The registry or Windows registry is a database of information, settings, options, and other values for software and hardware installed on all versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems. When a program is installed, a new subkey is created in the registry. This subkey contains settings specific to that program, such as its location, version, and primary executable.
When Windows was initially released (e.g., Windows 3.11), it relied heavily on .ini files to store Windows and Windows programs configurations and settings. Although .ini files are still sometimes used, most Windows programs rely on settings made to the Windows registry after being installed.
In Windows 98, the registry files are named User.dat and System.dat. In Windows Millennium Edition, the registry files are named Classes.dat, User.dat, and System.dat. Note Security features in Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista let an administrator control access to registry keys. Overview The Registry is a database used to store settings and options for the 32 bit versions of Microsoft Windows including Windows 95, 98, ME and NT/2000. It contains information and settings for all the hardware, software, users, and preferences of the PC. The Registry contains information used by Windows and your programs. The Registry helps the operating system manage the computer, it helps programs use the computer’s resources, and it provides a location for keeping custom settings you make in both Windows and your programs. Windows registry basics. What is the Windows registry? How do I open and edit the Windows registry? Windows registry questions and answers. How to edit the registry from the command line. Do I need a Windows registry cleaner? How to back up and restore the Windows registry. How do I add a Windows registry key?
Information about the Registry Editor
To view and make changes to the Windows registry, the Windows Registry Editor (shown below) may be used. In Windows 3.x, the Registry Editor was known as the Registration Info Editor or Registration Editor. The Registry Editor allows you to view all keys and values that are in the registry, and change Windows, program, or driver values you feel are necessary.
Registry root keys (hive name)
When first opening the Windows Registry Editor, it displays root keys that contain all registry values. Below is a brief description about each of the most common root keys and the values contained in each of them.
| Root Key | Description |
|---|---|
| HKCR (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT) | Describes file type, file extension, and OLE information. |
| HKCU (HKEY_CURRENT_USER) | Contains user who is currently logged in to Windows and their settings. |
| HKLM (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE) | Contains computer-specific information about the hardware installed, software settings, and other information. The information is used for all users who log on to that computer. This key, and its subkeys, is one of the most frequently areas of the registry viewed and edited by users. |
| HKU (HKEY_USERS) | Contains information about all the users who log on to the computer, including both generic and user-specific information. |
| HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC) | The details about the current configuration of hardware attached to the computer. |
| HKDD (HKEY_DYN_DATA) | Only used in Windows 95, 98, and NT, the key contained the dynamic status information and plug and play information. The information may change as devices are added to or removed from the computer. The information for each device includes the related hardware key and the device's current status, including problems. |
Windows registry values
Below are the different values you encounter while in the Windows registry and a brief description about what type of data each value can contain.
| Icon | Type | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed key | Like the folders seen in Windows Explorer. These keys are what contain the registry subkeys mentioned below. | ||
| Open key | When a key is opened, the icon changes to an expanded or open folder and displays all its contents and any additional subkeys. | ||
| REG_SZ | String value | Allows for any string value to be defined on a single line, such as a file path, and is the most commonly found subkey in the registry. | |
| REG_MULTI_SZ | String array value | Any multi-line string value. | |
| REG_EXPAND_SZ | Expanded string value | Contains a string with environmental or system variables that need to be expanded. For example, c:%windir%example.exe could be the same as C:windowsexample.exe. | |
| REG_BINARY | Binary value | Allows for attributes to be defined in binary as either on or off (0 or 1). | |
| REG_DWORD | DWORD value | Similar to the binary value, but capable of values being defined in either 32-bit decimal or hex. | |
| REG_QWORD | QWORD value | Like the DWORD, but stored as a 64-bit value. |
Should I use 'registry' or 'Registry' in my writing?
According to the Microsoft Manual of Style, 'registry' is written entirely in lowercase, except when part of a named system component (e.g., 'Registry Editor'), or it's the first word of a sentence.
Related pages
Database, Hive, Operating system terms, Registry cleaner
Learn the Basics of Windows Registry Editor
Before working in Registry Editor which is more incredible and powerful tool, you must have sufficient knowledge about the basics of Windows Registry Editor.
Previously, we have been gone through How To Restart Windows’ Explorer.Exe Using Taskbar And Start Menu and How to Add Control Panel Shortcut to Windows 10 Right Click Menu
We have also discussed about Everything You Need To Know Windows 11 Release Date, Features And Improvement.
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Through your feedback, I felt to write about the very basics of Windows Registry Editor for all Windows Systems.
So, let’s start our tutorial about the basics of windows registry editor.
The command prompt is a Registry Editor alternative. So you can imagine the importance of this tool. Whenever you need to tweak up some components of the Window, you must have to make changes in the Registry.
For those who are working in computers must have knowledge about the basics of the registry hacks. Here, in this article, we’ll tell you about Windows Registry.
What is Registry Editor?
The Registry Editor is a categorized database that has all the configurations about all components, applications, services, and many more used in Windows.
Here, in the Registry two basic concepts are used:
- Keys: Registry object are originally are folders and their interface also looks like folders.
- Values: the values are the objects such as files in a folder. These values contain the actual settings of the applications and services being used in Windows
If you are a beginner and opening Registry Editor for the first time, you will see a window pane presented at the left side of the main window which contains all the keys being used in Window.
The keys have their values which will be given in the right side pane. It is all about its general window interface.
Try these also:
Each key which you can see in the above screen shot has its own importance and it contains a different set of information than other keys. So, it depends upon you, which type of key and values you want to edit or change.
Three of five root-level keys linked together to contain a heavy set of the information. When you remove a bulk of information in the Registry, surely you wouldn’t find your PC’s Windows in stable condition.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
This section is used to take actions on Windows file types and their associations. Normally, this key is used with the abbreviation of HKCR and it is linked with HKLMSoftwareClasses.
This can also be used to tweak the context menu for a specific file type.
II. HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Generally, it is abbreviated as HKCU. It is being used to hold all the settings of the user who is currently logged in and it is linked with HKEY_USERS<SID-FOR-CURRENT-USER>.
Most of the part of user-level settings is present in its sub-key HKLMSoftware.
III. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
This section is abbreviated as HKLM and it contains all system-wide settings. Whenever you need to check the machine-wide settings, you have to use the HKLM/system key.
IV. HKEY_USERS
This section contains all the settings of all the users of the system. Whenever you need to check the settings of a user on your system, you can use this key. It is also abbreviated as HKCU
V. HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
It contains the information of the current hardware configuration. This key is linked to HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetHardware ProfilesCurrent.
Those who are too much technical with hardware can use this key.
Building new Keys and Values:
In the left-hand pane, when you right-click on any key a set of options will appear in a sub-menu which you can understand with ease. These options are simple and understandable.
When you build up a new key it will appear in the left-hand pane of the Registry Editor window and its values will appear on the right-hand side. Some values that are regularly used are:
· String Value (REG_SZ):
As its name shows that it contains string values that can be fit in a string. Human-understandable strings can also be edited without breaking everything
· Binary Value (REG_BINARY):
Here, it is difficult to edit these keys because there are the values in the form of arbitrary binary data.
· DWORD (32-bit) Value (REG_DWORD):
It contains regular integer values. It can either be 0 or 1, or 0 to 4,294,967,295.
· QWORD (64-bit) Value (REG_QWORD):
It is basically a 64-bit integer value which is commonly not used very often for registry hacks.
· Multi-String Value (REG_MULTI_SZ:
These values work like a text editor window. You can add multi-textual information to it.
· Expandable String Value (REG_EXPAND_SZ):
It contains environment variables which are used for system paths.
Let’s learn some other basics of Windows registry editor.
The Favorites Menu:
In the Favorites Menu of the Registry Editor, there are many useful and interesting features in it that is normally used to check a registry location regularly. Here, the interesting thing is that you can export the list of favorites. The list of favorites can be used on another computer without having to browse down for the keys. Just add them to the favorites menu.
If you want to bookmark something you can use this one. When you are looking for multiple locations, you can easily get back to the location you were at.
How to Export Registry File?
Exporting a registry keys is very simple and easy. Just right-click on the key and choose Export. In case, when you start changing your system’s settings via registry, it becomes important to export files.
Once you got your exported keys, double-click on it to enter the information back to the registry. If you choose edit you can have a look at the contents in Notepad.
The format of these files is very simple and understandable. Value names are appeared at left and actual values in right-side.
How to set Permissions?
In the registry hacks, some values need permissions to be changed because of default settings. You can make it possible to change this scheme or edit registry values by right-clicking and choosing Permissions. Now you are able to adjust them according to your need.
Edit of these keys need a bulk of data to be changed. So, it is better to leave them without diving in their values.
Loading Registry Hives:
If you want to load a registry from an offline system, you must use File > Load Hive feature. You need to load Registry Hives when you troubleshoot on another computer to check that what is going on in Registry for a system which isn’t booting. So, you have to boot the system from a rescue disk, a live Window CD, then copy the registry files onto your thumb derives.
Now, open copied registry files on another computer and look for using Registry Hive option.
Registry Editor Download For Windows 10
Where these Registry Files Stored?
Windows Registry Basics Online
Most of these files are stored in the WindowsSystem32Config folder
In the above screen shot you can see SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, and SYSTEM files which are the same as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
All the data of the current user of the key HKEY_CURRENT_USER is stored in a usual folder with hidden file named as NTUSER.DAT.
one of the most important task in the basics of Windows Registry Editor is taking backup of the registry
Backup of the Registry:
When you hack the registry, it is become important to have its backup too. The whole registry file cannot be exported or it wouldn’t work. The files cannot be accessed on the hard derive because they are locked.
So the best option to get a backup of your registry files, Create a system store point.
Important Things to Note:
The registry hacks is more technical then usual hacks. Many people don’t believe in the registry hacks but it doesn’t mean that these hacks don’t work. When you remove bulk of values and information from the registry, your system may not get stable condition for use.
Well, this is all about the basics of Windows Registry Editor.
Hopefully, the article has developed a registry master skill in you after reading, you can share with us via comments section.
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