Ways to Fix Registry Corruption in Windows 11/10

Anju Chaudhary

Updated On - October 18, 2022

‘Corrupt Registry Error,’ depicted as bricked Windows system, usually occurs when you have made changes to the Registry using Registry Editor (regedit). Thus it is always recommended that before you make any changes to the Registry, do keep a backup of all the data first. In most cases, when Registry gets corrupt, you need to reinstall your Windows operating system, which will end up in losing data from your computer. In the present blog, we shall be discussing the possible reasons for Windows registry corruption and potential solutions to fix this error.

Before we proceed further, let us understand Registry. A Registry is a database consisting of configuration settings of all the applications on your computer. Whenever you install an application on your computer, all the properties of that application, like size, version, location, etc., are fed/stored in the windows registry. To bring any changes or troubleshoot any problem arising in an application, you need the help of the Windows Registry Editor.

Why Does Registry Get Corrupted?

Usually, corruption in Registry occurs when you make changes using Regedit, i.e., Registry Editor. So, it is always recommended to backup your Registry before you make any change to it. Sometimes malware/viruses can be responsible for the same. Unexpected shut down due to power surge, power cut, malware, or virus may corrupt system files, which may lead to corruption in Registry.

Various Methods to Fix Corrupt Registry Errors:

Method 1: Through SFC Scan (System File Checker)

Sometimes Registry entries can get corrupted due to corruption of Windows System Files. Thus, it is recommended to repair corrupt system files first by running an SFC scan in Windows.

SFC is a utility created within the operating system to check the system file corruption. It checks the integrity of all protected files of the operating system. If it finds any incorrect, corrupt, changed, or damaged versions in the files, it replaces them with correct versions if the system allows it to do so.

To run system file check, follow the steps mentioned below carefully:

1. Go to ‘Start’ and type ‘CMD’ in the search bar.
2. Right-click and click on ‘Run as Administrator.’ A new window will open.
3. If you want to verify and repair, type ‘ sfc /scannow, ‘ i.e., sfc/scannow and press ‘enter.’
4. If you want only to verify, then type ‘sfc /verifyonly, ‘ i.e., sfc/verifyonly and press ‘Enter.’ In this case no changes will be made in the operating system.
5. If the message you receive after completion of scanning, ‘Windows did not find any integrity violations’ or ‘Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and repaired them,’ then that is a good indication for your operating system and Registry.
6. If the message you receive after completion of scanning is ‘Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was not able to fix some (or all) of them,’ then that is not a good indication. Then you must run a DISM scan as mentioned below.

Method 2: Through DISM Scan

When an SFC scan fails to fix the problem, try to run DISM. DISM (Deployment Image Servicing And Management), in Windows 10, is a command-line tool built to prepare, modify and repair system images. This includes Windows Recovery Environment, Windows Setup, and Windows PE (Win PE)

When one or more Windows 10 files are damaged in the image, then sfc does not prove helpful, and one ought to move to the DISM command to repair the image. To run DISM Command, follow the steps given below:

1. Go to ‘start’ and type ‘command’ in the search bar.
2. Right-click and select ‘command prompt’ and run as administrator.
3. To check health type DISM/Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth and press enter. This process is used just to check if the image is flagged as corrupted.
4. To scan the image for ‘component store corruption, after steps 1 & 2, type DISM/Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and press enter.
5. It is always recommended to run ‘restore health.’ To run it type, after steps 1&2, type DISM/Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press enter.

Method 3: By Resetting Your System

Though not recommended, you can opt to reset your PC when other methods fail. Resetting your PC resets the Windows Registry also. To reset your system follow the steps below:

1. Go to ‘start’ and then to ‘Settings.’
2. Click on ‘Update & Security.’
3. Select ‘Recovery,’ below ‘Reset this PC, ’ click ‘Get Started.’

Method 4: Reinstall Windows 10/11

You need to reinstall Windows 10/11 if there exist files which keep corrupting the registry on your computer. Before doing so, do backup the data you want. Windows 10/11 can be reinstalled on your computer by simply inserting a bootable Windows 10/11disk to your PC and booting your PC from it. Keep following the instructions displayed on the screen which will help you install fresh copy of Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Method 5: By Performing Automatic Repair/ Startup Repair

Automatic repair/ startup repair is the process that scans system files, Registry settings, Configuration settings, and more to solve the problem automatically. To run this process, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Go to ‘Start’ and click on ‘Settings.’
2. Go to ‘Update & security,’ menu will drop and select ‘Recovery.’
3. Click on ’Advanced Startup.’
4. Click on ‘Restart.’

WWhen nothing above is able to fix the problem then you need a third party tool to recover your complete data from your PC without any loss, damage or change (also read ways to retrieve Outlook data after system crash). Recoveryfix for Windows Data Recovery is a specially designed program to recover complete data of your Windows operating system. It is an easy-to-use and efficient tool that is available as a ‘Download Free’ version for trial purposes.

Conclusion:

Recoveryfix for Windows Data Recovery is a powerful tool to help you retrieve your complete data of not only Windows 10 or 11 but also of Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, 98 & 95. This data includes images, MS Office files, Documents, Media Files, Graphic Files, Video Files, Emails, etc. Irrespective of the reason for the corruption of the Windows system, it has the ability to recover complete data from a hard drive, external drive, USB, etc. In short, it is a panacea for all kinds of data loss for any reason and from any source of your PC.