On the Internet there are many instructions for setting up the Windows family of OS. Often, they describe actions for which you need to edit the system registry. However, the topic of how to launch it is not always disclosed. This article is aimed at inexperienced users, it says about how to open the registry editor.
Registry Editor
Roughly speaking, the registry can be called a settings repository. It is organized in the form of a database and contains such information as information about computer users, data on PC hardware, and software settings. In addition, it stores the full configuration of the OS. The structure of the registry is multi-level. Often they resort to editing the settings repository when it is necessary to enable or disable Windows features that are hidden from the user.
The Windows 7 registry editor is divided into two fields. Sections are displayed on the left. Their appearance resembles a tree and is similar to the location of directories on the HDD in older versions of Explorer.
The operating system automatically creates full registry backups. The frequency of this process is 10 days. The folder where the copies are stored can be found by following the path "OS Directory \ System32 \ config \ RegBack". You do not have to use recovery points created by Windows. Registry Editor offers the ability to create a backup in manual mode.
Task Manager
The way to run the utility using the task manager is one of the simplest and most popular. Its main advantage is the ability to open the editor even when the built-in Explorer program crashes, which, in turn, makes it impossible to display the desktop and the toolbar. How to start the registry editor using the task manager?
- Press SHIFT + CTRL + ESCAPE on your keyboard. The Task Manager tool will open on the screen.
- In the top menu, click on the inscription "File", and in the expanded list, select "New task".
- A standard dialog opens called Run. Copy the word regedit into its input line and press enter.
- Agree to give the utility administrator privileges.
Start Menu Search
The instructions below are best for inexperienced PC users. How to open the registry editor using the search bar?
- Expand the Start menu by clicking on the button on the right side of the toolbar.
- In the text box, type regedit. After a couple of seconds, the “Programs” block with a single label will be displayed at the top of the menu.
- A single click on it will open the necessary tool.
Conductor
In any Windows OS there is a file manager "Explorer". How to open the registry editor using it?
- Double-click on the "Computer" icon located in the desktop area.
- At the top of the expanded window is the address bar. Enter c: \ windows \ regedit in it, provided that the operating system has been installed in the c: \ windows directory.
- Press enter.
- The operating system will ask if you want to grant administrator rights to the program you are opening. Answer yes.
It is not necessary to follow the instructions using Explorer. The same actions can be done in almost any other file manager.
be careful
Before you open the registry editor and begin to perform any actions in it, find information about what changes in the OS work after editing specific sections. Usually, in order for the changes to take effect, it is not even necessary to restart the PC.
Inadvertent actions in the registry can affect the stability of Windows or individual programs. Sometimes a configuration change by an unqualified technician leads to a complete inoperability of the OS. Before any data changes in the registry, create a recovery point. This will save you from unnecessary problems in critical situations.