User manual

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Area
Description
Programs
via entries in the startup section of the registry. When such programs are uninstalled, these
entries are often not deleted.
File Types
Entries in this area of the registry link one or more file extensions (e.g. .txt or .doc) with various
information (such as the program that should be used to open them). Such entries can become
invalid through the uninstallation of programs, for example.
Database
Drivers
During installation, some programs store entries on database drivers and data sources in the
registry. These entries can become invalid through the uninstallation of these programs or the
moving or deletion of individual data sources. Often, invalid entries are created during installation
itself.
Common
Files
This part of the registry contains references to files and program libraries (DLLs), to which several
programs normally require access. When such programs are uninstalled, these entries are often
not deleted.
Help Files
Many programs record in the registry the location of their help files. When such programs are
uninstalled, these entries are often not deleted.
Installed
Programs
Every program leaves behind an entry in this area of the registry. The list of all programs in the
Control Panel is compiled from these entries. When programs are uninstalled, these entries are
often not deleted and inconsistencies arise in this list.
Program
Settings
Each program installed on the computer can create entries with program-specific information in
the registry (e.g. data or program paths). When programs are uninstalled, these entries are often
not deleted.
Program
Extensions
This area of the registry contains references to extensions such as audio and video codecs or
Internet Explorer add-ons that enhance the functionality of individual programs (e.g. with new
menu entries or new toolbar entries). If these programs or extensions are uninstalled, these
entries are often not deleted.
Program
Components
Many Windows programs access ActiveX and COM components using entries in this area of the
registry. These entries are created when programs like this are installed, but are often not deleted
during uninstallation. Some programs even create invalid entries during installation.
Program
Paths
The installation folders of some programs are stored in the registry to allow these programs to be
run directly via "Start -> Run". When such programs are uninstalled, these entries are often not
deleted.
Fonts
Windows stores entries in this area of the registry for all fonts installed on your computer. Since
these entries are often not deleted when fonts are uninstalled, Windows tries in vain to load these
fonts every time the system starts up.
History Lists
Windows and many programs have history lists, which log, for example, which files you were last
working on. These are stored in the registry as references. By deleting or moving the files, these
entries become invalid.
Windows
Firewall
The Windows firewall saves the programs that may accept incoming network connections and
stores an entry for each one in the registry. These entries can become incorrect or invalid if, for
example, one of these programs is uninstalled.