"Empty Registry Value"

[Ancient Observer]

When I use Jetclean I often get a hundred or so issues that Jetclean calls Empty Registry Values.
I have googled to try to understand what these are, but I just get techy speak, which I do not understand.
What are they, please?
thanks
AO

[G0ULI]

On computers running the Windows operating system, the registry is a file of information about all the programs that are installed on the computer. It basically tells the computer what type each program is, what things it is allowed to access and how it should be run. If a program is manually deleted, or poorly written software creates temporary registry entries, this information can be left behind in the registry even after all other traces of the program have been deleted. Some software authors intentionally leave an empty registry entry when a program has been deleted, so that if the program is reinstalled, it runs the same way as it did before. That may or may not be useful, depending on why you might have deleted the program in the first place.

Having unnecessary information in the registry causes the computer to run more slowly and can potentially provide a gateway for malware such as viruses and trojan programs to access your system. So it is better to delete unused lines in the registry file to keep your computer running more smoothly and to help protect against unauthorised access to your system.

The registry file is an essential part of Windows, your programs won't run properly without it. If it gets too bloated, it slows your system down becuase Windows looks up the registry file for information every time it runs a program. unnecessary information in the registry file can open up vulnerabilities in your computer to malware.

As untechie as I can make it.

[Ancient Observer]

Thank you.
That helps.
Your description makes me think I should have some of these on some days.
However, I get 100++ most days. is it just stuff that programmes I have used leave lying around?

[G0ULI]

If it is the same stuff coming up time after time and you recognise some of the file names as being programs you use, it probably isn't a problem.

It is just empty lines being left as place markers in the registry file by programs you have opened and closed.

The registry file does have a tendency to grow over time, accumulating junk like dust bunnies in the corner of a room. Just run the registry file cleaner once a month or so to keep things tidy.

[Ancient Observer]

OK,
Great
Thanks
AO

[cdtaylor_nats]

I would strongly urge backing up any files you value before allowing any cleanup of the registry.

You may also find a program called regedit - don't touch it if you are not 100% certain of its use.