In Windows, unlike other systems (for example, Linux), the settings of the system and many applications are protected not decentralized, each in its own configuration file, but in a single centralized ordered form. Accordingly, sometimes there is a need to correct them. Of course, the last statement applies only to advanced users, service engineers and system administrators. For ordinary PC users who do not have knowledge about the device line of systems based on the best development of Microsoft Windows (and do not want to get this knowledge), it is better not to edit the registry - this can lead to fatal consequences (data loss and even hardware damage).
So, the regedit program, the registry editor by default "lies" in the WINDOWS directory and is launched through a shortcut or from the command line (you just need to type regedit). After starting, we see the information that the Windows xp registry editor takes from a pair of small system files ntuser.dat, as well as ntuser.dat.log in the C: \ Documents and Settings \ Username directory (responsible for creating the HKEY_CURRENT_USER section when the user logs on to the system first). In addition, the registry bushes are stored in the C: \ Windows \ SYSTEM32CONFIG directory in the SECURTY files (HKLMSecurity section), SAM (HKLMSAM), Software (HKLMSoftware), System (HKLMSystem and HCC), Defaullt (HKEY_USERS.Default). This path also contains files with the log extension for any type of registry hive where significant changes are logged. There are also copies of registry bushes with the sav extension, which are nuggets at the time the text phase of the system installation was completed.
All current versions of the above files are presented in a hierarchical structured form when the registry editor is launched. Let's list some of its functions besides the obvious ones (changing various types of registry keys). You can export the selected section or branch to files of various types. This is the reg format, which provides for the automated addition of a registry hive file to another copy of the Windows system or a registry hive file that allows you to make archive copies of the entire system manually. It also provides the possibility of converting to the format of 9x systems (MS Windows 95, 95OSR2, as well as 98, 98SE, Me), including OS based on NT cores. In addition, you can write a branch of the system registry to an ordinary text file. A convenient feature for restoring other Windows systems is the ability to load registry branches from another installation and edit them on a working system. But it should be remembered that calling such a branch is required not SYSTEM or SOFTWARE, but arbitrarily. After making the changes, you need to unload this branch in a regular way (through the file> unload the registry hive). Another feature that deserves attention is loading the registry hive from another system (file menu> connect network registry). At the same time, both PCs (the one from which the download is made and the requesting one) must be part of the network, that is, have a network name and workgroup, as well as working netbios protocols. It should also be noted that there must be an appropriate level of rights.
We examined some regedit functions, which are the editor of the Windows registry, they are enough for the vast majority of users. But Windows has been around for almost two decades - a pretty significant period. And progress does not stand still. Third-party developers wrote several programs - alternative registry editors, with increased comfort and additional features for those who often have to use the registry editor for work. There are dozens of such programs. But in this article we will consider only the most remarkable of them.
Registry Workshop - has a convenient interface, can do backup and scheduled recovery.
Witap Registry Explorer - can work with removable storage media
Registrar Registry Manager - perhaps the best program to date is an alternative registry editor. Includes convenient key search. Gives search results in one window. With the help of the bookmarking system, you can return to any registry branch without exception very quickly. Naturally, there is a system of introduced cancellation changes (multi-level), a backup function . You can also edit damaged registry bushes to restore their health. It should also be noted built-in registry monitoring.