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This article explains how to use the Windows Registry. The Registry is the
central storehouse for all settings for the Windows operating systems. This
includes hardware configuration, file associations, and control panel
settings. Many other programs will also store settings in the registry.

Accessing the Registry

To examine and modify the registry, use the regedit.exe program that is located
in the operating system directory.

To open regedit.exe, follow this procedure:

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. Choose "Run".

3. Enter "regedit" and press Enter.

Structure

The registry is made up of "Keys". Each key is like the branch of a tree. Each
key has one parent key, and zero or more child keys. Each key can contain zero
or more "Values", each of which contains a single piece of data.
To make navigating the registry a bit easier, you can think of the registry's
construction like your hard drives.

Hard drive <-> Registry

Folders <-> Keys

Files <-> Values

The registry contains 6 main keys:

• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT ---- Contains information on file types,

including which programs are used to open a particular file type.

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER ---- Contains user-specific settings that are

built from information in the HKEY_USERS key during the logon
process.

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ---- Contains computer specific information

including installed hardware and software. This is the one users tend to
spend the most time in.

• HKEY_USERS ---- Contains information (generic and user- specific)

about all the users who log on to the computer. The generic settings are
available to all users who log on to the computer. The information is made
up of default settings for programs, desktop configurations,and so on.
This key contains subkeys for each user that logs on to thecomputer.

• HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG ---- Contains information about the

computer's hardware configuration .

• HKEY_DYN_DATA ---- Contains real-time performance statistics on the

computer's hardware.
Warning:

Incorrectly editing the registry may severely damage your system. At the very least,
you should back up any valued data on the computer before making changes to the
registry.

If you do damage your system, you may be able to repair the registry or restore it to
the same version you were using when you last successfully started your computer.
Otherwise, you must reinstall Windows. When you reinstall your system, you may
lose any changes that have been made, such as Service Pack upgrades, which you
must reinstall separately

Backing-Up the Registry

On Windows NT, 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista the operating system does not allow the
user to directlymanipulate the registry files. To perform a backup, you must use the
Microsoft Backup Utility. To launch this utility, open the Start Menu, choose "Run",
enter"ntbackup.exe", and press the Enter key.

On Windows 95, 98, and ME, the registry is stored in two files, SYSTEM.DAT and
USER.DAT. SYSTEM.DAT contains all hardware and computer specific
information. USER.DAT contains all user-specific information.

These files are located in the operating system directory, typically

"c:\windows". However, if you are using "User Profiles", you should also backup the
User.dat files located in:

C:\Windows\Profiles\<username>
where <username> is the name of each user.

Creating The Registry Backup

To backup the registry, enter the following commands at the DOS prompt:

c:

cd \windows

xcopy /h system.dat d:\backup

xcopy /h user.dat d:\backup

Alternatively, if "User Profiles" are enabled, this example would change to:

xcopy /h c:\windows\system.dat d:\backup

xcopy /h c:\windows\profiles\<username>\user.dat d:\backup

Please note that these examples assume that the operating system directory is
"c:\windows"and the destination of the files is "d:\backup".

Restoring A Registry Backup

Simply reverse the above process. This is best done from DOS, since the registry files
could be in use,and Windows will have to be rebooted anyway. To enter DOS, open
the Start Menu, choose "Shut Down", then choose"Restart in MS-DOS Mode".
d:

cd \backup

xcopy /h system.dat c:\windows

xcopy /h user.dat c:\windows

Alternatively, if "User Profiles" are enabled, this example would change to:

xcopy /h d:\backup\system.dat c:\windows

xcopy /h d:\backup\user.dat c:\windows\profiles\<username>

Windows also makes its own backup of the registry each time it boots up. When you
don't have a good backup, you can try using the backup created by Windows. The
backup files are located in the operating system directory. The .dat extension is
changed to .da0. The following DOS commands would restore this backup:

c:

cd \windows

xcopy /h system.da0 system.dat

xcopy /h user.da0 user.dat

 Editing the Registry

Modifying the registry can potentially make Windows unbootable. Be

careful! Always make a backup of the registry before making changes.

To edit a registry value, first navigate the tree until the value is displayed. Usually,
you will know where you are going. If not, use the Find tool (described above).

In this example, we have navigated to the registry value that controls the delay before
a menu pops up.

To edit a value, double click on its name. If you are following this example, go ahead
and change the MenuShowDelay value from 100 to 0. After making this change, like
most changes made in the registry, you will need to reboot. After rebooting, all menus
should pop up noticeably faster.
 Exploring all the Functions of Regedit

Lets start with the basics

1. To find a string, value, or key

Open Registry Editor.

On the Edit menu, click Find.

In Find what, type the string, value, or key you want to find.

Selectthe Keys, Values, Data, and Match whole string only check boxes tomatch the
type of search you want, and then click Find Next.

2. To add a registry key to Favorites

Open Registry Editor.

Select the registry key you want to add to Favorites.

On the Favorites menu, click Add to Favorites.

In the Add to Favorites dialog box, accept the default registry key name or type a new
one.

Theregistry key is added to the Favorites list. You can then return tothis list by simply
selecting it from the Favorites menu.
3. To add a key

Open Registry Editor.

In the registry tree (on the left), click the registry key under which you would like to
add a new key.

On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.

Type a name for the new key, and then press ENTER.

4. To add a value

Open Registry Editor.

Click the key or entry where you want to add the new value.

Onthe Edit menu, point to New, and then click the type of value you wantto add:
String Value, Binary Value, DWORD Value, Multi-String Value, orExpandable
String Value.

Type a name for the new value, then press ENTER.

5. To change a value

Open Registry Editor.

Select the entry you want to change.

On the Edit menu, click Modify.

In Value data, type the new data for the value, and then click OK.
6. To delete a key or value

Open Registry Editor.

Click the key or entry you want to delete.

On the Edit menu, click Delete.

7. To rename a key or value

Open Registry Editor.

Click the key or entry you want to rename.

On the Edit menu, click Rename.

Type the new name, and then press ENTER.

8. To copy a registry key name

Open Registry Editor.

In the registry tree (on the left), click a registry key.

On the Edit menu, click Copy Key Name.

Paste the name of the registry key into another program or document.
9. To restore the registry

Open Registry Editor.

ClickOptions, and then click Print to print these instructions. (If you areusing the Help
and Support Center, click Print above the topic area.)They will not be available after
you shut down your computer in step 2.

Click Start, and then click Shut Down.

In the list, click Restart, and then click OK.

When you see the message Please select the operating system to start, press F8.

Use the arrow keys to highlight Last Known Good Configuration, and then press
ENTER.

NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will function.

Use the arrow keys to highlight an operating system, and then press ENTER.

Speedup your startup buttons

Speedup your startup buttons The earlier posts were to educate about registry
editor….

Now that we are ready to start playing with windows registry….

Now its time we start having some fun!!!

OK …..Here I go……..

How to make your start buttons work faster?

 1. Go to run and write regedit
2. Then click ok..
3. You will reach registry editor
4. Now click on HKEY_CURRENT_USER
5. Then go to CONTROL PANEL in the list
6. Then just click once on DESKTOP (which leads to a long list of files)
7. In the list there is a file called MenuShowDelay.
8. Double click on it and change 400 to 0.

Once you have changed the value from 400 to 0.click ok close registry editor and
restart you computer.

Now run you mouse over the start buttons to see how fast your start buttons work…..

Recycle bin removal trick

How to remove recycle bin from the desktop

• Go to run and type regedit and click ok.

• You have reached registry editor.

• Now navigate the following entries in the registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\

SOFTWARE\
Microsoft\

Windows\

CurrentVersion\

Explorer\

Desktop\

NameSpace\

{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

• Now Delete this key. i.e {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

• Now close registry editor and restart you computer.

Surprise Surprise you don’t have a recycle bin on your desktop any more…..

To get back the recycle bin on the desktop

• Navigate back through those registry entries

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\

SOFTWARE\

Microsoft\

Windows\

CurrentVersion\

Explorer\

Desktop\

NameSpace\
 • Now right click on NameSpace to create a new key.

• Rename the key to {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

• Now set the default value to Recycle Bin.

• Again restart your computer to find your recycle bin back.

Speedup Boot sequence trick

Speedup boot up sequence by defragmenting all key boot files

Go to run and type regedit and click ok.

You have reached registry editor.

Now navigate the following entries in the registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\

SOFTWARE\

Microsoft\

Dfrg\
BootoptimizeFunction

In the right hand panel look for enable .

Right click on it and set it to Y for enable

This will speed up boot time…..

Safe n quick shutdown trick

When ever you shutdown your computer it takes a lot of time in closing all the
running applications and worse if they stop responding then you have to click either
end task or wait for windows to shut it down.

Now here is a registry tip to automatically shut the non responding annoying
applications instantly

Go to run and type regedit and click ok.

You have reached registry editor.

Now navigate the following entries in the registry

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\

CONTROLPANEL\
DESKTOP\

Now look at the right side window for AutoEndTasks.

Assign its value to be 1 .its default value is 0

For Reverting the process is also simple just set it back to 0.

Add n remove programs listing correction

If you have removed an installed program and its files by deleting the files it may still
show up in the add and remove programs list in the control panel.

In order to remove them

Go to run and type regedit and click ok.

You have reached registry editor.

Now navigate the following entries in the registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/

SOFTWARE/
Microsoft/

Windows/

Currentversion/

Uninstall

Delete any programs from the list

Changing registered owners name trick

Changing the Registered Owner and Organization

• Go to run and type regedit and click ok.

• You have reached registry editor.

• Now navigate the following entries in the registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /

SOFTWARE /

Microsoft /

Windows /

CurrentVersion

• Modify the data for the 'Registered Owner' key or for 'Registered Organization.

• Restart the system for changes to take place.

Note:

This trick works on certain Operating systems, not all

ACCESS YOUR DESKTOP ICONS FROM YOUR TASKBAR:

Do you ever want to access your desktop, orshortcut icons on your desktop when your
screen is cluttered with windows whichyou don't want to minimize?

A simple solution. Place a shortcut to your desktop atop your START Menu. Here's how:

1) Right click on your TASKBAR and choose PROPERTIES.

2) Select the START MENU PROGRAMS tab, then the ADVANCED button.

3) In the right panel, under the PROGRAMS folder, you will see any shortcuts you have
already placed atop your START menu. Right click here in the white space here and
choose NEW, then SHORTCUT.

4. In the command line for your shortcut, type c:\windows\desktop (If your Windows
directory has another name, substitute that name for windows).

5. Click NEXT. Then in the name box, name your shortcut Desktop.

6. Click the FINISH button.

7. Close the Explorer window, then click ok in TASKBAR PROPERTIES.

8. Now, open START on your taskbar. VOILA! Your desktop folder icon should be visible.
Click it to open your desktop folder.

Success!

You will now be able to view and access your desktop shortcut icons (notnon-shortcut
icons). If you want ALL desktop icons to be visible (Recycle Bin, My Computer etc.), you
will need to place shortcuts to these other icons onyour desktop.
Hint:

If you normally hide your taskbar, so that it is not always on top of other windows, you can
access it at any time from any program by pressing andholding control, then pressing
escape (the ESC key at top left of your keyboard). You may then quickly choose your
desktop folder and access desktop icons as well as any other programs accessible via your
taskbar and programsmenu.

OPEN ANY NEW DOCUMENT FROM YOUR DESKTOP:

Yes, we can teach you how to edit your Windows registry in order to add any new document to your desktop -
and in a future tip, wewill!

But the easiest way to add any new document to your desktop, whether

or not it is listed in your NEW menu is to simply:

1) Right click on your desktop and choose NEW.

2) Choose TEXT document (assuming it is listed there, and associated with Notepad or the equivalent).
Otherwise, choose any kind of document included in your NEW menu.

3) Retype the name by clicking inside the name box and typing OR by right clicking the icon, selecting
RENAME, the typing. Type in a document name, and the extension for the kind of document you

wish to open (e.g. .doc for Microsoft Word).

NOTE: The above tip assumes that you have associated this document with a particular program on your
computer. If not:

1) In MY COMPUTER, select view, options, then the FILE TYPES tab.

2) Choose NEW TYPE.

3) In the DESCRIPTION box, type a name for the kind of document or file you are associating (e.g. Adobe
Acrobat file)

4) In the ASSOCIATED EXTENSION field, type the extension of the kind of file inquestion (e.g. pdf).

5) Below the ACTIONS field, choose NEW.

6) Type OPEN (in capitals).

7) Using the BROWSE button, browse to find the executable program (usually ending with .exe, in the
primary directory for the program) of the software which will open this particular file type. Select it.

Click ok or close until you've exited all your open screens.

9) Now your document type is associated. When you type in the extension on a file you create from the
desktop and then double click on the icon, Windows will open its program.

OPEN EXPLORER RATHER THAN MY COMPUTER TO VIEW FILES:

(This is a great tip!! One of the most usefulcustomizations...)

Have you created drive icons for your hard drives and floppy drives on your desktop.

If so, you may wish that they opened in the two-paned Explorer view, rather than in My Computer.

To change the default view to Explorer:

1) Open Explorer (from Start, Programs, Explorer, or if you have created it, from the Explorer icon on your
desktop).

2) Choose the View, Options menu.

3) Select the File Types tab.

4). Under registered file types, double click on FOLDER.

5) From the list of actions, select explore.

6) Click on the SET DEFAULT button at bottom right!

Now when you double click on a folder or open a drive icon shortcut Explorer will open instead of My
Computer.

Create a link to shutdown your PC:

To create a useful link desktop link to shutdownor restart your PC, follow these directions:
Right click on an empty area of your desktop, then select 'new' and 'shortcut' to open the
new shortcut wizard. When prompted for the location of the shortcut, enter SHUTDOWN
-s -t 01 to shutdown the system or SHUTDOWN -r -t 01 to restart the system. Name the
shortcut and give it an appropriate icon from the '%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll'
location.

Rename multiple files simultaneously:

In windows XP explorer, you can rename multiple files at the same time simply by
highlighting all the files you wish to change, right clicking one of them and selecting
'rename.' Once you have done this, all the files will share the same name with a number in
brackets differentiating them.

Clean out the prefetch folder:

Windows XP uses a system called 'prefetch' to organize and preload some of the data
necessary for commonly used applications and files. A folder called prefetch is used to store
the information that the operating system needs to carry out the operation. After several
months of use, the prefetch folder may become quite overloaded with older references to
software and files that may no longer be in use. It's a good idea to manually empty the
older files out of the prefetch folder every few months or so. To do this: Navigate to
'c:\windows\prefetch' and delete all .PF files that are older than a week or two.
Set priority for individual programs:

If you regularly multi-task while you are working at your computer, but some of the
applications you use require more horsepower than others to work effectively (for example
using Adobe Photoshopalong with Word or other less demanding programs), you may
want to consider setting a custom priority for the high-demand applications. Priority is
how the operating system determines how to share the processor time among applications.
Most applications default to the 'normal' priority, so by setting your high demand
application higher, you can increase its performance when multitasking. To do this: Load
the program you wish to change the priority for and press CTRL+ALT+DEL to bring up
the Task Manager. Select the applications tab and highlight your program. Right click the
program and select 'go to process.' Now right click on the highlighted process and choose
'set priority.' The higher you set the priority above normal, the more CPU time the
program will steal from other applications when you are multitasking.