If you have a computer running the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, chances are you've had a problem with slow performance, freezeups or crashes. This is especially true of older computers. Why does this happen? Well your computer slows down for any number of reasons, but two of the main reasons are spyware/malware and Windows XP registry problems.

Chances are you've heard something about spyware. It's a popular, if infamous topic these days in the media and on the Internet. If you've never heard of the registry, don't worry, many computer users haven't. The Windows registry is simply a database where the Windows operating system stores all the settings it needs to work correctly. All your software applications will change the registry to accommodate their needs when they're installed. In many cases, that's the problem. When you add and remove software from your machine, the registry can become corrupt. Files can also go missing. If this happens, it can lead to all manner of problems, some of which you may be experiencing now.

The most typical symptoms of registry errors or corruption are slow performance and freeze ups. Extreme cases can lead to Windows refusing to go any further and displaying the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death" and HKEY errors. This is accompanied by dire sounding error messages that Windows has experienced errors and shut down to avoid damage to your computer. Most of the time your PC shuts down you can simply restart it and continue your work. If you had the misfortune to be working on your TPS report, a presentation for a new client, or your thesis, you probably lost everything since the last time you saved your work. If this is the case, you'll begin to realize why registry errors can be such a problem.

The good news is that, in most cases, the Windows registry can be cleaned or fixed. There is software available that can scan, clean and repair the registry. You can take your PC to a repair shop or technician, but on most occasions, they'll simply run the same software you can buy. Most of the better registry cleaning applications will go through your computer's registry with a fine toothed comb, looking for missing, corrupt or inaccurate parts of the registry. Once the scan has been run, you'll be presented with a few options on how to proceed. Thankfully, with most registry cleaners, one of those is some form of automatic repair. You simply click "clean" or "repair" and the software will do the rest.

It's typical for a well used XP machine to have upwards of 1,000 registry problems that need attention. With so many problems, it's easy to see how your PC can begin to feel a bit sluggish. The reality is that, depending upon what problems your registry is experiencing, your computer can begin to have noticeable performance degradation with far fewer registry errors. If your machine is experiencing this kind of behavior, it's a great idea to run a registry cleaner on it. It usually takes only a few minutes, and you'll be able to get back to work or play with fewer interruptions and maddening slowdowns. Your computer will be almost as good as new.

You'll probably never be so frustrated in your life as when your computer slows down, freezes up, or crashes. Sometimes you'll be unfortunate enough to experience all three, in that order. There are some common causes and solutions for these computer woes. You can solve your problems at the fix a slow computer guide.