Fix Broken Registry Items & Keys in Windows 11

Broken registry items in Windows 11 can slow down your PC, cause errors, and affect overall performance. These entries often remain after uninstalling software or due to system crashes and malware. While newer systems may not need fixing, older laptops and desktops should regularly clean or repair the registry. You can use built-in Windows tools or manually edit the registry with the Registry Editor to remove broken entries and improve stability.

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

   

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

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

   

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

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

6. 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

1. Right-click the Start button on the taskbar to bring up the menu below.
   
2. Select Run on that menu.
3. Type the following command in Run’s Open box: cleanmgr.exe
4. Click OK to open the Disk Clean-up window.
5. Press the Clean up system files button on that window.
   
6. Select all the file checkboxes in Disk Clean-up.
7. Click the OK button to open the dialog box.
   
8. Press the Delete Files button on that dialog box.

3. Use Startup Repair

1. Click Start on the taskbar.
2. Then click the Power button on the Start menu.
3. Press and hold the Shift key and click Restart.
   
4. Next, select Troubleshoot on the Choose an option menu that opens.
   
5. Click the Advanced options button.
   
6. Select Startup Repair on the Advanced options menu.
   
7. Choose an account to apply the startup repair to, and then enter the password for it.
8. Press the Continue button.

4. Roll back Windows with System Restore

1. Right-click Start on the taskbar to select the Run shortcut.
2. Now type this text in Run’s window and click OK: rstrui
3. Select the Choose a different restore point radio button if the System Restore utility displays it.
4. Press the Next option to open the window that you can see below.
   
5. If the Show more restore points option is available, select that checkbox.
6. Then choose the restore point that goes the furthest back, which will fix the most broken registry items.
7. Click Next to proceed to the confirmation step.
8. Select the Finish option to confirm your chosen restore point.

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

NOTE

Keep in mind that you’ll need to reinstall the software that didn’t come preinstalled after applying the below procedure, therefore a backup is recommended.

1. First, click Start and Settings to bring up the tab that you can see below.
   
2. Then select Recovery on that tab.
3. Press the Reset PC button.
   
4. Select the Keep my files option in the Reset this PC window.
5. Next, select either Cloud download or Local reinstall according to your preference.
6. Click Reset to confirm.

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:

1. Bring up the search box by clicking the magnifying glass taskbar icon in Windows 11.
2. Type regedit within the search box.
3. Click Registry Editor in the search results to open its window.
   
4. Right-click the Computer icon at the top of the registry hierarchy to select Export.
   
5. Type Registry Backup in the File name box.
6. Choose a folder to save the Registry Backup file in.
7. Click the Save button.

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.

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