This list includes only freewarein other words, onlycompletelyfree registry cleaners.
CCleaner
Creates a backup file before making any changes to the registry.
Contains outstanding feature set.
Offers installable and portable versions.
Installer adds another program unless expressly denied permission.
Could use expanded documentation for new users.
Free only for home users.
CCleaneris the best free registry cleaner program I’ve tested.
Piriform provides both installable and portable versions of their free registry cleaner.
I tested the latest version, CCleaner v6, in Windows 11 using both their portable and installable versions.
It can also clean the registry in Windows 10, 8, and 7.
You should only use free registry cleaners to troubleshoot specific issues.
Wise Registry Cleaner
Easy to use.
Automatically backs up registry before cleaning.
Some features appear free, but require payment.
Wise Registry Cleaner comes in very close to the other top-rated registry fix tools.
They’ve put together a fantastic free registry cleaner program.
I tested the installable edition of v11 in Windows 11.
Auslogics Registry Cleaner
One-click cleaning.
Can be paused and then continue later.
Nicely formatted report of problems found and fixed.
Lets you create a portable version.
Tries to install additional programs during setup.
Several extra features aren’t free.
One nice feature is the extremely detailed reports page.
Auslogics Registry Cleaner was updated to v10 when I tested it.
Registry Repair
Creates backup automatically.
No option to create a restore point.
May venture to install unneeded programs during setup.
Glarysoft’s Registry Repair is another good freeware registry cleaner.
I appreciate that backups are made automatically because you never know when you might need one.
I tested v5.0.1 in Windows 10 and Windows 7.
JetClean
Clean, intuitive interface.
Automatically backs up registry.
Tries to install toolbar during installation.
Portable version generated within installed version.
Keeps a lot of cookies.
It scanned the entire registry in just a few seconds and has a well-designed interface.
There are two major things I don’t like about JetClean.
One: The number of cookies that it considers keepable, by default, is a bit excessive.
I also don’t like that there’s not an easily available portable version of the program.
I tested v1.5.0 in Windows 10 and Windows 7.
This is probably its final version; it hasn’t been updated in ages.
Kingsoft PC Doctor
Includes additional useful tools.
Hasn’t been updated in years.
Can’t fix all identified problems, which reappear on subsequent scans.
Kingsoft PC Doctor is another registry cleaner embedded in a software suite.
This is probably the final version of this software, considering it hasn’t been updated anytime recently.
PowerTools Lite
Interface isn’t confusing.
Generates automatic registry backups.
Interface shows its age.
Lots of options increase the chance of causing problems.
Not as user-friendly as other registry cleaners.
PowerTools Lite is a freeware registry cleaner created by Macecraft, makers of several popular Windows utilities.
No toolbars or other programs tried to install like with some other free registry cleaners.
It works with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
However, the tool isn’t supported below Windows 7.
Eusing Free Registry Cleaner
User-friendly interface.
Scans for invalid or obsolete information.
Insufficient descriptions of registry problems.
May require using RegEdit after scan.
Remember, a registry cleaner program is not a regular PC maintenance tool.
Registry cleaners don’t typically speed up your setup or provide any other day-to-day improvements to your PC.
Registry cleaners should only be used to help solve specific kinds of problems.
Eusing Software says the program works on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
I tested v4.6 in Windows 10.
Argente Registry Cleaner
Choice of two analysis modes.
Easy to undo changes to registry.
Backs up registry automatically.
It found about as many issues as the other programs in this list.
I tested v3.1 on Windows 10 and Windows 7.
There’s also aportable version of Argente Registry Cleaner on Softpedia.
EasyCleaner
Automatic registry backup before scan.
Includes other useful tools.
Plenty of configs options.
Doesn’t work with more recent versions of Windows.
EasyCleaner is one of the oldest free registry cleaners out there.
Both installer and portable versions of this tool are available.
Little Registry Cleaner
Portable version.
Open source, multi-language software.
Slower than some other programs in this field.
Development appears to have ended.
This free Windows Registry cleaner program packs some great features into a minimal program.
Little Registry Cleaner should work fine with any recent version of Windows, plus older ones like Windows XP.
I tested version 1.6.0 in Windows 10 and didn’t run into any problems.
Free Window Registry Repair
Options for full and custom scans.
Option to back up registry.
Can be set to scan registry at system startup automatically.
Insufficient guidance on how to use the program.
Requires multiple scans to identify all errors.
Try this registry cleaner if youneedto, skip it and try a better one if you don’t.
There’s an installable and a portable version available.
I successfully used Free Window Registry Repair to clean up the registry in both Windows 10 and Windows 7.
Secure Eraser
Attractive, easy-to-use interface.
Scan generates list of obsolete and invalid files.
Asks permission to install unrelated program.
Annoying prompts to upgrade to paid version.
After cleaning the registry, a results page will display in your surfing app.
This can be annoying, but it’s easily toggled off from the parameters.
It works with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
nCleaner
Complete toolset.
Aggressive cleaner best for experienced users.
Hasn’t been upgraded in years.
New users could end up deleting items the computer needs.
nCleaner seems to be as good a registry cleaner as any other in this area of this list.
It does all your standard registry cleaning, as well as some system cleaning.
v2.3.4 is the one I tested.
ACleaner
Scans all or part of the registry.
Provides list of all errors.
Removes all or selected errors.
Contains unrelated tools that new users may find confusing.
It works with Windows 11 down through Windows 2000.
I tested v5 in both Windows 10 and Windows 7 and didn’t find any problems.
PCSleek Error Cleaner
Backs up registry before scan.
Option to automatically repair items after each scan.
Restore deleted items any time.
PCSleek Error Cleaner is a registry cleaner with an easy-to-use interface.
PCSleek is said to work in Windows 7, Vista, and XP.
I tested v3.46 in Windows 8 without any issues.
Registry Recycler
Clean interface.
Defrags the registry in addition to scanning for errors.
Available in installed and portable versions
Option to schedule daily or weekly registry check.
Sometimes requires multiple scans to find all errors.
Some virus scanners call it “unwanted” or “deceptive” software.
I’ve included it because I appreciate the ability to run registry error checks on a schedule.
In addition to cleaning, Registry Recycler can also defrag the registry.
Registry Recycler works with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Registry Distiller
Fast scan quickly locates errors.
Clunky interface isn’t easy to work with.
No option to select custom areas of the registry.
However, that being said, it apparently does a great job finding errors.
It’s said to work in Windows Vista and XP.
I tested Registry Distiller version 1.03 in Windows 8 and Windows 7 and didn’t have any issues.
SS Registry Fixer
Super easy to use.
Option to back up registry enabled by default.
Contains only basic functions.
This free registry cleaner from SS-Tools is likely one of the easiest programs I’ve ever used.
Only one option is available with Registry Fixer, which is to back up the registry before cleaning.
I’m glad that’s there, and it’s even enabled by default, which is great.
Toolwiz Care
Clean and colorful interface.
Option to set restore point.
Huge collection of tools.
Registry cleaner is only one of 50 tools, which can be overwhelming.
May require multiple scans to locate all errors.
Insufficient help for new users.
The register cleaner runs quickly, categories the errors, and removes them in nearly an instant.
It even seemed to find more registry issues than some of the other programs from this list.
In this way, it’s like a portable tool and a regular installer built into one.
Toolwiz Care works with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
MV RegClean
Powerful backup and restore features.
Portable version also available.
Multiple scans may be needed to remove all errors.
While testing this program, it seemingly found many more problems than most of the others in this list.
The registry is automatically backed up, so theres no need to do it manually.
Your Cleaner
Makes automatic backup of registry before scan.
Scans registry for all files or selected file types.
Download is a RAR file.
Default language for installer may be Estonian (but it can be changed).
Your Cleaner is a nice registry cleaner with an easy-to-use interface.
Also, the registry is automatically backed up before any cleaning is performed, which is a nice feature.
Your Cleaner works with all versions of Windows.
I tested v1.11 in Windows 10 and Windows 8.
The download is aRAR file, meaning you’ll need a program like7-Zipto open it.
RegScrubVistaXP
Efficient registry-cleaning function.
Options to scan entire registry or only sections.
No automatic backup feature.
RegScrubVistaXP may not look modern at all, but the registry cleaning function is very good.
This program found many more invalid registry entries than most of the programs in this list.
With that being said, its really not the most user-friendly program out there.
Registry Life
Clean user interface.
Backs up before scanning.
Offers to install promotional and third-party software.
Registry Life should work with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 8 down through Windows XP.
It worked for me in Windows 10, but the startup optimizer didn’t always function as advertised.
TweakNow RegCleaner
Offers regular and deep scanning options.
Fast scans and defrags.
Creates backup before scanning.
Doesn’t delete anything until instructed to do so.
Difficult to identify which items will be removed and which will stay.
TweakNow RegCleaner is another registry cleaner that serves as a suite with many other built-in tools.
TweakNow RegCleaner works with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
