So what is this 'registry' thing that we keep hearing so much about anyhow?? Essentially, the Windows registry is a database that stores your system information and settings for the hardware, software, and general preferences used on your Windows machine.
In a perfect world, keeping your computer's registry clean wouldn't be much of an issue because Windows' built-in registry tools do work in the background so that your system's integrity is protected. However, because nothing is perfect and the registry is so large and complicated, it becomes more distorted every time changes are made that can cause strange behaviors, bog down or even bring your system to a screeching halt.
FAQ'S
Q: " Do I really need to fix registry problems? " A: Absolutely. If you don't fix registry problems when they arise, or better yet try and prevent them, you may soon find yourself faced with sudden crashes, system stalls, or a severe degradation in operating speed. Working to fix registry issues and prevent system crashes should be a top priority. By doing so you'll find system performance enhanced greatly.
Q: " How do I know if my PC has registry problems? "
A: Keeping a PC clean isn't easy with all of the different types of hardware, drivers, and media available, so it's hard to say if your PC has registry issues without first analyzing your system's registry. Many find this an arduous and confusing task, which is why many people choose to ignore it.
Q: "How can I analyze my system's registry?"
A: Your registry can be manually edited through windows "regedit" or you can use software such as a registry cleaner. Some reasons why you may find that you need to use a regcleaner include: * you frequently install or uninstall programs * you delete software that was never really fully "uninstalled" * you have embedded Spyware or third party programs that revive themselves with each boot * you have gone through a hardware install/uninstall * you have unused but undeleted drivers on your system
Whenever you uninstall software, chances are good that remnants of the software are still on your hard drive or registry.
Before going into the Registry and changing or deleting anything, you should ALWAYS backup the registry.
Backing up the Windows ME registry: Microsoft Windows ME includes the scanreg utility. This utility automatically makes backups of the registry each time the computer boots. Restoring the Windows ME registry To restore an earlier version of the registry a user can click Start, Run, and type scanreg /restore to restore the registry. If you are unable to get into Windows this can also be done through Safe Mode. Backing up the Windows 2000 registry The Microsoft Windows 2000 registry can be backed up easily from the backup utility by following the below steps. 1. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, and click backup. 2. Within backup, click the backup tab. 3. Within the backup tab, check "System State", this will create a backup of boot files, COM+ Class Registry Database, and the system registry. Restoring the Windows 2000 registry If you have created backups using the Microsoft backup utility from the backup utility you can also restore the registry through this utility.
Backing up the Windows XP registry Microsoft Windows XP includes a new feature known as system restore. This great new feature enables a user to backup and restore their important system files from an earlier day. By default this feature automatically creates a backup of the system each day. If you wish to create a restore point of your system follow the below steps. 1. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore 2. Select the option to Create a restore point 3. Click next and follow the remainder steps. Restoring the Windows XP registry To restore the system back to an earlier point follow the below steps. 1. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore 2. Select the Restore my computer to an earlier time option and click next 3. Select the day and the restore point you wish to restore and click next.
Below are the file types that you'll see while you are in the registry. - Open or selected folder just as you would see in Windows Explorer - Closed folder just as you would see in Windows Explorer - String Value allows you to place certain values to certain aspects of a program such as a version number. - Binary Value allows you to set attributes to a particular application, values are in binary. - Dword Similar to the binary value allowing you to set attributes; however, are done in binary and hex.
Registry Key Descriptions
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT - Points to branch of Hkey_Local_Machine that describes certain software settings. This key displays the same data as it did in Windows 3.1 - essential information about OLE and association mappings to support drag-and-drop operations, Windows 95 shortcuts (which are, in fact, OLE links), and core aspects of the Windows 95 user interface.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER - This key points to a branch of Hkey_Users for the user who is currently logged on.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - Contains computer-specific information about the type of hardware installed, software settings, and other information. This information is used for all users who log on to this computer.
HKEY_USERS - Contains information about all the users who log on to the computer, including both generic and user-specific information. The generic settings are available to all users who log on to the computer. The information is made up of default settings for applications, desktop configurations, and so on. This key contains sub keys for each user that logs on to this computer.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG - Points to a branch of Hkey_Local_Machine\Config that contains information about the current configuration of hardware attached to the computer.
HKEY_DYN_DATA - Points to a branch of Hkey_Local_Machine that contains the dynamic status information for various devices as part of the Plug and Play information. This information may change as devices are added to or removed from the computer. The information for each device includes the related hardware key and the device's current status, including problems.
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