Uninstalling a Windows application does not always remove every trace of the software. Depending on how the program was installed and designed, leftover registry keys, configuration data, services, startup entries, file associations, folders, scheduled tasks, or an orphaned entry in Installed apps may remain.

These leftovers can become particularly troublesome when you are trying to:

• Reinstall the same software
• Upgrade to a newer version
• Remove an application that no longer has a working uninstaller
• Fix duplicate entries in Installed apps
• Remove an old or invalid software version
• Reset corrupted application settings
• Troubleshoot an installer that incorrectly reports that the software is already installed
• Remove an obsolete startup entry
• Clean up an incomplete or failed installation

Windows Registry Editor (regedit.exe) can help remove these entries, but registry editing should normally be considered an advanced troubleshooting procedure, not the first method of uninstalling software.

Important: Deleting a program's registry entry does NOT necessarily uninstall the program. It may simply remove Windows' record of the program while leaving the executable files, services, drivers, scheduled tasks, and other components installed.

What Is the Windows Registry?

The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database used by Windows and many desktop applications to store system and application configuration information.

Common registry hives include:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM)

Contains computer-wide configuration information.

Software installed for all users frequently stores configuration under:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE

HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU)

Contains settings belonging to the currently signed-in Windows user.

Per-user applications commonly store information under:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR)

Contains information related to file associations, COM registrations, shell extensions, protocols, and other application integration.

HKEY_USERS (HKU)

Contains registry data for user profiles loaded on the computer.

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC)

Contains information about the current hardware configuration.

An application can therefore have registry information in several locations rather than one single "software registry key."

First Rule: Try the Normal Uninstaller Before Editing the Registry

Before manually deleting anything, try uninstalling the application through Windows.

In Windows 11:

Start → Settings → Apps → Installed apps

Locate the application, click the three-dot menu, and select:

Uninstall

You can also use the traditional interface:

Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features

Select the program and choose:

Uninstall / Change

If the application's own uninstaller still works, this is almost always preferable to manually deleting its registry entries.

Manual registry cleanup is most useful when the normal uninstall process has failed or has already completed but left an invalid entry behind.

Important: Registry Deletion Is Not the Same as Software Uninstallation

This distinction is extremely important.

Suppose you delete:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SomeProgram

The application may disappear from Installed apps or Programs and Features, but files such as:

C:\Program Files\SomeProgram\

may still exist.

The application's:

• Windows services
• Drivers
• Scheduled tasks
• Startup components
• ProgramData files
• AppData files
• DLL files
• Browser extensions
• Licensing components

may also remain.

Therefore, don't delete the uninstall entry simply because you want to uninstall an otherwise functioning program. Use the application's uninstaller first.

Before Editing the Registry: Create a Backup

Incorrect registry changes can damage applications or Windows itself.

Before deleting an application key, back up the specific key whenever possible.

Backup a Specific Registry Key

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type:

regedit

3. Press Enter.
4. Approve the User Account Control prompt if displayed.
5. Navigate to the registry key you intend to modify.
6. Right-click the key.
7. Select Export.
8. Enter a meaningful filename such as:

SoftwareName-Before-Removal.reg

9. Save the file somewhere safe.

This is generally more practical than exporting the entire Registry when you are changing only one application key.

Restoring the Registry Key

If you discover that the key was needed:

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Select File → Import.
3. Select the .reg backup.

Alternatively, double-clicking a trusted .reg backup can merge its contents back into the Registry.

Only import registry files that you trust and whose contents you understand.

Recommended Additional Protection: Create a Restore Point

Before extensive registry cleanup, consider creating a Windows restore point if System Protection is enabled.

Search Windows for:

Create a restore point

Select the Windows system drive and choose:

Create

Give the restore point a descriptive name, for example:

Before Software Registry Cleanup

A restore point can provide an additional recovery option if system configuration is accidentally damaged.

Method 1: Find the Main Windows Uninstall Registry Entry

One of the most important registry locations for traditional desktop software is:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

This location contains registration information used by many installed applications.

Expand the Uninstall key.

You may see subkeys with readable names such as:

Google Chrome

or GUID-style names such as:

{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}

A GUID-style name is common with applications installed using Windows Installer/MSI packages.

Do not delete an unfamiliar GUID simply because you don't recognize it.

How to Identify the Correct Software Entry

Select an individual subkey and inspect the values in the right pane.

Useful values can include:

DisplayName

The application's displayed name.

Example:

DisplayName = Example Application

This is one of the best values for identifying the program.

DisplayVersion

Shows the installed application version.

Example:

DisplayVersion = 8.2.1

This is particularly useful if several versions of the same software are present.

Publisher

Identifies the software publisher.

Example:

Publisher = Example Software Ltd.

InstallLocation

May show the program's installation directory.

Example:

C:\Program Files\Example Software\

InstallDate

May contain installation or servicing date information.

UninstallString

This is especially important.

It specifies the command Windows can use to invoke the application's uninstaller.

An MSI-based application might have a command associated with its Windows Installer product code, while a traditional EXE installer may point to something similar to:

C:\Program Files\Example\uninstall.exe

QuietUninstallString

Some applications also provide a command intended for silent or unattended removal.

Before deleting the registry key, check these values carefully to make sure you have found the correct program.

Method 2: Check 32-Bit Software on 64-Bit Windows

On a 64-bit version of Windows, many 32-bit applications are registered under:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Therefore, when an application cannot be found under the normal HKLM Uninstall location, check the WOW6432Node location.

This is especially useful for older accounting software, utilities, business applications, legacy programs, and other 32-bit desktop applications.

Method 3: Check Per-User Installed Applications

Not every program is installed system-wide.

Applications installed only for the current Windows user may be registered under:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

This location is easy to overlook.

It becomes particularly important on:

• Multi-user computers
• RDS/Terminal Servers
• Shared office computers
• Applications installed without administrator rights
• Programs installed independently by individual Windows users

If a program appears for one Windows user but not another, investigate the HKCU registry location.

Major Uninstall Registry Locations to Check

For most traditional desktop applications, check these locations:

64-bit/System-Wide Applications

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

32-bit Applications on 64-bit Windows

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Per-User Applications

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Do not assume every application must appear in all three locations.

Method 4: Remove an Orphaned Program from Installed Apps

A common problem occurs when an application has already been manually deleted but still appears under:

Settings → Apps → Installed apps

or:

Control Panel → Programs and Features

Example:

You deleted:

C:\Program Files\OldSoftware

but OldSoftware 5.0 still appears in Windows.

When you click Uninstall, Windows may display an error such as:

• File not found
• Uninstaller missing
• Setup.exe cannot be located
• Uninstall failed
• The specified module could not be found

In this situation, the application's uninstall registration may be orphaned.

Procedure

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Check the three Uninstall locations described above.
3. Find the application using DisplayName.
4. Confirm Publisher, DisplayVersion, InstallLocation, and UninstallString.
5. Export the specific application key as a backup.
6. Right-click the application's subkey.
7. Select Delete.
8. Confirm deletion.
9. Close and reopen Windows Settings or Programs and Features.

The invalid application entry should normally disappear.

Again, this procedure removes the registration entry. It should not be treated as a complete software uninstall.

Method 5: Search the Registry for Leftover Application Entries

After a program has been properly uninstalled, some configuration entries may remain.

To search:

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Select Computer at the top of the tree.
3. Press:

Ctrl + F

4. Search for a distinctive value such as:

• Exact product name
• Publisher name
• Executable filename
• Unique installation folder
• Product GUID

5. Examine the result carefully.
6. If it clearly belongs only to the removed application, export the key before deleting it.
7. Press:

F3

to find the next occurrence.

Do Not Blindly Delete Every Search Result

This is one of the most dangerous registry-cleaning mistakes.

A product name may occur in:

• Shared components
• File associations
• Windows Installer data
• Another application
• Event information
• Compatibility settings
• Application history
• Shared COM components

Every result must be evaluated individually.

Method 6: Check Application Configuration Keys

Traditional Windows applications frequently keep configuration under:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software

and:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE

Look for a folder belonging to the application's publisher or product.

For example:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VendorName\ProductName

or:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VendorName\ProductName

These keys may contain:

• Window positions
• User preferences
• Server names
• Database paths
• Update settings
• Recent file lists
• Application configuration
• Feature settings

Removing these keys may effectively reset the application's configuration.

However, exercise extra caution with:

• Licensing information
• Activation information
• Certificates
• Encryption keys
• Database connection settings

Deleting licensing data does not necessarily reset a legitimate software license and can instead create activation problems.

Method 7: Check Leftover Startup Entries

An uninstalled program can sometimes leave an invalid startup entry.

Common locations include:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

and, on 64-bit Windows:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Look at the command/path stored in the value.

For example:

C:\Program Files\OldSoftware\OldSoftware.exe

If the application no longer exists and you have confirmed that the startup entry is obsolete, the individual value can be removed.

Do not delete the entire Run registry key.

Delete only the confirmed application's value.

Method 8: Check for Leftover Windows Services

Some applications install Windows services.

Services are registered primarily under:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

However, do not routinely delete service registry keys manually.

First open:

services.msc

and identify the service.

Check:

• Service name
• Display name
• Executable path
• Publisher/application relationship

A service may belong to:

• Antivirus software
• Backup software
• Database software
• VPN clients
• Printer software
• Hardware drivers
• Licensing systems
• Remote-access software
• Monitoring applications

Deleting the wrong service entry can cause serious problems.

Whenever possible, remove a service through the software's supported uninstaller or documented service-removal procedure.

Method 9: Check File Associations Carefully

Applications can register file extensions and protocols.

Examples include:

.pdf

.txt

.jpg

.docx

or proprietary extensions such as:

.abc

Relevant information can appear through HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and related per-user/system registration areas.

Do not remove a file association simply because it contains the application's name.

Another installed program or Windows component may depend on the same association.

File-association cleanup should therefore be performed only when you understand the exact association being removed.

How to Find Installed Software Registry Entries Using PowerShell

For administrators, PowerShell can be faster and safer for identifying application registrations before opening Registry Editor.

Open PowerShell and run:

Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher, UninstallString

For 32-bit applications on 64-bit Windows:

Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher, UninstallString

For current-user applications:

Get-ItemProperty HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher, UninstallString

These commands are useful because they allow you to review important application-registration information without manually expanding hundreds of Registry Editor keys.

Search for a Specific Application with PowerShell

You can filter the results for a specific product.

Example:

Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Where-Object {$_.DisplayName -like "*Adobe*"} | Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher, UninstallString

Replace:

Adobe

with the software name you are investigating.

If no result appears, repeat the search against the WOW6432Node and HKCU locations.

Why Does Windows Still Show a Program After It Was Deleted?

Windows does not determine the Installed apps list simply by scanning C:\Program Files.

Installed applications normally register metadata that tells Windows information such as:

• Application name
• Version
• Publisher
• Install location
• Uninstall command

Therefore, manually deleting an application's folder can leave its registration behind.

This produces a ghost, orphaned, or stale uninstall entry.

The correct sequence should normally be:

Uninstall application → verify removal → clean confirmed leftovers if necessary

rather than:

Delete program folder → delete random registry entries

Why Does Setup Say "A Newer Version Is Already Installed"?

An incomplete uninstall can leave installation information behind.

A new installer may then detect the previous version and display errors such as:

• Another version is already installed
• Product is already installed
• Existing installation detected
• Please uninstall the previous version first
• Setup cannot continue

Before deleting anything manually:

1. Check Installed apps.
2. Try the existing Uninstall command.
3. Reboot Windows.
4. Try reinstalling the same version and uninstalling it normally.
5. Use the software publisher's official cleanup/removal tool if available.
6. Investigate the application's uninstall registry registration only if the problem remains.

This approach is safer than immediately deleting registry keys.

Program Files and AppData Leftovers

Registry cleanup alone does not remove application files.

After a successful uninstall, you may also check:

C:\Program Files

C:\Program Files (x86)

C:\ProgramData

%LOCALAPPDATA%

%APPDATA%

for confirmed application-specific leftovers.

Use caution.

User data, databases, email data, templates, licenses, backups, or configuration files may be stored in these locations.

Always back up valuable data before deleting application folders.

Do Registry Leftovers Slow Down Windows?

Usually, a small number of unused application registry keys will not create a noticeable performance problem.

Modern Windows systems can contain a very large number of registry entries.

Therefore, manually deleting harmless registry leftovers purely to make Windows "faster" is generally unnecessary.

Registry cleanup is much more useful when solving a specific problem, such as:

• Broken uninstall entry
• Failed reinstall
• Corrupted application configuration
• Invalid startup entry
• Obsolete application registration
• Conflicting old version

This is an important distinction between troubleshooting and unnecessary registry cleaning.

Should You Use Registry Cleaner Software?

Be cautious with tools that promise dramatic PC performance improvements by deleting hundreds or thousands of registry entries.

Removing an unnecessary registry value generally provides little performance benefit, while deleting the wrong value can cause application or Windows problems.

If you use a third-party uninstaller or cleanup utility:

• Download it only from its official publisher.
• Create a backup first.
• Review detected entries.
• Avoid blindly deleting everything classified as unnecessary.
• Prefer software-specific cleanup utilities supplied by the original vendor when available.

What NOT to Delete from the Registry

Never delete registry entries merely because their purpose is unclear.

Be especially careful around:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

and Microsoft/Windows component registrations.

Avoid deleting:

• Device driver entries
• Security software entries
• Windows Installer information
• Shared DLL registrations
• COM registrations
• Encryption information
• Certificate information
• Network provider information
• Authentication components
• Unknown services

unless you know precisely what the key controls.

Common Mistakes During Software Registry Cleanup

Mistake 1: Deleting the Uninstall Key Before Running the Uninstaller

This can make the application harder to remove because Windows loses the command needed to launch the original uninstaller.

Mistake 2: Searching a Generic Word and Deleting Every Result

A word such as "Office," "Update," "Driver," or "Backup" may appear in hundreds of unrelated locations.

Use unique application names, publisher names, executable filenames, or product GUIDs instead.

Mistake 3: Deleting the Program Folder First

If you manually delete the application directory, you may also delete its uninstaller.

Use the normal uninstall process before removing files manually.

Mistake 4: Ignoring WOW6432Node

A 32-bit application on 64-bit Windows may be registered there.

Mistake 5: Ignoring HKEY_CURRENT_USER

Per-user software may not appear in the system-wide HKLM location.

Mistake 6: Editing the Registry Without a Backup

Always export important keys before modification.

Mistake 7: Assuming Registry Cleaning Makes Windows Faster

Registry cleanup should target known problems rather than be treated as routine performance maintenance.

Recommended Safe Software Removal Workflow

For IT administrators and advanced Windows users, the following workflow is safer:

Step 1: Identify the exact software, publisher, and version.

Step 2: Back up important application data.

Step 3: Uninstall from Windows Settings or Control Panel.

Step 4: Restart Windows if required.

Step 5: Check whether the application has actually been removed.

Step 6: If the application remains listed, inspect the appropriate Uninstall registry locations.

Step 7: Verify DisplayName, Publisher, DisplayVersion, InstallLocation, and UninstallString.

Step 8: Export the exact registry key.

Step 9: Remove only confirmed orphaned registration entries.

Step 10: Check Program Files, ProgramData, AppData, startup items, scheduled tasks, and services only when necessary.

Step 11: Restart Windows and verify that the original problem has been resolved.

This method minimizes the risk of deleting unrelated Windows or application configuration.

Special Considerations for Windows Server and RDS

Registry cleanup requires additional caution on Windows Server and Remote Desktop Services environments.

An application may contain:

• Machine-wide HKLM configuration
• User-specific HKCU configuration
• Separate configuration for each RDS user
• Windows services
• Shared databases
• Licensing services
• Common ProgramData files

Removing an HKLM key can affect every user on the server.

Removing an HKCU key normally affects only the user whose registry hive is being edited.

Before cleaning software from a production server, verify whether other users or business applications still depend on the software.

Quick Reference: Important Registry Locations

Standard 64-bit/System-Wide Uninstall Entries

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

32-bit Applications on 64-bit Windows

HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Current-User Uninstall Entries

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Current-User Application Settings

HKCU\Software

System-Wide Application Settings

HKLM\SOFTWARE

Current-User Startup Entries

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

System-Wide Startup Entries

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Windows Services

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I remove a program from the Windows Registry?

First uninstall the program normally. If an orphaned entry remains, check:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

For 32-bit software on 64-bit Windows, also check:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Per-user software may instead appear under:

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Always verify and export the application's key before deleting it.

2. Does deleting a program from Regedit uninstall it?

No. Deleting an Uninstall registry entry may remove the program from the Windows application list without removing its files, services, drivers, or other components.

Use the normal software uninstaller whenever possible.

3. Where are installed programs stored in the Registry?

Common registration locations include:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

The exact location depends on the installer, architecture, and whether the application was installed system-wide or only for one user.

4. Why can't I find my program under the Uninstall registry key?

The program may be:

• A 32-bit application registered under WOW6432Node
• Installed only for the current user
• Packaged differently
• Portable software
• Already partially removed
• Registered using another installation technology

Check both HKLM locations and HKCU before concluding that no uninstall registration exists.

5. What is WOW6432Node?

WOW6432Node is associated with registry redirection used for 32-bit applications on 64-bit Windows.

This is why many 32-bit applications have uninstall information under:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

6. What is DisplayName in the Uninstall registry?

DisplayName identifies the application name presented to users in uninstall interfaces.

It is one of the safest values to inspect when determining which registry subkey belongs to a particular application.

7. What is UninstallString?

UninstallString contains the command Windows or the installer can use to start the application's uninstall procedure.

Inspecting it can help determine whether the original uninstaller still exists.

8. Why is the registry key a long number inside curly brackets?

Many Windows Installer/MSI applications use a product-code GUID.

It may look similar to:

{12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789ABC}

Do not delete a GUID simply because its name is unreadable. Check DisplayName, Publisher, and other values first.

9. How can I remove a program that is already deleted but still appears in Installed apps?

This is often an orphaned uninstall registration.

Find the program's correct Uninstall registry key, verify its identity, export it as a backup, and then delete only that application's subkey.

10. Can I delete everything containing the software's name from Regedit?

No.

The same text may occur in unrelated or shared Windows components. Review every result individually.

11. Is it safe to clean the Registry?

Targeted cleanup of a confirmed obsolete application key can be safe when performed carefully.

Mass deletion or automated cleaning without understanding the entries carries significantly greater risk.

12. Should I clean the Registry regularly?

Normally, no.

A few unused registry entries rarely cause meaningful performance problems. Registry editing is more appropriate for resolving specific installation, uninstall, startup, or configuration problems.

13. Can registry cleanup fix "software already installed" errors?

Sometimes.

An incomplete uninstall may leave registration data that causes an installer to detect an old version. However, first try normal uninstall, reinstall-and-uninstall, or the software publisher's official cleanup tool before manually deleting registry data.

14. Can I restore a registry key after deleting it?

Yes, if you exported the key before deletion.

Open Registry Editor and use:

File → Import

to restore the saved .reg file.

15. Do I need administrator rights to edit the Registry?

You can open Registry Editor as a normal user, but modifying protected system-wide locations generally requires appropriate administrator privileges.

16. Does uninstalling software remove all registry entries?

Not always.

Some applications intentionally preserve preferences or configuration so those settings remain available if the application is reinstalled later.

17. Where are startup programs stored in the Registry?

Common locations include:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

and:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

64-bit Windows may also contain 32-bit startup registration under WOW6432Node.

18. Can I remove leftover Windows services through Regedit?

Technically service configuration is represented in the Registry, but direct registry deletion is not the recommended first approach.

Identify the service and use the application's supported removal procedure whenever possible.

19. Can PowerShell show installed software registry information?

Yes.

PowerShell can query the Windows Uninstall registry locations and display useful values such as DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher, and UninstallString. This is particularly useful for administrators troubleshooting many applications.

20. Is Registry cleanup different on Windows 11 and Windows 10?

The core Registry locations used by traditional desktop applications are largely the same. However, Windows interface locations and newer application packaging technologies can differ.

For modern systems, use Windows' normal Installed apps interface first and resort to manual Registry cleanup only when necessary.

Conclusion

Removing software registry entries in Windows 11 or Windows 10 can solve stubborn problems such as orphaned Installed apps entries, failed reinstallations, invalid startup commands, and configuration left behind by incomplete uninstallations.

The most important principle is to distinguish uninstalling software from deleting its registry registration.

Always try the official uninstaller first. When registry cleanup becomes necessary, identify the application using values such as DisplayName, Publisher, DisplayVersion, InstallLocation, and UninstallString; check both 32-bit and 64-bit registry locations; remember that per-user applications may be stored under HKEY_CURRENT_USER; and back up the exact key before deleting anything.

Registry Editor is an extremely useful Windows troubleshooting tool when changes are precise and deliberate. It should not, however, be used for indiscriminate cleanup in the hope of significantly improving PC performance.

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