Windows Registry Basics

The Windows Registry is a database within Windows that stores important computer wide settings from applications and the Windows operating system itself as well as information about the computer hardware and individual user settings and preferences.

Within Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, the registry is split into user registry hives and system registry hives. The system registry hives (which store global or computer settings that apply to the whole of the computer and Windows) are stored in various files within C:\Windows\System32\Config. The user registry hives are specific to each user and are stored in each profile folder - e.g. C:\Documents and Settings\User1 or C:\Users\User1 (where User1 is the name of the user).

Editing the registry

Since the Windows registry stores various settings that control how Windows operates, it is important to first create a backup of any portions of the registry that you plan on changing before you make those changes!

To edit and backup parts of the registry, we use the builtin Windows tool called "regedit". This can be accessed by typing in "regedit" into the Windows Run box (start > run or "Windows" + "R" on the keyboard) and then clicking "OK".

Exporting and Backing up parts of the registry

Now that you have opened regedit, you must browse to the respective part of the registry that you would like to edit (firstly we will back it up). Then highlight the Hive, Key or subkey in the left hand pane and select File > Export or "right click" and Export. Browse to where you would like to save the file, give it a meaningful name, ensure the file type is set to "Registration Files (*.reg)" and click Save.

You can now (relatively) safely make the registry change you need to and should you need to revert the registry back to what it was before you made your change, you can do so by "double clicking" your saved .reg file or "right clicking" and selecting "Merge".

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