Overview of Windows Registry

Q. What is Windows Registry?

Windows stores its configuration information in a database called the registry.

For example, new file extension, Settings in a browser and Virtual memory etc.

The registry contains profiles for each user of the computer and information about system hardware, installed programs, and property settings. Windows continually references this information during its operation.

Q. How to access & modify Windows Registry?

Registry editors are available that enable you to inspect and modify the registry. However, you should not need to do so. Instead, allow Windows programs to modify the system registry as needed. It is strongly recommended that you do not edit registry settings yourself.

To access the registry; type “regedit” in StartàRun. Following is the registry keys.

Practice-Ex1.

Step1: Type following lines in notepad

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]

"Anchor Underline"="yes"

"Start Page"=http://lan.aztechcomputers.com/

Step2: Save file as “test.reg”

Step3: Right Click “test.reg”àMerge

Practice Ex2.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system]

"legalnoticecaption"="Aztech Computers (ACL)"

"legalnoticetext"="Hello! Friend,

Please take proper care of this system both

Software & Hardware

Thank you,

Administrator"

"shutdownwithoutlogon"=dword:00000000