Registry cleaners are software programs that remove duplicate or undesirable entries from the Windows Registry.
Registry cleaners are especially useful for removing registry entries that point to files that no longer exist.
Note: I've only included freeware registry cleaner programs in this list - in other words, onlycompletely free registry cleaners. Any registry cleaner program that charges a fee of any kind (e.g. shareware, trialware) will not be included here. If a free registry cleaner has started to charge and I haven't removed it yet, please let me know.
Important: Free registry cleaners should only be used as troubleshooting tools for specific kinds of issues. Registry cleaning should NOT be part of your regular PC maintenance.
Registry cleaners are especially useful for removing registry entries that point to files that no longer exist.
Note: I've only included freeware registry cleaner programs in this list - in other words, onlycompletely free registry cleaners. Any registry cleaner program that charges a fee of any kind (e.g. shareware, trialware) will not be included here. If a free registry cleaner has started to charge and I haven't removed it yet, please let me know.
Important: Free registry cleaners should only be used as troubleshooting tools for specific kinds of issues. Registry cleaning should NOT be part of your regular PC maintenance.
1. CCleaner
CCleaner is the best free registry cleaner program I've tested. It's easy to use, prompts you backup the registry before it makes changes, and includes a number of other useful tools.
The CCleaner registry cleaner work on Windows 7, Vista, XP, Server 2008/2003, and older Windows versions like 2000, NT, ME and 98. 64-bit Windows versions are also supported.
Piriform provides both an installable and a portable version of CCleaner. I tested the CCleaner registry cleaner using their portable version in Windows Vista.
If you're set on using an automated tool to fix an issue you have that's caused by a registry problem, I highly recommend you use Piriform's CCleaner freeware registry cleaner tool.
Important: Be sure to download CCleaner from Piriform's site and nowhere else. There is at least one other program out there that's attempting to imitate CCleaner but then charge for the cleaning, so be careful. CCleaner Free Download
The CCleaner registry cleaner work on Windows 7, Vista, XP, Server 2008/2003, and older Windows versions like 2000, NT, ME and 98. 64-bit Windows versions are also supported.
Piriform provides both an installable and a portable version of CCleaner. I tested the CCleaner registry cleaner using their portable version in Windows Vista.
If you're set on using an automated tool to fix an issue you have that's caused by a registry problem, I highly recommend you use Piriform's CCleaner freeware registry cleaner tool.
Important: Be sure to download CCleaner from Piriform's site and nowhere else. There is at least one other program out there that's attempting to imitate CCleaner but then charge for the cleaning, so be careful. CCleaner Free Download
2. Wise Registry Cleaner Free
Wise Registry Cleaner Free comes in a very close second to CCleaner. WiseCleaner has put together a fantastic registry cleaner program.
Registry Cleaner Free can be used on Windows 7 all the way back through Windows 98. 64-bit Windows versions are supported. I tested the program on Windows 7.
Some big pluses for Wise's registry cleaner includes fast registry scans and separation of not-so-safe entries to delete, a feature I loved.
I don't like the fact that Wise Registry Cleaner Free asks for your email address and prompts you to install the Ask Toolbar and the Wise Disk Cleaner. However, all three requests are optional and are easy to skip.
Note: Be sure to download the "Free" version and not the "Professional" one.
Wise Registry Cleaner Free Download
Registry Cleaner Free can be used on Windows 7 all the way back through Windows 98. 64-bit Windows versions are supported. I tested the program on Windows 7.
Some big pluses for Wise's registry cleaner includes fast registry scans and separation of not-so-safe entries to delete, a feature I loved.
I don't like the fact that Wise Registry Cleaner Free asks for your email address and prompts you to install the Ask Toolbar and the Wise Disk Cleaner. However, all three requests are optional and are easy to skip.
Note: Be sure to download the "Free" version and not the "Professional" one.
Wise Registry Cleaner Free Download
3. Auslogics Registry Cleaner
Auslogics Registry Cleaner is another great registry cleaner tool - it's probably the easiest registry cleaner to use out of all the tools I've test.
Registry Cleaner is compatible with Windows 7, Server 2008 & 2003, Vista, XP, and 2000. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows are supported. I tested Registry Cleaner on Windows 7.
My favorite feature of Auslogics Registry Cleaner is the wizard that begins when you start the program. You're given the option to do either a quick or advanced registry scan. The quick scan makes the registry cleaning process very, very easy.
If CCleaner or Wise's tool, both ranked above, don't give you the results you were looking for, give Auslogics Registry Cleaner a try.
Auslogics Registry Cleaner Free Download
Registry Cleaner is compatible with Windows 7, Server 2008 & 2003, Vista, XP, and 2000. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows are supported. I tested Registry Cleaner on Windows 7.
My favorite feature of Auslogics Registry Cleaner is the wizard that begins when you start the program. You're given the option to do either a quick or advanced registry scan. The quick scan makes the registry cleaning process very, very easy.
If CCleaner or Wise's tool, both ranked above, don't give you the results you were looking for, give Auslogics Registry Cleaner a try.
Auslogics Registry Cleaner Free Download
4. Advanced SystemCare Free
Advanced SystemCare Free from IObit is another excellent free registry cleaner program. Advanced SystemCare Free is very easy to use, has an excellent interface, and includes several other "system care" capabilities, including a registry defrag tool.
Advanced SystemCare Free works in Windows 7, Vista, XP, and 2000. According to IObit, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows are supported. I tested Advanced SystemCare Free's registry cleaning abilities on Windows Vista 32-bit.
If you've had issues running any of the better rated freeware registry cleaners, try Advanced SystemCare Free.
Note: Advanced SystemCare Free tries to install Yahoo! Toolbar during its setup but it's easy to decline if you so choose.
Advanced SystemCare Free Download
Advanced SystemCare Free works in Windows 7, Vista, XP, and 2000. According to IObit, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows are supported. I tested Advanced SystemCare Free's registry cleaning abilities on Windows Vista 32-bit.
If you've had issues running any of the better rated freeware registry cleaners, try Advanced SystemCare Free.
Note: Advanced SystemCare Free tries to install Yahoo! Toolbar during its setup but it's easy to decline if you so choose.
Advanced SystemCare Free Download
5. Glary Registry Repair
EasyCleaner is one of the oldest and most trusted free registry cleaners out there. The interface is a bit dated and I'm not sure how often the program is updated, but it's a solid registry repair tool.
The ToniArts website says that EasyCleaner works in Windows XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95. However, I tested EasyCleaner in Windows Vista and had no problem scanning or repairing the registry.
EasyCleaner took longer than other registry cleaners to scan my registry but it did a fine job overall. I'd keep this particular freeware registry cleaner on backup until CCleaner or another higher rated registry cleaner doesn't perform as expected.
EasyCleaner Free Download
The ToniArts website says that EasyCleaner works in Windows XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95. However, I tested EasyCleaner in Windows Vista and had no problem scanning or repairing the registry.
EasyCleaner took longer than other registry cleaners to scan my registry but it did a fine job overall. I'd keep this particular freeware registry cleaner on backup until CCleaner or another higher rated registry cleaner doesn't perform as expected.
EasyCleaner Free Download
7. Comodo System Utilities
Comodo System Utilities is yet another good freeware registry cleaner program. It's simple to use and scanned the registry in a reasonable amount of time.
The Comodo System Utilities tool is designed for Windows 7, Vista, Server 2003, and XP. It works on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows but is not itself available in a 64-bit version.
I tested Comodo System Utilities in Windows 7. There are several other features in this "utility" but I only looked at the registry cleaning portion.
I'm usually a big fan of Comodo products but Comodo System Utilities just didn't impress me like many of their other tools. It's a fine program, but not the best.
Comodo System Utilities Free Download
The Comodo System Utilities tool is designed for Windows 7, Vista, Server 2003, and XP. It works on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows but is not itself available in a 64-bit version.
I tested Comodo System Utilities in Windows 7. There are several other features in this "utility" but I only looked at the registry cleaning portion.
I'm usually a big fan of Comodo products but Comodo System Utilities just didn't impress me like many of their other tools. It's a fine program, but not the best.
Comodo System Utilities Free Download
8. Little Registry Cleaner
Little Registry Cleaner seems to be as good a registry cleaner as any other around this ranking in my list. One thing I like is that the program appears to be updated on a regular basis.
Little Registry Cleaner is an open source registry cleaner that works on Windows Vista, XP, and 2000 - on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. I tested Little Registry Cleaner successfully in Windows Vista.
The Little Registry Cleaner tool took a bit longer than some other registry cleaners to to complete the registry scan but it but it seemed to do a good job overall.
Little Registry Cleaner Free Download
Little Registry Cleaner is an open source registry cleaner that works on Windows Vista, XP, and 2000 - on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. I tested Little Registry Cleaner successfully in Windows Vista.
The Little Registry Cleaner tool took a bit longer than some other registry cleaners to to complete the registry scan but it but it seemed to do a good job overall.
Little Registry Cleaner Free Download
9. Eusing Free Registry Cleaner
Eusing Free Registry Cleaner is another free registry cleaner. I frequently see references to this particular registry cleaner on other "top" lists but I didn't find anything spectacular about it. Try CCleaner first, for sure.
Eusing Software says that Free Registry Cleaner works on Windows Vista, Server 2003, XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95. I tested Eusing Free Registry Cleaner on Windows Vista.
Note: Remember, a registry cleaner program is not a regular PC maintenance tool. Registry cleaners don't typically speed up your computer or provide any other day-to-day improvements to your PC. Registry cleaners should only be used to help solve specific kinds of problems.
Eusing Free Registry Cleaner Free Download
Eusing Software says that Free Registry Cleaner works on Windows Vista, Server 2003, XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95. I tested Eusing Free Registry Cleaner on Windows Vista.
Note: Remember, a registry cleaner program is not a regular PC maintenance tool. Registry cleaners don't typically speed up your computer or provide any other day-to-day improvements to your PC. Registry cleaners should only be used to help solve specific kinds of problems.
Eusing Free Registry Cleaner Free Download
10. Registry Fix Pro
Registry Fix Pro is suspiciously similar to Eusing Free Registry Cleaner. That said, I'm not sure which freeware registry cleaner came first. The only reason I rank Registry Fix Pro lower than Eusing Free Registry Cleaner is because this program took a very long time to scan the registry.
Cleanersoft Software says that Registry Fix Pro works on Windows Vista, Server 2003, XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95. I tried Registry Fix Pro on Windows Vista and didn't have any problems.
Of all the free registry cleaners that I tested, Registry Fix Pro found the largest number of registry entries that needed "repaired" but that doesn't mean it's the best program.
Registry Fix Pro Free Download
Cleanersoft Software says that Registry Fix Pro works on Windows Vista, Server 2003, XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95. I tried Registry Fix Pro on Windows Vista and didn't have any problems.
Of all the free registry cleaners that I tested, Registry Fix Pro found the largest number of registry entries that needed "repaired" but that doesn't mean it's the best program.
Registry Fix Pro Free Download
11. Free Windows Registry Repair
Free Windows Registry Repair reminds me a lot of Eusing Free Registry Cleaner and Registry Fix Pro and so my assessment is similar. Try this registry cleaner if you need to, skip it and try a better one if you don't.
RegSofts Software's website says Free Windows Registry Repair is compatible with Windows Vista, XP, and 2000, NT, ME and 98. I tested Free Windows Registry Repair in Windows Vista.
Registry scan time with Free Windows Registry Repair was longer that with some of the higher rated registry cleaners but overall it looks like a decent tool.
Free Windows Registry Repair Free Download
RegSofts Software's website says Free Windows Registry Repair is compatible with Windows Vista, XP, and 2000, NT, ME and 98. I tested Free Windows Registry Repair in Windows Vista.
Registry scan time with Free Windows Registry Repair was longer that with some of the higher rated registry cleaners but overall it looks like a decent tool.
Free Windows Registry Repair Free Download
Know of Another Free Registry Cleaner?
I think I've linked to every freeware registry cleaner in my list above but if I missed one, let me know so I can add it!
Important: I will not, under any circumstances, include registry cleaners in this list that are not 100% free. In other words, I will only include freeware registry cleaners - NO shareware and NO trialware registry cleaners.
Be sure to to let me know if one of the freeware registry cleaners above has started charging users so I can remove it from this list.
I think I've linked to every freeware registry cleaner in my list above but if I missed one, let me know so I can add it!
Important: I will not, under any circumstances, include registry cleaners in this list that are not 100% free. In other words, I will only include freeware registry cleaners - NO shareware and NO trialware registry cleaners.
Be sure to to let me know if one of the freeware registry cleaners above has started charging users so I can remove it from this list.