A computer registry is a file that stores all of the important configuration information for your Windows based computer. The registry store things like what hardware and software you have loaded, your desktop configuration, and many other things. Every time you install a new program or a new piece of hardware your registry is modified. When you uninstall a piece of software most of the time some junk is still left in the registry. Microsoft and Symantec both have solutions for this. Microsoft has a free program that can be downloaded at:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q147/7/69.asp.

Symantec has a registry clean program that comes bundled in its Norton Utilities (in my humble opion this is a better program). Both of these will help you in keeping your registry clean.

Caution: Make sure you read the instructions carefully.