Registry

Updated: 02/07/2022 by Computer Promise

Windows registry

The registry or Windows registry is a database of data, settings, options, and other values for software and hardware installed on all versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems. When a programme is installed, a new subkey is created in the registry. This subkey contains settings specific to that program, such every bit its location, version, and chief executable.

When Windows was initially released (e.g., Windows iii.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 beingness installed.

Data near the Registry Editor

To view and make changes to the Windows registry, the Windows Registry Editor (shown below) may be used. In Windows three.10, 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, plan, or driver values y'all experience are necessary.

Microsoft Windows Registry Editor

Registry root keys (hive name)

When first opening the Windows Registry Editor, information technology displays root keys that contain all registry values. Below is a brief clarification nearly each of the most common root keys and the values independent in each of them.

Root Central 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 reckoner-specific data about the hardware installed, software settings, and other information. The information is used for all users who log on to that computer. This cardinal, and its subkeys, is 1 of the most frequently areas of the registry viewed and edited by users.
HKU (HKEY_USERS) Contains data almost 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 reckoner.
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 condition, including problems.

Windows registry values

Below are the dissimilar values you encounter while in the Windows registry and a brief clarification about what type of data each value tin can comprise.

Icon Type Name Description
Registry closed key icon Closed central Like the folders seen in Windows Explorer. These keys are what contain the registry subkeys mentioned below.
Open key folder icon Open fundamental When a primal is opened, the icon changes to an expanded or open up folder and displays all its contents and any additional subkeys.
Registry REG_SZ icon REG_SZ String value Allows for whatever string value to be defined on a single line, such every bit a file path, and is the almost commonly found subkey in the registry.
Registry REG_MULTI_SZ icon REG_MULTI_SZ String array value Any multi-line cord value.
Registry REG_EXPAND_SZ icon REG_EXPAND_SZ Expanded string value Contains a string with ecology or system variables that need to be expanded. For example, c:\%windir%\example.exe could exist the same equally C:\windows\example.exe.
Registry REG_BINARY binary icon REG_BINARY Binary value Allows for attributes to be defined in binary as either on or off (0 or ane).
Registry REG_DWORD icon REG_DWORD DWORD value Similar to the binary value, but capable of values existence defined in either 32-chip decimal or hex.
Registry REG_QWORD icon 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 Manner, "registry" is written entirely in lowercase, except when part of a named system component (east.k., "Registry Editor"), or information technology's the first word of a judgement.

Database, Hive, Operating system terms, Registry cleaner