Broken registry items accumulate after users uninstall software and apps, which leaves behind redundant entries. Registry entries can also become corrupted due to abrupt system shutdowns (due to power outages for example) and malware. So, maybe you should consider fixing broken registry items in Windows 11. If your PC is relatively new, you probably don’t need to. However, users with older desktops and laptops should consider repairing broken registry items with the methods below. Can I edit the registry in Windows 11? The registry is a database of configuration settings for Windows and third-party software. It incorporates a multitude of registry keys that store values, settings, and other data for both software and hardware. The Registry Editor is a utility that enables you to manually edit keys and values within the database. With this tool, feel free to modify registry keys’ string values or delete keys entirely. Therefore, you can customize Windows 11, and other platforms, in many ways by editing the registry. For example, you can add a new DWORD value (TaskbarSi) to the Advanced registry key to resize Windows 11’s taskbar. Software errors can arise due to corrupted or misconfigured registry items. Therefore, editing the registry can also fix numerous software issues. Windows 11 and 10 include the same set of system tools that can fix registry issues. Those system tools will either erase or fix broken registry items. This is how you fix broken registry entries with those utilities.

How do I fix a corrupt registry in Windows 11?

1. Run deployment image and system file scans

The detailed guide below can help you run effective Command Prompt commands in order to identify the issues with your Registry files.

  1. First, click the Search utility’s taskbar button.

  2. Type cmd in the search text box to find the Command Prompt.

  3. Click the Run as administrator option for the Command Prompt.

  4. Now input this command within the Prompt’s window and hit Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

  5. When the first scan has finished, input this system file command and press Enter: sfc /scannow

  6. Wait for the system file scan to reach 100 percent and display an outcome message. Then you can close the Command Prompt’s window.

2. Run the Disk Cleanup tool

3. Use Startup Repair

4. Roll back Windows with System Restore

Rolling Windows back to a restore point will remove software installed after its specified date. You’ll probably have to reinstall some software if you implement this method. Click Scan for affected changes in System Restore to check what software a restore point removes. This will restore a snapshot of your PC’s registry for a chosen restore point date. By doing so, it will remove broken registry items that emerged after the specified date.

5. Reset your PC

How can I back up the registry?

Backing up the registry won’t fix any broken items that already exist. However, restoring a backup copy of it can resolve registry issues that might arise from corrupted entries in the future. You can manually back up the registry via Registry Editor as follows: Thereafter, you can restore the registry backup by clicking File, then Import in the Registry Editor. Select your backup file in the window that opens. Then click Open to restore it.

Can I use third-party registry cleaner tools in Windows 11?

There are loads of system maintenance software that incorporate registry cleaner tools for your OS. Those utilities scan the Windows registry and remove redundant and broken registry entries. However, bear in mind that Microsoft has just officially released Windows 11. Some publishers might need to update their registry cleaners for Windows 11 compatibility. So, it might be better to wait until the end of 2021 to start utilizing third-party tools in that platform. Microsoft also has a support policy page about third-party registry cleaners. There the big M makes it pretty clear it doesn’t support the utilization of third-party registry cleaners for Windows. That page states the following: So, make sure you utilize one of the most reputable third-party registry cleaners or none at all. For instance, Fortect is one of the most inspiring choices, supporting all Windows versions. Microsoft is not responsible for issues caused by using a registry cleaning utility. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the use of a registry cleaning utility can be solved. Some publishers state their registry cleaners majestically enhance PC performance. Such marketing hype is usually somewhat exaggerated. Nevertheless, the best third-party registry cleaners efficiently remove redundant registry entries left from uninstalled software. However, additional registry cleaner software is hardly essential. The methods above for fixing broken registry items with Windows’ built-in system tools will be sufficient. Repairing broken registry items can potentially speed up Windows 11 a bit and will resolve issues that arise from them. The erasure of broken registry items can also free up some (but maybe not a lot) hard drive space. So, it’s recommended that users sometimes at least run Disk Clean-up, deployment image, and system file scans for registry maintenance purposes. Resetting or restoring Windows is only recommended for registry troubleshooting. What do you think about the above procedures? Let us know if you managed to fix broken registry items in Windows 11 by using the comments area below.

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