Windows Registry Explained

What is the Registry and why is it so important

The Windows Registry is one of the most important parts of your computer system.  Every configuration setting and user setting is located in the Registry.  The start up information is also stored here. The Windows registry is a hierarchical database that stores important data that is responsible for almost every operation on your computer.  If the Windows Registry becomes corrupted or is too large your computer will become sluggish or even stop functioning. In a hierarchical database things are organized in a parent child sibling type structure, in the Registry these are Keys, Sub-keys and values. Anytime you use Windows to make a change or access a program you are accessing and or changing the Registry files on your computer.  These type of changes are being made behind the scenes and you would never be aware of the changes.  Another way to change the Registry files is to access them directly through the Registry Editor. Keys are basically storage containers that can store other keys or values. Extreme caution should be used when manually changing the Windows Registry files from the Registry Editor.  If you make a mistake here it could result in a catastrophic loss of function.

The top level keys in the registry are:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR) Settings here contain information about files, file types and how Windows handles files

HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU) Each user for a computer has different Registry settings.  The settings in this key control the appearance and behavior of each users settings along with the different security permissions for each user.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM) Settings here track the computer, it’s operating sytem and it’s hardware.  They include information on drivers, printer ports, all connected devices amoung other things.

HKEY_USERS (HKU) Settings in this key control the settings for each individual user including the user profiles and login information along with display settings.

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC) Settings here contain information about the hardware and how it is configured and is similar to the way the HKU key keeps track of the users.

Below these top level keys are Subkeys and below those are values.

In summary: your machine needs a well maintained and organized Windows Registry to function properly.  Many other problems such as virus programs, adware programs, spyware can compromise the operation of a computer but a corrupted Registry will hurt or kill performance.

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