Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP

Registry Fix contains a range of useful features, as well as the usual basics you would expect from a registry cleaner program. Firstly, it has a scan feature which allows you to do custom scans (which means you select only certain parts of the registry to scan). However, most users will choose to scan the whole system, as this is most effective.

It also has back-up facilities, which means if you or the program was to make an error, you can quickly and safely restore your registry to previous settings and reverse any potential damage that could have occurred without a back-up.

Another valuable feature of Registry Fix is the start-up manager. This allows you to dictate which programs “start-up” when you load your computer - and it’s an important component for a PC optimization program.

Not only that, but Registry Fix has an Add/Remove manager, too. Those of you with more PC knowledge will know that this is already a feature of most Windows systems - but it is certainly handy to have an easy-to-use add/remove manager incorporated into Registry Fix.

Under a button called ‘Backup Controls’ there’s a great automatic backup. So every time you run a scan and repair problems, any changes you make can be undone. Restoring is very easy - a one click operation. There’s also an additional full registry backup tool.

Registry Fix is certainly on the ball when it comes to registry repair operations and optimization. It quickly scans your PC for invalid file references, corrupted registry keys, missing file associations, orphaned startup programs, disassociated device drivers, invalid paths, missing/corrupted DLL’s, missing or invalid fonts and a whole range of other related problems that can cause computer errors, crashes and make your PC run slowly.

Our tests also concluded that its optimization processes were comprehensive and every effective. Our test system seemed to run much faster after using Registry FIx - the performance boost was obvious, especially on the first startup.

While not as “brainless” as a few other registry cleaners, in general, Registry Fix is quite straight-forward to use and has a number of helpful additional options, including:

• Internet Browser Monitor/Manager
• Advanced Add/Remove Programs Manager
• Registry/System Backup
• Startup Program Manager. This is an excellent feature as startup programs are often the cause of slow system performance so with Registry Fix you can easily take control of what you want to load on system startup.

Registry Fix uses a full-scale online helpdesk for their customer support interface, for customers that have the full version. There’s no explanation of what’s being fixed here and the help files are simply a link to a few pages on the Internet. Although the tool isn’t exactly impossible to use, it’s disappointing that they didn’t take the time to write better information on getting the most from the tool.