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How to restore the Registry using Command Prompt in Windows 7, 8.1 10 and 11

While using your PC, have you ever noted programs freezing or crashing without warning, your system running slowly, and your computer sometimes shutting down for no reason?

If yes, your device has registry errors which you'll need to fix. But now, do you think you could go about it? There are so many ways; however, fixing the mistake in CMD is the most reliable.

If this sounds new to you, don't worry; this guiding post will focus on "how to fix registry errors in CMD" so that you can manage such errors on your own without incurring seeking expert help.

What are Registry Errors?

The registry is a database that stores information about the files on your computer. When errors occur in the registry, it is called a registry error.

These errors often manifest as random glitches and system crash. They can be caused by everything from installing new software to making changes to your system settings.

In most cases, registry errors are repairable using various techniques; however, this guide focuses on using the built-in Windows Command Prompt (CMD) utility. Continue reading this detailed post to find out how it is done.

What are The Common Causes of Registry Errors?

There are several reasons why your computer might experience registry errors. Some of the more common causes are:

• Installing and uninstalling programs

Every time you install or uninstall a program, entries are added or removed from your registry. If these entries are not added or removed correctly, it can cause errors.

• Accidental deletion

One of the most common causes of registry errors is accidental deletion. This can happen if you delete a registry key by mistake or use a third-party registry cleaner that is not well-designed and causes problems.

• Malware

Malware, such as viruses, worms, and trojans, can also cause registry errors. These malicious programs can corrupt or delete registry keys, leading to mistakes.

• Improper shutdown

If you don't properly shut down your computer, it can lead to registry errors. This is because when you shut down your computer, any unsaved changes to the registry are not saved and can cause problems when you restart your computer.

• Hardware failures

The next and last one is hardware failures. This is one of the rare causes of registry errors, but it can happen. If your hard drive or another piece of hardware fails, it can corrupt the registry and cause errors.

These are some of the more common causes of registry errors. If you are experiencing registry errors, fixing them as soon as possible is essential. Otherwise, they can lead to more severe problems, such as system instability and data loss.

Understanding CMD - What it is and How it Works

To fix registry error issues with CMD, you'll need to understand what it is and how it works. CMD stands for Command Prompt, a built-in Windows application that allows you to run commands to repair various issues on your computer.

One of the best things about CMD is its easy use. In most cases, you can fix registry errors just by typing a few commands and pressing Enter - it's that easy, but please make sure you follow the procedure correctly, or else you will worsen the problem!

How To Detect Registry Errors in CMD

Now that we've looked at what registry errors are and how they can occur in your devices, let's take a quick look at how we can detect them in CMD.

The first thing you'll need to do is open the Command Prompt (ensure you have administrator privileges). You can search for CMD in the Start menu (Windows 10) or by running CMD from the Run dialog box (Windows 7 and earlier).

You can as well open CMD by dialing Window Key + R. Once CMD is open, you'll need to run the following command:

Sfc /scannow

The command scans your device registry for errors and displays a list of any (if found). Generally, you can expect the following after running this command;

• It can find registry errors and fix them.

• It can find no errors at all.

• It can find mistakes and fail to correct them

How To Fix Registry Errors in CMD?

The first thing you need to do is open CMD. To do so, use your keyboard to dial the Windows key + R. This opens the Run window. Now, key in "cmd" and hit Enter.

Once you're in CMD, you need to type the following command;

Method 1

-Type the “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth command>” and dial Enter.

Please wait for the process to complete; it should repair your device's corrupted registry.

Method 2

-regsvr32 /u *

This command will unregister any DLL files causing errors in your registry.

-credit

This command will open the Registry Editor, where you can manually remove invalid entries.

-SFC /scannow

The command scans your computer system for all the harmful files and possibly replaces them with functioning copies.

-rstrui

This command will restore your registry to a previous working state.

If you still have issues with your registry after trying these commands, you may need to install Windows clean. This will delete your registry and start fresh, so back up your data first.

Risk Assessments for Repairing Registry Errors in CMD

Before you start any registry repair, it's always a good idea to do a risk assessment. This means you must consider what could go wrong and the consequences.

The risks associated with registry repair include the following:

- Making registry changes without a backup can result in data loss. If this happens, you will not be able to restore your computer to its previous state.

- Changes made to the registry can cause instability and other problems. If this happens, you may need to reinstall your operating system.

- Incorrectly editing the registry can delete important files or corrupt your system. This can make your computer unusable and require you to reinstall your operating system.

So, as you can see, there are some risks involved with registry repair. However, if you take the necessary precautions, such as creating a backup of your registry before making any changes, then you should be able to avoid any problems.

Best Practices for Preventing Future Registry Errors in CMD

Now that you know how to fix registry errors in CMD, you might be wondering how you can prevent them from happening in the first place. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help avoid registry errors:

• Could you keep your registry clean?

This can be done manually or with the help of a registry cleaner tool. Either way, it's wise to remove any unwanted or unnecessary entries from your registry regularly.

• Fix any existing errors

As mentioned, fixing existing errors in your registry before adding new entries is very important. Otherwise, you could end up corrupting your registry and causing more problems.

• Back up your Registry

Before making any changes to your registry, it's always a good idea to back it up. You can restore your registry from the backup if anything goes wrong and avoid any potential issues.

• Protecting your device from malware

If you remember, we mentioned viruses and malware as the possible causes of registry errors. So if you are looking to deal with everything that can deal with these errors, you must deal with viruses and malware. This involves installing or updating your anti-virus program and running regular scans.

• Repairing or replacing hardware

Hardware failure is yet another common cause of registry errors. If you suspect your hardware is to blame, you can try repairing or replacing the affected component.

• Use power backup

A Sudden power loss can cause a sudden shutdown, especially when using a PC without power backup. As we aforementioned, a sudden shutdown can cause issues due to unsaved changes to the registry. By using a power backup, you will avoid this problem.

Common Questions Surrounding Registry Errors

The following are some common questions most people have regarding registry errors. You can go through them and find answers to your burning questions.

Can I repair registry errors myself?

When it comes to registry errors, the simple answer is yes, and you can repair them yourself-but. There is a caveat. If you are uncomfortable working in the Windows Registry, leave it to the professional.

However, if you are comfortable working in the registry and are willing to take the risk, follow the steps in this guide, and you should be able to fix most registry errors.

What are some of the most common registry errors?

Common registry errors include missing or corrupt files, invalid entries, and orphaned keys. These errors can be fixed by following the steps in this guide. However, if you still have issues after following all the steps, it's best to consult a professional.

Conclusion

Now, if you're experiencing registry errors and have tried other repair methods without success, it's time to try CMD. Just follow our guide on "How To Fix Registry Errors in Cmd," and you'll be on your way to a smooth-running PC in no time. If you can't find help after following this guide keenly (and probably trying other methods), you can move on to seek professional help.