At first glance, the Windows registry looks like a complex and clumsy beast, but with a little knowledge, the PC owner will be able to decipher and understand what is happening in this important system file.
The Windows registry uses a hierarchical structure that is somewhat similar to what a user of Windows Explorer might be familiar with. Users can access the Windows Registry using a program called Regedit, which is an integral part of the Windows operating system.
The structure of the registry is divided into five main parts, which are called urticaria by computer enthusiasts everywhere. These hives are not bees and honey, but hardware and software information, as well as user preferences, file associations, and more. The five hive components that make up the Windows registry are:
* HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT - This configuration file contains file associations, shortcut data and OLE information.
* HKEY_CURRENT_USER - This hive provides information about the user currently logged in to the computer, including user preferences, settings, and more.
* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - This hive contains information specific to the computer itself, including hardware and software settings. This hive also contains detailed information about all the hardware and software on your system.
* HKEY_USERS - This hive is the place to store information about all users logged into the PC. This information includes user preferences, settings, and other important information. Each user has their own SID subkey, located directly below the main user hive.
* HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG - This hive contains information related to the current login configuration, including hardware and software settings.
By using these hive, PC owners can drill down into the file structure to find specific registry entries related to their respective hardware and software. Manually editing the registry is not advisable, as inadvertent deletion or modification of a single registry key can impair the performance of software programs, critical hardware or even the entire system. It is recommended that users always export the registry to a backup location and then make the slightest changes to one or more registry keys.
Fortunately, Registry Mechanic provides an easy way to make backup copies. Users simply click on the "File" menu and select "Export". They can then export a specific key or the entire registry to a secure location for backup. This backup copy allows the user to restore the previous registry when the change caused the problem.
Another way users can avoid problems is to periodically scan and clean up their registry files. Many Windows registry files contain redundant registry entries left over from uninstalled programs, missing registry entries created by unsuccessful software installation and uninstallation, and corrupted registry entries created by accidental shutdown, computer viruses, and other issues. Scanning the registry regularly to find problems and remove unwanted entries can help improve system performance and prevent major problems.
Orignal From: Windows Registry 101 - Understanding the Registry Structure
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