Windows Registry is a database that contains user settings, information and other related values for the programs and applications on your Windows PC operating system. It simply means that everything the user do on their computer are stored in the Registry Editor. Although this is a solid database, there are instances where certain registry issues such as broken registry items that can occur which we will be addressing today. In this latest installment of our tutorial series we will show you the methods on how to Delete Broken Registry Items on Windows 10.
How to Delete Broken Registry Items on Windows 10 Computer
Most of the time Broken Registry Items on your Windows Operating System is caused by a corrupted or deleted registry entries that are left after you uninstall or delete a file. Having a Broken Registry Items slows down your computer that is why it is recommended to delete and clean them to improve its performance and speeds up your computer operating systems.
But before performing the methods below to delete broken registry entries, you will need to create a back up registry first.
Do a Windows Registry Backup
- Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to Open Run dialog box
- At Run dialog box, type “regedit” and press Enter or click on OK to open Windows Registry Editor
- At Registry Editor, click on File tab at the upper right, then select Export from the drop down menu.
- Enter a file name and then click on Save to save Registry file items on Windows
Exported registry files are automatically saved by default as .reg extension.
Method 1: Do a Disk Cleanup
Estimate Cost : 0
Time Needed : 4 minutes
Disk Cleanup basically deletes all unnecessary files on your computer which can help free up some space thereby improving its performance. What it does is that it searches your entire hard disk and then shows you the internet cache, temporary and unnecessary program files that you can delete safely. In this first method, you will do the disk clean up on your computer.
Type <strong>"Disk Cleanup"</strong>
At the search bar on your windows computer located at the lower left, type “Disk Cleanup”
Select <strong>Disk Cleanup</strong> Result
It’s usually the first among the results. <strong>Select the Drive </strong>that you want to clean up
It’s better that you examine the drives prior to this problem so there won’t be any confusion as to which drive you want to clean up. Click on the button <strong>"Clean up System Files"</strong>
At Disk Clean up window, you will see the list of the files to delete. Carefully check on each file, if you’re okay with it click on the button “Clean up System Files”
Select again the Drive
A new window opens, select again the Drive that you want to clean up, then click OK. Waif for Disk Clean up process to complete.
It’s usually the first among the results. 
It’s better that you examine the drives prior to this problem so there won’t be any confusion as to which drive you want to clean up. 
Tools
- Registry Tool
Materials
- Windows 10
After Disk Cleanup process is complete, check if Broken Registry entries still exists.
Method 2: Run DISM tool
The next method to repair the issues and delete broken registry entries it to Run a DISM command.
- Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to Open Run dialog box
- Then at RUN dialog box, type “cmd” then simultaneously press “Shift” + “Ctrl” + “Enter” keys to give administrative access to Command prompt.
- At Command Prompt, type the following command and then press Enter
- Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and press Enter
- Wait for the process to complete as it can take a while.
After running DISM tool, check if Broken Registry entries still exists.
Method 3: Refresh Windows 10 Computer
If the above mentioned methods did not delete the Broken registry items on your Windows, you can try to refresh your computer by simply using the Reset this PC option. Keep in mind that this process does not delete or you will not lose files and app if you choose not to.
- Press the windows or start button at the lower left on your Windows.
- Click on Settings, an icon that looks like a gear to open Windows Settings section.
- At Windows Settings, click on Update and Security
- Click on Recovery tab at the left pane.
- At Recovery section, under Reset this PC option click on Get Started.
- At prompt message, two options will be presented to you. You can either choose the option Keep my files which only removes programs, application and settings but retains your personal files or you can choose the option Remove everything which removes all personal files, programs, application and settings. If you opt to choose the Remove everything option, make sure that you were able to back up your files.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to refresh your Windows PC.
- Once Windows has been refreshed, it will automatically reset Windows Registry Editor and Broken Registry Entries items are then removed.
After following the steps above, you have successfully deleted Broken Registry Entries on your Windows 10 Computer.