utility that can repair Windows components, including the Registry. Follow these steps to use it:
- In Windows Search, type CMD.
- Do not press Enter. Instead, select Run as administrator.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Let the DSIM tool run and complete the process.
- Restart the computer
Run the SFC command
System File Checker (SFC) is another command-line tool that checks and repairs corrupted system files. It is recommended that you follow these steps after running DSIM:
- Open a CMD window running with administrator privileges.
- Type the command sfc /scannow
- Press Enter and let the command run.
- Be patient, because completing the entire process may take some time.
- Then restart your computer.
Restores to a previous recovery point
Restoring the system to a previous recovery point can revert recent changes and fix registry problems. Follow these steps:
- Go to Settingsin Windows.
- Go to System > Informationand click on System Protection .
- Next, in the pop-up window, click on System Restore.
- Follow the on-screen steps to select a restore point.
It is important to emphasize that Windows usually makes restore points automatically , without the user needing to do anything. This usually happens when updates or programs are installed on the computer. You can take advantage of any of these points to recover a previous state of your PC.
Back up your files and restore the system
If none of the above solutions work, backing up your files and restoring the system may be the last option. Follow these steps:
- Back up yourimportant files to an external device. You can also use some of the best cloud storage services . Likewise, it is advisable to write down those configurations that you want to replicate in the new installation.
- Go to Settingsin Windows.
- Click on System > Recovery > Reset your computer.
- Click Remove all.
- Choose the type of installation. If you ask the wizard to download Windows from the cloud, you’ll get the latest version.
- Finish the procedure and wait for the computer to reset.
How to fix Registry Error if the system does not load
In the event that the Registry Error does not allow the system to start, there are two possible solutions that you should consider. Here you have them.
Access the Windows recovery menu
If your computer does not start up correctly, you can access the Windows recovery menu to try to fix the problem. From this menu, you can run the DSIM and SFC tools from the system console. Follow these steps to access the recovery menu.
To enter, restart your computer and wait for the Windows logo to appear. Then, during the boot process, repeatedly press the F8 key or Shift + F8 to access the advanced boot options menu. From there, choose Repair your computer and select Command Prompt . Run the DSIM and SFC commands and restart the computer.
Install Windows 11 from scratch
If problems persist and your computer does not turn on properly, it may be necessary to perform a clean install of Windows 11 . To do this, you will need a bootable USB with the system installation image. This procedure will erase everything on your computer, so it is vital that you check if you have a backup. Next, I leave you some links that will help you in this case:
- How to create a multiboot USB with multiple Linux distributions . It will help you boot Linux in live mode to try to recover your files from the main drive.
- Install Windows 11 through your pendrive, make it bootable! Guide to create Windows bootable USB.
- How to install Windows 11 from a USB . Complete guide that shows you how to install Windows 11 step by step.
And you, have you managed to recover the system after the Registry Error? Tell us how you did it and participate in our community. We read you!