This article describes the registry. This article also includes
information about how to edit the registry, and lists references for
additional information.
The Microsoft Computer Dictionary, Fifth Edition, defines the
registry as:
A central hierarchical database used in Microsoft Windows 9x,
Windows CE, Windows NT, and Windows 2000 used to store information
necessary to configure the system for one or more users,
applications and hardware devices.
The Registry contains information that Windows continually
references during operation, such as profiles for each user, the
applications installed on the computer and the types of documents
that each can create, property sheet settings for folders and
application icons, what hardware exists on the system, and which
ports are being used.
The Registry replaces most of the text-based .ini files used in
Windows 3.x and MS-DOS configuration files, such as the Autoexec.bat
and Config.sys. Although the Registry is common to several Windows
platforms, there are some differences among them.
Registry data is stored in binary files. To modify registry data, a
program must use the registry functions that are defined in the Microsoft Platform SDK. Administrators can modify
the registry by using Registry Editor (Regedit.exe or Regedt32.exe).
To edit the registry, Microsoft recommends that you follow the steps
in the Microsoft documentation only. If possible, use the Windows user
interface instead of directly editing the registry.
You can edit the registry by using Registry Editor (Regedit.exe or
Regedt32.exe). If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you can cause
serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating
system. Microsoft does not guarantee that problems that you cause by
using Registry Editor incorrectly can be resolved. Use Registry Editor
at your own risk. For additional information about the differences
between Regedit.exe and Regedt32.exe, click the article number below
to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q141377
Differences Between Regedit.exe and Regedt32.exe
Before you modify the registry, make sure to back up the registry, and
make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem
occurs. For additional information about backing up and restoring the
registry, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q322756 HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the
Registry in Windows XP
Q322755
HOW TO: Backup, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows 2000
Q323170
HOW TO: Backup, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows NT 4.0
Q322754
HOW TO: Backup, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows 95,
Windows 98, and Windows Me