Understanding and Editing the Windows Registry - #1 - What is the Windows Registry?

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Understanding and Editing the Windows Registry

#1 / July 20, 2009 / 2:15 min.

What is the Windows Registry?

The

Windows Registry

is actually a database that stores all the information about your computer. The software, the devices, the files and much, much more has a home here. It's perfectly safe to work with the Registry as long as you understand certain things about it.

tweaking the Windows Registry

can also

speed up your computer without buying software

, can

fix computer problems

and more. Michael "Doctor File Finder" Callahan runs through this

beginner's guide to the Windows Registry in this video series

, complete with handy

Windows Registry tips and tricks

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show notes

Windows Registry

has been in every version of Windows since Windows 3.1.

- Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that contains all system information.

- Wikipedia on Windows Registry

- The Registry has some key divisions which consist of:

-

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

: Contains software settings, information on file associations, user interface information.

-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER

: Contains information regarding the currently logged-on user.

-

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

: Contains information on the software and hardware settings that pertain to all the users of the computer.

-

HKEY_USERS

: Contains information about each user of the computer and their unique settings.

-

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG

: Contains information about the current hardware configuration.

- It's safe to edit and change the Registry, so long as you do so with care and without using trial-and-error.

- Before editing the Registry you need to understand how it works.

- This series is designed to introduce you to the Windows Registry so you can feel comfortable with it.