How to use Windows Registry Editor

Registry Editor is an advanced application that allows you to access and edit the configuration settings of the Windows operating system.

The Windows Registry is a database that contains various settings used by the operating system and installed software applications.

However, be cautious when using Registry Editor, as making incorrect changes to the Registry can cause serious issues with your system, including preventing it from booting properly.

Therefore, before using this guide to modify the Windows Registry, please create a backup of the Registry first.

What is the Windows Registry

The Windows Registry database stores configuration options and settings for the Windows operating system and software installed on your computer.

The Registry is organized in a hierarchical structure that contains keys and values, with five different 'root' keys at the top, as shown below, each serving a specific purpose.

The five different root keys in the Windows registry and their purposes are:

1. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR): This key stores information about file associations and OLE object classes.
2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU): This key stores information about the current user's settings and specific user preferences for various applications.
3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM): This key stores information that affects the entire computer, regardless of the logged-in user. These settings are intended for computer hardware, operating system configurations, and software settings that affect all users.
4. HKEY_USERS (HKU): This key stores information about all users who have logged into the computer.
5. HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC): This key stores information about the current computer hardware configuration.

For the most part, you will be modifying keys and values under the root keys HKCU and HKLM.

Registry keys act like folders containing other keys and values used to organize and group related settings.

For example, the HKEY_CURRENT_USER key contains settings for the current user account, such as the user's desktop wallpaper, installed application preferences, and personal settings.

While keys act like folders, Registry values are files stored within them, containing specific settings for the respective key. They can have different data types, including text, numbers, and binary data.

There are several different types of Registry value data types:

• REG_SZ - a string value containing text data, such as a username or folder path.
• REG_DWORD - a numeric value containing a 32-bit integer.
• REG_QWORD - a numeric value containing a 64-bit integer.
• REG_BINARY - a value containing binary data, such as image or sound files.
• REG_MULTI_SZ - a string value containing multiple strings separated by null characters. This is often used for lists or arrays of values.

Each type of Registry value is used for a specific purpose, and understanding them can help you manage and customize your Windows operating system better.

However, for the most part, when editing the Registry, you will be changing REG_SZ values for text data and REG_DWORD values for numeric data, as these are the most commonly used data types for storing user-editable data.

Using the Windows Registry Editor

The Windows Registry Editor is a software application created by Microsoft and built into all versions of Windows that allows you to edit data in the Registry.

The Registry Editor application is located at C:\\Windows\\regedit.exe and generally requires administrator rights to use properly.

To open the Registry Editor, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Next, type regedit in the search box and press Enter. If you are prompted with a confirmation asking if you want to allow the program to make changes, select 'Yes' to proceed.

When the Registry Editor is opened, you will see that the window is divided into two panels. The left panel displays the hierarchical tree structure of various Registry keys (folders) and subkeys (subfolders).

The right panel displays the values and data associated with the selected key in the left panel.

To open a specific Registry key, use the left panel to navigate to the key you want to edit. Then expand the key and click the plus sign (+) next to it.

To collapse a key, click the minus sign (-) next to it.

When you click on a key in the left panel, the values stored within it will be displayed in the right panel.

Now that we know how to navigate the Windows Registry, let's learn how to modify the data stored within it.

Creating a New Registry Key

When configuring new settings in the Windows Registry, you may need to create keys at some point.

Use these steps to create a new key in the Registry:

1. Right-click on the key where you want to create a new subkey in the left panel.
2. Select New -> Key.
3. Enter a name for the new key and press Enter.

Creating a Registry Value

Since Registry values contain data that configures how applications or Windows operate, you typically need to create Registry values.

Use these steps to create a Registry value:

1. Navigate to the key where you want to create a value.
2. Right-click on the key and select "New" then choose the type of value you want to create. The types of values you can create are explained in the previous section.
3. Name the new value by typing it into the appearing box.
4. Double-click on the new value to edit its data.
5. Enter the desired value data and click OK.

Renaming a Registry Key

Sometimes you may need to rename a Registry key, for example, if there is a typing error.

To rename a Registry key, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the key you want to rename.
2. Right-click on the key and select Rename.
3. Enter the new name for the key in the editable field.
4. Click anywhere to save the changes.

Renaming a Registry Value

Sometimes you may need to rename a Registry value, for example, if there is a typing error.

To rename a Registry value, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the value you want to rename in the right panel and select Rename.
2. Enter the new name for the key in the editable field.
3. Click anywhere to save the changes.

Editing Registry Value Data

To make changes to a Registry value, follow these steps:

1. Double-click on the value you want to edit in the right panel.
2. The Edit dialog box will appear.
3. Enter the new value for the key in the 'value data' field.
4. Click OK to save your changes.

Exporting a Registry Key

It is possible to export Registry keys and all their subkeys and values to a registry file.

Registry files end with .reg, and when you double-click one in Windows, the data will be imported back into the Registry. Exporting Registry keys helps create a backup before you make changes to the Registry.

1. Right-click on the key you want to export in the left panel.
2. Select Export.
3. Choose a location to save the exported key and give it a name.
4. Click Save.

Importing a Registry Key

If you have previously exported a key, you can import its data back into the Registry by importing the file using the following steps:

1. Click File -> Import.
2. Navigate to the location where you saved the exported key.
3. Select the key file and click Open.

Deleting a Registry Key

If you need to delete a Registry key, use the following steps.

1. Right-click on the key you want to delete in the left panel.
2. Select 'Delete' from the menu.
3. Confirm that you want to delete the key by clicking Yes.

Deleting a Registry Value

If you need to delete a Registry value, use the following steps.

1. Right-click on the value you want to delete in the right panel.
2. Select 'Delete' from the menu.
3. Confirm that you want to delete the value by clicking Yes.

Once you have finished using the Registry Editor, you can close it by clicking the X in the window or by clicking File > Exit.

With these steps, you can now use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate and edit the Registry.

However, it is crucial to be careful when making changes to the Registry, as incorrect changes can cause serious issues with your system.

It is always recommended to back up your Registry before making any changes.