Windows Registry: Structure, Functions, and How to Manage It

Types of Key Registry

Here are the main types of Key Registry and their functions:

1. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR)

Stores information about file associations and application settings, including data about file types and associated programs.

2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU)

Contains settings specific to the active user, including the location of the user’s shell folders (such as Documents and Images), as well as the control panel settings and application configuration.

3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM)

Stores system and application settings that apply to all users on the computer, including keys for Windows, drivers, and installed applications.

4. HKEY_USERS (HKU)

Contains a configuration for each user account in the system, where each user has a subkey that stores their preferences and settings.

5. HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC)

Stores information collected when the computer is turned on and is only relevant for the currently active session. This data will be deleted when the computer is turned off.

6. HKEY_PERFORMANCE_DATA

Stores system performance data provided by the Windows kernel, drivers, installed applications, and services. This data is temporary and disappears when the computer is turned off.

Types of Registry Values

Registry Values have various types of data that can be stored in keys. Here are the commonly used types of values:

  • REG_BINARY: Stores raw binary data. Used for hardware and driver settings.
  • REG_DWORD: A 32-bit integer value, often used to define parameters for strings, settings, drivers, and configuration options.
  • REG_QWORD: 64-bit integer value, similar to REG_DWORD but with greater capacity.
  • REG_SZ: Fixed string, storing plain text.
  • REG_EXPAND: String values of extensible length, are also used to store environment variables.
  • REG_MULTI_SZ: A double-string array that can contain a list of values, usually separated by a comma or space.
  • REG_RESOURCE_LIST: A list of resources in a nested array; this is used by the device driver.
  • REG_RESOURCE_REQUIREMENTS_LIST: A list of the array of hardware resources used by the device driver.
  • REG_FULL_RESOURCE_DESCRIPTOR: A nested array used to store a list of resources for physical hardware.
  • REG_LINK: Symbolic link to other Registry keys. They specify the root key and the target key.
  • REG_NONE: Data that doesn’t have a specific type.

Important Locations in the Windows Registry

Control Panel Settings

The settings associated with the Control Panel can be found in the following locations:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Control Panel

Here, there are Registry values related to input, accessibility, and desktop view settings for active users. It includes a variety of preferences that affect the experience of using Windows.

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Installed App Configuration

Information about installed apps can be accessed through two main locations:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software

Saves settings and configurations for apps installed on active user accounts. This includes specific preferences for specific applications.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software

Stores information about all the apps installed on the system, including settings that apply to all users. This is an important location for administrators to manage applications across the system.

Windows Settings

Windows-related settings can be found in the following locations:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion

Saves specific settings for the version of Windows used by the current user. It includes system and application configurations that affect the user experience.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion

Saves global settings for versions of Windows that apply to all users. It includes important information about system and hardware configurations.

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