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Snippet from Wikipedia: Windows Registry

The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores low-level settings for the Microsoft Windows operating system and for applications that opt to use the registry. The kernel, device drivers, services, Security Accounts Manager, and user interfaces can all use the registry. The registry also allows access to counters for profiling system performance.

In other words, the registry or Windows Registry contains information, settings, options, and other values for programs and hardware installed on all versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems. For example, when a program is installed, a new subkey containing settings such as a program's location, its version, and how to start the program, are all added to the Windows Registry.

When introduced with Windows 3.1, the Windows Registry primarily stored configuration information for COM-based components. Windows 95 and Windows NT extended its use to rationalize and centralize the information in the profusion of INI files, which held the configurations for individual programs, and were stored at various locations. It is not a requirement for Windows applications to use the Windows Registry. For example, .NET Framework applications use XML files for configuration, while portable applications usually keep their configuration files with their executables.

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The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and options for the Microsoft Windows operating system. It contains information, settings, and options for both the operating system and installed applications. The registry is a critical component of the Windows operating system, ensuring proper system operation and user customization.

1. Structure

The Windows Registry is structured as a hierarchy of keys and values. The top-level keys are known as “hives,” and each hive contains a series of subkeys and values.

1. Major Hives

1. ** HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR)**: Stores information about registered applications, including file associations and COM objects. 2. ** HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU)**: Contains settings and preferences specific to the currently logged-in user. 3. ** HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM)**: Contains settings that apply to all users on the computer and system-wide configuration settings. 4. ** HKEY_USERS (HKU)**: Stores user-specific settings for all users on the system. 5. ** HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC)**: Contains information about the current hardware profile.

1. Keys and Values
2. **Keys**: Keys are like folders in the registry that can contain other keys and values.
3. **Values**: Values are the actual data entries within a key. Each value consists of a name, a data type, and data. Common data types include:

    - **String (REG_SZ)**
    - **Binary (REG_BINARY)**
    - **DWORD (32-bit) (REG_DWORD)**
    - **QWORD (64-bit) (REG_QWORD)**
    - **Multi-String (REG_MULTI_SZ)**
    - **Expandable String (REG_EXPAND_SZ)**

1. Usage

The registry is used by the Windows operating system and applications to store and retrieve configuration settings. For example, when you change system settings via the Control Panel, those changes are often stored in the registry. Applications also use the registry to store settings such as user preferences and installation information.

1. Accessing the Registry

The registry can be accessed and edited using the Registry Editor (regedit.exe). You can open the Registry Editor by typing `regedit` in the Run dialog (Win + R).

1. Example

To navigate to a specific registry key using the Registry Editor: 1. Press `Win + R` to open the Run dialog. 2. Type `regedit` and press `Enter`. 3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to a key, for example:

  ```
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
  ```

1. PowerShell Example

You can also access the registry using PowerShell commands. For example, to read a value from the registry:

```powershell Get-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion' -Name 'ProgramFilesDir' ```

This command retrieves the value of `ProgramFilesDir` from the specified path.

1. Importance

The Windows Registry is essential for the proper functioning of the Windows operating system. It allows for centralized management of system and application settings, enabling configuration management and system customization. Misconfigurations or corruption of the registry can lead to system instability or failure, so caution should be exercised when making changes to the registry.