You may not remember any details, but having once seen what is actually in the Registry you will be psychologically better prepared to do the type of Registry operations that everybody should know – backing up and restoring. Total ignorance about what is actually in the Registry allows the imagination to assign mysterious and fearsome properties to something that is actually just a database. I would go further and say I think it is worthwhile to take a look at the structure of the Registry even if you never intend to change a single comma in it. Using Regedit requires some knowledge of the basic structure of the Registry. The structure of the Registry as presented in Regedit Say “Yes” to User Account Control (Windows Vista/7/8.x/10/11).In the Run line, enter “regedit” (without quotes).Open the Run box with the keyboard combination Windows key + r.With the precautions out of the way, we can get down to learning about Regedit.Ī quick way to access Regedit that applies to Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.x, 10 and 11 is the following: Many of the common recommendations on the Internet are useless or nearly so. Only use Registry edits recommended by known reliable sources.Don’t forget that many Registry edits require that you log off or reboot before they take effect. ![]() Wait to see if everything works the way you want before making any more changes to the Registry. Make only one Registry edit at a time. ![]() It can be as simple as running System Restore or merging a backup REG file. Know how to restore a Registry backup.Keep in mind that Regedit has no Undo function. I also use the export facility of Regedit to make a copy of the Registry key that I am working on. For many, making a System Restore point is the most convenient backup method. The ironclad rule of Registry editing is that you must first back up the Registry.Here are my five rules for safer Registry editing: I have messed things up once or twice but I have always been able to get back to the original system state without trouble because I followed the rules. I have edited the Registry hundreds of times over the years and have developed the steps below for safe editing. This tutorial will flesh out what Microsoft has omitted and give you all the information you need to begin editing the Registry.īut first, I must make the rules of Registry editing clear. If you are bold enough to go to Regedit itself, you will find it has its own Help menu with some instructions, but they are rather sparse. ![]() In Windows Vista/7, Microsoft relaxed a bit and included a few more details in Help but still not enough to let anyone understand how to use Regedit. In fact, in Windows XP it warns, “Although you can use Registry Editor to inspect and modify the registry, doing so is not recommended, as making incorrect changes can damage your system.” Pretty off-putting but the caution is overdone. ![]() It isn’t listed in the All Programs menu and the Help function doesn’t say how to use it. Regedit is one of those Windows programs that Microsoft doesn’t say much about. There are several ways to apply Registry changes but the true tweaker often likes to go to the source and tune up the Registry directly with the Windows Registry editor Regedit. Most of these tweaks are actually edits of the Registry. Many people like to configure Windows their own way and Windows is a system with numerous possible tweaks. This tutorial explains how the Registry Editor works and shows how to tweak the Registry, applicable to Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 and 11.
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