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There are two main sections to this settings page as well as an option to ignore blocked items. You can choose the items you want to include for your Registry scan and choose the level of the scan when including Registry Defrag with a Smart TuneUp. The ignore blocked items option will stop the reoccurrence of registry items being recreated from third party applications. Keep in mind that you can restore the settings to their default state as described here.
Getting Started
You can begin customizing the Registry scan by displaying the available settings.
To open the Registry Scan Settings window, do the following:
From the Options page, click the Registry Scan Settings link.
Registry Scan Components
You can choose what registry components to scan.
 Registry Scan Components:
Function:
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Description:
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COM/ActiveX Entries
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COM and ActiveX entries comprise a set of rules instructing applications how to share information. These components become installed on a system while browsing the Internet or installing a program. Invalid COM and ActiveX entries can increase the size of the registry and may contribute to malfunctioning of programs, potential system crashes, program failures, and loss of data.
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Application Paths
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Application Paths are located in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version section of the registry. They are system-wide registry setting keys. Each key refers to a file name and path of an application installed on your system. To launch an application, you can directly type the name of the application in Start > Run instead of typing the complete file path.
There are times when applications are uninstalled or moved from the original locations and the path becomes invalid. In these cases, it will refer to the wrong path and name and can result in problems when executing other applications. PC TuneUp Maestro identifies and removes invalid application paths.
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File Extensions
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When you double-click a file, Windows Explorer opens an associated application based on the file extension; the suffix of the file (such as "jpg" or "doc"). PC TuneUp Maestro verifies a file extension key is no longer valid and removes it from the registry.
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File Associations
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File Extensions are registered with Windows so as to associate the extension with an application. IN some situations empty File Association keys remain in the registry due to uninstalling associated programs or components associated with file extensions. Invalid entries are located in the file type management section of the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. Examples include: missing CLSID, missing file icons, and missing Shell/Open command
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Install & Uninstall Entries
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In some situations incorrect installing or uninstalling an application can lead to registry entries that are invalid. The uninstall entries are located in this area of the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
Invalid install entries, are located in the following areas:
| • | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders, |
| • | HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Patches\ |
| • | HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\ |
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Font Entries
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The registry stores information about what font types have been installed. Each of these registry keys refers to a specific font type and stores its filename and path. Invalid entries can occur when the paths are edited or due to name changes. Problems, such as errors in applications, can occur.
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Shared DLLs
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These entries include paths to shared files and program DLLs (libraries) used by multiple programs. When shared files are moved from their original location or have been deleted, these entries become invalid and can cause application failure.
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Help files
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Help files create entries in the registry to point to the name of the file and its paths. These entries are located in: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Help. If the help file is moved from its original location or removed altogether, these entries become invalid.
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Program Shortcuts
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When program shortcuts are created, an entry for it is stored in the C:/Users/[current_user]/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Office/Recent section of the registry. When you double-click the shortcut it opens the program. In some cases, an application can be removed from your system and the shortcut remains.
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Sound App Events
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Information to all sound files on your computer system are also stored in the registry. Invalid entries point to sound files that no longer exist or have been relocated from their original location.
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Windows Startup Items
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Certain programs are installed or can be included in the Windows Startup so that they launch automatically when you first start your computer. The registry stores information related to these programs. Invalid entries point to programs that no longer exist or are moved from their original locations.
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Windows Start Menu
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The registry stores information for programs listed in the Start Menu so that they can be launched when selected. Invalid entries point to programs that no longer exist or are moved from their original locations.
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Each of the settings has a check box associated with it and you can easily change any setting.
To disable an option, do the following:
Clear the associated check box of the setting you want to disable.
To enable an option, do the following:
Check the associated check box of the setting you want to enable.
Registry Defrag Scan Level
You can select the type of Defrag scan you would like used when performing a Smart TuneUp. You can choose either an Express scan or a Deep scan.
Scan Level:
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Description:
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Express
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This includes 80% of the entire system registry. The estimated time to compete this scan is less that a few minutes.
 This is a good choice if you want to get a quick indication of the condition of the registry. If the scan results reveal that a defrag is necessary and the fragmentation percentage is high, a Deep scan may be warranted.
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Deep
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This is a thorough scan of the entire system registry. The estimated time to complete this scan is up to an hour.
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 Your system may not be responsive when running a Defrag scan. If you choose a Deep scan it is best to do this when you are not needing to use your computer.
To choose an option, do the following:
Click one of the options (the associated option button).
Ignore Blocked Registry Items
There are certain registry items that when identified to be removed are in fact "blocked" by third party applications installed on your PC. That is, they are removed by PC TuneUp Maestro and then recreated by the third party application. Rather than have these items constantly re-created, this option enables PC TuneUp Maestro to ignore these items so they are not removed. This option is on by default and is considered to be the most safe and convenient option.
To disable this option, do the following:
Clear the associated check box.
Restore Defaults
After making changes to the settings you can easily restore all the settings to their original default state.
To restore the defaults, do the following:
Click the Restore Defaults button.
When you are done you can click the Main Menu button to continue using the program.
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