[REVIEW] Top 10 Registry Cleaners for Windows PCs: Top Expert Picks

In this article, we’ve taken time to select and review ten of the most popular registry cleaners for Windows PCs.

We’ve also highlighted the qualities that make the best cleaner, whether it is a registry cleaner with a free or paid license, helping you make an informed and easy pick.

Shedding Light on the Windows Registry and the Role of a Registry Cleaner

The Windows registry is an expansive and hierarchical database of settings that Windows continually references when operating. It holds all the info and settings for every user, hardware, port, and software on your machine, telling Windows how these things should work.

With the built-in Registry Editor tool, you could even perform an advanced customization of Windows, changing the way things look and work, by tweaking certain registry entries.

Any time you install an app, attach and set up a new device, add a new user to the PC, change system settings, or set new preferences (for example, which app would be used to open a particular sort of file or which browser you want as your default browser), all that information is being recorded in the registry and is constantly being recalled as you use your computer.

⇢ What does a registry cleaner do?

Hundreds of thousands of entries exist in the registry of any given computer, each one playing a crucial role in the working of the system. More entries are being added as you keep using the machine—making changes and setting up new apps and devices.

Over time, your system becomes littered with outdated or unnecessary entries. Some of these entries may no longer serve a purpose, while others might be broken or linked to apps you deleted months ago. This buildup could slow down performance or cause errors.

Since it’s not advisable to try and edit the registry manually, third-party tools come in handy. They are designed to:

• Safely clean out or repair broken registry entries.
• Track down and clean redundant and orphaned entries from reinstalled and uninstalled apps.

The Best Free Registry Cleaners of 2025: Our Top Picks

We will cover 10 popular free registry cleaners for Windows. We tried each one on the same PC to discover their features and how they work.

Auslogics Registry Cleaner

Auslogics is one of the well-known providers of Windows maintenance tools. Their registry cleaner has been around for years and is constantly being updated to ensure the best experience. It is compatible with Windows 7 through 11. What makes this app stand out is the highly intuitive and easy-to-navigate user interface, as well as their focus on safety.

⚙️ Features and how it works

The app allows you to create a portable version that can be stored on a USB drive and used to scan other computers without any installation required.

You can get help from their experts by leaving a question from within the app. The free version allows 1 question. But you can read questions left by other users, as well as the expert responses.

There’s also a search feature that enables you to search for specific registry keys or other registry entries that contain the keyword.

The tool runs a complete backup of the registry before it starts to resolve found issues. You’ll be able to view your backups and revert to a restore point via the Rescue Center in the File tab.

📖 Download and installation guide

• Installation file size: 21.9 MB
• Disk space occupied by app: 66.6 MB

👣 Steps:

• Run the installation file and click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
• Click Agree and install . You can deselect any of the installation options if you wish.

• Wait for the installation to run and automatically open the app when complete.

💲 Pricing 

• 3 PC licence: 18.23 USD/year (15% off)
• Free version available: Yes

⭐️ Company rating on Trustpilot 

• Number of reviews: 1,946
• Rating: 4.2/5

CCleaner

CCleaner is not just a registry cleaner . It comes packed with multiple features for PC maintenance and optimization. It is available for all versions of Windows starting from Windows 7. It is very popular among Windows users. However, some of the optimization features are not available for free unless you provide your payment details, which then allows you to start a 60-day free trial and cancel anytime before the end of the trial date.

⚙️ Features and how it works 

The first noticeable thing about this free tool is that it pushes prompts for the user to download other products, as you can see here:

On the main interface, you will find the PC optimization features on the left pane. But most of them can only work fully with the paid version. The Health Check feature runs a full PC health scan to find all areas that need optimizing. The registry cleaner tool is found in the Tools option in the left pane.

After running a scan, clicking the Review selected Issues button prompts you to back up the registry before making changes.

📖  Download and installation guide

• Installation file size: 83.9 MB
• Disk space occupied by app: unspecified

👣 Steps:

• Run the installer and confirm the installation.
• You can click Customize to deselect options you don’t want.

• Once the installation is complete, click the Run CCleaner button to start the app.

💲 Pricing 

• 1 PC (1 year): 39.95 USD
• 3 PCs (1 year): 59.95 USD
• 3 PCs (2 years): 79.95 USD
• Free version available: Yes

⭐️ Company rating on Trustpilot 

• Number of reviews: 25,000
• Rating: 4.6/5

Wise Registry Cleaner

Wise provides free system tune-up and registry defrag in addition to registry cleaning. Its attention to detail and consideration for novice users make it one of the better registry cleaners.

⚙️ Features and how it works 

The app launches automatically after the installation and immediately prompts you to back up your registry.

You’ll then be presented with two options: either to create a system restore point or to create a full registry backup.

The registry backup process takes a little while to complete.

The Registry Cleaner interface lists all the registry items that can be scanned. When you click on each item in the list, you’ll get a short description that explains what that item is about.

It provides a scan scheduler as well, but you’ll have to upgrade to the PRO version to use it.

The registry scanning appears to be very thorough but also considerably fast. It stated clearly that some of the issues found are not safe to delete. Click each drop-down to expand the items. Those that are safe to clean are marked with a green badge, and those that are not safe to clean are marked with an orange badge and are deselected.

📖 Download and installation guide

• Installation file size: 5.8 MB
• Disk space occupied by app: 17.7 MB

👣 Steps:

• Run the installation file and click Install.
• Click on Finish to complete the setup and launch the app.

💲 Pricing

• 3 PCs: 15.04 USD/year (50% off)
• Free version available: Yes

⭐️ Company rating on Trustpilot 

• Number of reviews: 59
• Rating: 3.5/5

IObit Advanced SystemCare

IObit Advanced SystemCare is yet another comprehensive suite of PC management tools. It not only provides registry cleaning but also antivirus protection, spyware removal, internet boost, disk optimization, registry defrag, and a whole bunch of other useful services.

⚙️ Features and how it works

The user interface looks simple enough. There is an AI mode and a manual mode. The manual mode lets you choose the system optimizations you’d like to run. You can choose one, a few, or all of them by checking Select All.

Clicking the big, round SCAN button starts the scan. The selected scans complete one by one, and each one shows the number of issues found.

📖 Download and installation guide 

• Installation file size: 55.1 MB
• Disk space occupied by app: 185 MB

👣 Steps:

• The installer provides the Custom Install option that allows you to deselect certain installation options.

• An ad pops up during the installation process. Simply ignore it and wait for the installation to complete. Then click on Skip This.

• Yet another ad will be presented. You can click the No, thanks button to skip it and launch the app.

💲 Pricing

• 1 PC plan: 16.77 USD/year (45% off)
• 3 PCs plan: 19.99 USD/year (75% off)
• Free version available: Yes

⭐️ Company rating on Trustpilot 

• Number of reviews: 1,296
• Rating: 3.1/5

Glarysoft Registry Repair

Glarysoft Registry Repair is a dedicated registry cleane r tool that stands out among the trusted third-party tools for Windows registry maintenance. Its simple interface and its collection of essential features for safe registry cleanup make it an app worth trying.

⚙️ Features and how it works

Immediately after the app installation is complete, it triggers a registry scan even before the app opens. You can change that behavior by unchecking the Auto Scan after Start option in the File tab.

The app has a rather basic user interface and doesn’t do much in terms of aesthetics. It is simple and very easy to navigate.

• Click View History to see your registry scan and repair history.

• Via the Action tab, you can restore previous registry repairs performed by the tool.

The app has an automatic update function located in the Settings tab. This clearly shows that the app is regularly maintained by the creators, and that is definitely a good sign.

The app also provides an option for you to choose the users for whom the registry will be scanned. And you can select either the current user, all users, or selected users.

📖 Download and installation guide

• Installation file size: 8.8 MB
• Disk space occupied by app: unspecified

👣 Steps:

• Run the installation file, agree to the terms of service, and follow the prompts to complete the installation. Then click Finish to start the app.

💲 Pricing:

Free

⭐️ Company rating on Trustpilot 

• Number of reviews: 20
• Rating: 3.3/5

AVG TuneUp—Registry Cleaner & Repair Tool

AVG is a trusted name in PC maintenance and security. Their registry cleaner and repair tool is among the best on the market. It provides a thorough and safe cleanup, according to how deeply the user wants their registry scanned.

⚙️ Features and how it works

You can use the app for free for a limited time. But you can opt in for their 30-day money-back guarantee if you provide your payment details.

The app doesn’t only offer registry cleaning. It also offers program and data management, disk optimization, and junk cleaning.

Only the Basic scan is available. You’d have to subscribe to access the Full and the Custom scan functions.

The free version of the app doesn’t seem to provide a registry backup and restore function. This probably indicates that the cleanup of the registry only targets safe items for deletion. The paid version of the app, however, is said to provide a backup and restore function because then the user will have access to the Custom and Full scan features.

📖 Download and installation guide

• Installation file size: 1.6 MB
• Disk space occupied by app: 293 MB

👣 Steps:

• Run the installation file and click the Install button. Wait for the process to complete. It takes a while, after which the app opens automatically.
• It does not provide custom installation.

💲Pricing 

• 10 PCs: 34.68 USD for the first year
• Renewal: 79.99 USD/year
• Free version available: Yes

⭐️ Company rating on Trustpilot 

• Number of reviews: 25,655
• Rating: 4.3/5

Microsoft PC Manager

Microsoft PC Manager is a full-fledged Windows maintenance and optimization suite from Microsoft. It is available for Windows 11 and Windows 10. However, people in certain regions like Europe might not be able to get it yet.

⚙️ Features and how it works

PC Manager does not clean up the registry in the traditional sense. The only function of its registry cleaning feature is to deep-uninstall apps so as to ensure that there are no leftovers. That is probably the safest way to maintain the registry. The registry cleaner function is located in Apps > Deep uninstall.

📖 Download and installation guide

• Installation file size: 1 MB
• Disk space occupied: 94.1 MB

👣 Steps:

• The app is available from the Microsoft Store, or you can go through the website.
• When you initiate the download from the website and run the executable file, it triggers the download from the Microsoft Store.
• Once the download is complete, you’ll be presented with this welcome page. Apart from automatically starting the app, the other default option on the page shows that the app will restore default settings for Windows if you do not uncheck it.

Pricing: Free💲

⭐️ App rating on Microsoft Store 

• Number of reviews: 1,060
• Rating: 4.4/5

Systweak RegClean Pro

RegClean Pro offers a 24-hour free trial. In addition to registry cleaning, it also provides a registry defrag tool. It is one of the decent registry cleaners on the market. Let’s see how the tool works:

⚙️ Features and how it works

The app has a clean and simple user interface. On the home tab, there’s a big, blue, rectangular Start Registry Scan button. The scan takes a little while and seems thorough enough.

The tool provides a registry backup feature, and you can view your scan and repair history.

📖 Download and installation guide

• Installation file size: 11.1 MB
• Disk space occupied: 25.6 MB

👣 Steps:

• After downloading the installation file, run it and follow the prompts.
• The setup does not offer any custom installation options.

💲 Pricing

• 39.95 USD/year (promo price)
• Free version available: 24-hour free trial

⭐️ Company rating on Trustpilot 

• Number of reviews: 250
• Rating: 3.3/5

AVS Registry Cleaner

This is another registry cleaning utility worth considering for any version of Windows, starting from Windows 7. It provides all the necessary features that make a solid registry cleaner.

⚙️ Features and how it works 

Once the app opens, it prompts you to create a system restore point automatically.

It also provides a feature to initiate a restore when required. It has a functional scan scheduler, unlike the other tools we previously tested.

You can also initiate an advanced scan via the Settings link.

📖 Download and installation guide

• Installation file size: 9.2 MB
• Disk space occupied: 14.6 MB

👣 Steps:

• Run the installation file and follow the prompts to complete the setup.
• The installer allows you to deselect additional options.
• Once done, click Launch to open the app.

💲 Pricing: Free ⭐️ Company rating on Trustpilot: No reviews

Ashampoo WinOptimizer

Yet another efficient tool for registry cleaning and general PC maintenance and optimization. It provides a host of options for free. The app is worth giving a try as far as the general health of your Windows PC is concerned.

⚙️ Features and how it works

The tool presents you with all its PC optimization options in a simple interface. However, it appears that the free version no longer offers free registry cleaning as it once did. Thus, you can run other functions, including disk cleanup, shutting down unnecessary running services, and a couple of other options, but you have to upgrade to the paid version to use the registry cleaner function.

It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee

📖 Download and installation guide

• Installation file size: 224.4 MB
• Disk space occupied by app: unspecified

👣 Steps:

• Immediately after the installation, the app will ask for your email in order to activate your free license. You can’t proceed without providing a working email and confirming the registration.

💲 Pricing 

• 1 PC: 16 USD (one-time payment)
• 3 PCs: 14 USD /year  
• Free version available: Yes (No free registry cleaning)

⭐️ Company rating on Trustpilot 

• Number of reviews: 13,137
• Rating: 4.7/5

Registry cleaner	Portable version	Automatic backup	Backup & restore	Additional PC maintenance features	Used disk space	Trustpilot rating	Free registry cleaning	What sets it apart?
Auslogics Registry Cleaner	✅	✅	✅	❌	66.6 MB	4.2/5	✅	Unique keyword-search feature
CCleaner	✅	✅		✅	Unspecified	4.6/5	✅	60-day free trial to access all features
Wise Registry Cleaner	✅	✅	✅	✅	17.7 MB	3.5/5	✅	Automatically prompts for registry backup when the app opens for the first time and gives a description of registry entries marked for cleanup after a scan
IObit Advanced SystemCare	✅	✅	✅	✅	185 MB	3.1/5	✅	A comprehensive, all-round PC maintenance and security utility
Glarysoft Registry Repair	✅	✅	✅	❌	Unspecified	3.3/5	✅	Lets you choose which users to scan the registry for
AVG TuneUp	❌	✅	❌	✅	293 MB	4.3/5	✅	Enjoy all features with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Microsoft PC Manager	❌	❌	❌	✅	94.1 MB	4.4/5 (on Microsoft Store)	✅	One-stop shop for Windows maintenance
Systweak RegClean Pro	❌	✅	✅	✅	25.6 MB	3.3/5	✅	24-hour free trial
AVS Registry Cleaner	❌	✅	✅	❌	14.6 MB	No Reviews	✅	Comes absolutely free and has a scan scheduler function
Ashampoo WinOptimizer	✅	✅	✅	✅	Unspecified	4.7/5	❌	Updates automatically

Is It Safe To Use a Registry Cleaner?

This is one of the most common questions people ask, and for a good reason. The Windows registry is a core part of your system, and any mistake can cause serious problems. So, is it safe? In short, yes, but only if you use a trusted tool and follow best practices (which we discuss in the next section).

Let’s break it down further.

What does Microsoft say about registry cleaners?

Microsoft advises users to be careful when modifying the registry because of the serious issues that can occur when some registry tools modify the registry incorrectly. They also warn against third-party registry cleaners because some of them are too aggressive and might delete important registry entries and cause system instability. Because of this, Microsoft generally doesn’t recommend using registry cleaners.

➡️ Not all third-party registry tools are dangerous

However, it’s important to note that not all registry cleaners are bad. Trusted brands like AVG TuneUp and Auslogics Registry Cleaner take extra precautions to ensure safe cleaning. They also offer automatic backups so that you can undo changes if needed. On top of that, these registry tools use smart scanning technology to avoid deleting critical system files.

➡️ When should you use a registry cleaner?

If you’re using older PCs like the Acer Aspire One or Lenovo ThinkPad T400, a good registry cleaner can help speed things up, especially if the computer is lagging or experiencing software errors. For newer Windows versions, cleaning the registry isn’t always necessary because they manage the registry better. However, registry cleaners for Windows 10 or 11 are still helpful in certain situations, such as:

• Deleting unnecessary registry entries after uninstalling multiple apps (Microsoft’s PC Manager helps with this)
• Fixing software conflicts, like errors due to registry issues
• System crashes and frequent error messages

So, use trustworthy registry cleaners for best results. Avoid unnecessary deep scans, and always use the backup feature to restore changes if necessary.

Download Auslogics Registry Cleaner

The program will clean corrupt or outdated entries from the Windows registry to resolve causes of various errors and malfunctions.

Download for Free Learn More

Privacy Policy   EULA

PRO TIP

Running a standalone registry cleaner is mostly an unrequired part of a more beneficial maintenance regimen for your PC. Therefore, you should set your sights on an all-in-one optimization utility that will ensure you won’t particularly have to initiate registry scans in the first place. With Auslogics BoostSpeed, not only can you uninstall apps without leaving their garbage behind in the Windows registry, but you also get to enjoy other functionalities that keep your system in tip-top shape, allowing for maximum speed and performance. Have your computer feeling brand new once again!

How to Use a Registry Cleaner Safely and Effectively

There are precautions you should take when using a third-party registry cleaner tool. These will ensure that you get only the best results and avoid causing varying degrees of damage to your operating system:

1. Back up first: This cannot be overemphasized. The Windows registry is a very sensitive place to make changes. The slightest misstep could cause severe damage to your system. Therefore, before you proceed with a cleanup, it is of the utmost importance that you first perform a complete backup of the registry so, in the event that something goes wrong, you can easily revert the changes.
2. Choose a trusted tool: You need to choose the right tool for the job. There are a number of registry cleaners (free or otherwise) that have been tried by a good number of users and found to be harmless. Avoid using just any random cleaner because they might end up breaking your OS.
3. Scan and review—don’t delete everything blindly: After running a scan to identify potential issues, a good registry cleaner, such as Auslogics Registry Cleaner, will present you with the scan results so that you can review the findings and decide what to delete and what to keep. Some cleaners will even categorize the items as either safe or not safe to delete. There may also be features that will let you target specific areas of the registry for scanning so that you don’t mess with crucial registry settings.
4. Avoid aggressive cleaning: You could inadvertently damage your system by cleaning the registry too frequently or by implementing advanced or customized scans when you really don’t know what you are doing.

How to Choose the Best Registry Cleaner Without Risking Your PC

There are important considerations when choosing a registry cleaner for Windows 10 or 11:

Make sure the tool doesn’t impact your PC negatively

Look for third-party registry cleaning tools that focus on safety to ensure that they scan for issues without deleting important files. The best tools scan and tidy up the registry without overdoing it. Avoid cleaners that exaggerate issues.

Furthermore, it is advisable to use a re gistry cleaner on Windows 11 or 10 that performs a backup of the registry before anything else. Such tools will often provide you with a way to run the restore in case you mistakenly delete a registry key that should not be deleted.

The tool should improve your PC’s performance

A high-quality registry cleaner isn’t just about deleting registries. It identifies which entries are truly unnecessary and keeps the important ones untouched. The best tools have smart scanning technology that makes sure your computer runs smoother without unintended side effects.

Ease of use

The best registry cleaners have a crisp and intuitive user interface that’s easy to navigate. The user doesn’t get lost trying to figure out how things are supposed to work. A well-designed cleaner guides you through the process, making it easy to optimize your system without confusion.

The registry cleaner should be compatible with various Windows versions.

Make sure the registry cleaner is compatible with your version of Windows. Some tools don’t support newer releases, while others are better suited for older PCs. For example, while newer versions of Windows handle registry management well, older systems like the Lenovo ThinkPad T400 or Acer Aspire One may still benefit from occasional cleaning to improve performance.

Other important considerations when going for a registry cleaner with a free license:

1. A good number of free tools have been abandoned by the creators and are no longer being updated. They may be buggy and ineffective for newer operating systems. Only go for free tools that are still actively being maintained. You can do that by checking reviewers, contacting support, and checking the last version of the release date.
2. Choose a free registry cleaner tool that provides good customer support.
3. Some brands are only interested in pushing users to purchase their premium version. Their free tool might simply scan your PC but won’t allow you to do a proper cleanup if at all. Therefore, choose a free tool that would at least get the job done even if it doesn’t give you access to its advanced or additional features.
4. During installation, the best free tools will provide you with a custom install option. This enables you to opt out of any bundled apps or features that you’re not interested in.
5. Avoid free tools that are all adware and no essence.

PRO TIP

he best registry cleaners have a strong focus on safety. They are accurate at cleaning out all the registry junk while at the same time tactically avoiding crucial system entries. You don’t have to look farther than Auslogics Registry Cleaner as long as a healthy combination of safety and effectiveness is concerned. You couldn’t possibly ask for anything more.

Download for Free Learn More

Choose the Right Registry Cleaner to Avoid Risks

Choosing the right registry cleaner is all about making smart choices. You don’t want a tool that will mess up your system, and you also don’t need one that claims to fix problems that don’t exist.

Stick to trusted brands, check reviews, and make sure the software is still being updated. Most importantly, use registry cleaners wisely. Use them only when needed, and always with a backup in place.

If you’ve found this guide helpful, be sure to leave a like or a comment and share it with your friends and colleagues so that they may benefit as well.

FAQ

Are registry cleaners worth it?

Yes, but it depends on what you’re expecting. If you’re hoping for a massive speed boost, you might be disappointed. Registry cleaners are more about tidying up than turbocharging your PC. They’re worth it if you’re using a trusted program and just want to clean up leftovers from uninstalled software or fix small annoyances. But they’re not a cure-all for deeper system issues.

Does Microsoft have a free registry cleaner?

Yes. Microsoft has a free PC maintenance tool for Windows 10 and 11 called Microsoft PC Manager. It is a general-purpose utility that provides registry cleaning alongside numerous other functions, including system settings optimization, security improvement, and file cleanup.

Should I use a registry cleaner, yes or no

Yes, but only if you know what you’re doing or you’re using a reliable tool. For most users, it’s not something you have to use regularly. But if you’re doing routine PC maintenance and want to clean up leftover registry entries, a trusted registry cleaner can help. Just make sure it offers a backup option and doesn’t delete critical system entries.

Is registry cleaning necessary?

Not all the time. Windows is pretty good at handling the registry on its own, particularly for newer versions. Registry cleaning isn’t a must-do maintenance task like updating drivers or clearing out junk files. That said, it can be helpful in certain situations, like after uninstalling a lot of programs or if you’re seeing small issues.