.: What Is The Windows Registry?
The Windows registry is a database which stores settings and options for the operating system for Microsoft Windows 32-bit versions, 64-bit versions and Windows Mobile.
It contains information and settings for all the hardware, software, users, and preferences of the PC. Whenever a user makes changes to "Control Panel" settings, or file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in the registry.
The registry is actually a big file where a lot of setting can be stored.
This file has been around quite a while and has had different names.
The first windows version that used the windows registry to store settings was windows 3.11 and the registry in that version of windows was called Reg.dat.
In Windows 95 & 98 the registry files are named User.dat and System.dat and are stored in the Windows directory.
Windows ME called the registry files, Classes.dat, User.dat, and System.dat and stored them in the Windows directory.
Finally the newest versions of windows like, Windows NT, 2000, 2003, & XP stores the registry files like this,
The Registry files are stored in %SystemRoot%System32Config:
Sam
Security
Software
System
Default
Userdiff
NTUSER.dat
The NTUSER.dat file is stored in the profile folder.
The Windows Registry was introduced to tidy up the old way of storing text entries in INI files. These entries had previously been used to store configuration settings for Windows programs.
The ini files where stored in a lot of different directories and many programs used their own ini file for some or all of their settings. This way of using ini files all over the system, made them difficult to keep track of and handle in an easy and logical way.
Whats Good with the Registry
Changing from having one or more INI Files per program to one centralised registry has some obvious and some not so obvious benefits:
The registry keeps machine configuration separate from user configuration. When a user logs into a Windows NT/XP/2003 computer, their registry settings are merged with the system wide settings. This allows programs to more easily keep per-user configuration, as they can just work with the 'current user' key, whereas in the past they tended to just keep system-wide per-program settings. There are always some system wide settings that are common for all users though.
Group Policy allows administrators on a Windows-based computer network to centrally manage program and policy settings. This is not used in a home environment, only in corporations with a dedicated logon server.
Because the registry is accessed through a special API it is available to scripts and remote management using WMI. Each script does not have to be customised for every application's unique configuration file layouts and restrictions.
The registry can be accessed as one item over a network connection for remote management/support, including from scripts, using the standard API.
It can be backed up more easily, in that it is just a small number of files in specific locations.
Bad things with the Registry
Not all that shines is gold. The Registry introduces some problems as well:
It is a single point of failure - damage to the Registry can render a Windows system unbootable, in extreme cases to a point that can not be fixed, and requires a full reinstall of Windows. This is why it is so important to use registry scan and repair utilities, while the registry still can be repaired.
Any program which wants to manipulate the registry must use special Windows API functions whereas a configuration file can be manipulated using normal text file-processing techniques.
Configuration files can contain comments to help the user by explaining what values are for and how they can be changed, the registry cannot. And the registry use something called guids in a large scale. Long strange unique numbers that is completely meaningless to humans. Making handling much harder.
It is more difficult to backup - it cannot be done 'live' because it is always in use, and thus requires special software such as ntbackup.
Restoring parts of the registry is hard because you cannot easily extract data from backed up registry files
Any application that doesn't uninstall properly, or doesn't have an uninstaller, can leave entries in the registry, which can lead over time to increased file size and decreased performance. And once again, heres the major reason why you must use a registry scan/clean and repair software.
The registry will be redone once more with the release of the new Vista Operating System from Microsoft.
Article keywords: windows registry, windows registry repair, windows registry scan, repair registry, fix registry, scan
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Visit Windows Registry Repair for more information.The Windows Registry Introduction was made by Kenth Nasstrom to answer questions from customers about Windows
.: New Computers Articles
1). Is Spyware Slowing Your Computer Down To A Crawl?
Everyday more and more computers are becoming infected with Spyware and Adware (advertising tracking).
2). Writers and Ergonomics
This article talks about the need to pay attention to your body if you sit in a chair at a computer for long hours and talks about some of the ergonomic solutions to this problem
3). Anti Adware and Spyware Programs
Adware is any software application software which makes banners appear the whole time it is in function. Also, the adware program can install components that will transmit information about the user and its behavior and this work on his PC.
4). Why HP Toner Cartridges Are The Best
Many factors determine a quality toner cartridge. Find out why HP toner cartridges always seem to come out on top.
5). Microsoft Dynamics GP Customization Tools Evolution, Overview For Consultant
This small article is targeted to Microsoft Dynamics GP audience. Recent Microsoft marketing move from Microsoft Business Solutions to Dynamics means Project Green wave 1 progress.
6). Data Recovery Software: At Your Rescue
Computers are an integral part of our lives. They are used at every juncture, and of course play a major role in businesses. In fact, the smooth working of small, medium, big and very big enterprises depend heavily on the computer. But they arent perfect, and it would be unfair to consider them as perfect.
7). Consumer Beware... Identity Theft Tools & Techniques
Identity theft is very quickly becoming the crime of choice for thousands of criminals worldwide. With online Internet access to just about any kind of database you want becoming easier and easier to acquire, the crime of Identity Theft is becoming so easy, a child could do it, if they are even mildly adept at using a computer.
.: Top Computers Articles
1). Httpwww.google.com, httpgroups.yahoo.com, Invalid URL, Why?
So you have heard of Google or Yahoo, fired up the trusty Internet Explorer and typed one of the following phrase's in the search bar, httpwww.google.com, httpgroups.yahoo.com, httpyahoo.com, or perhaps wwwgmail.com, hit search, "--" Eh, Nothing, WHY?
You are not alone, over 3,000,000 people a year type in httpwww.google.com, over 2,000,000 type in httpgroups.
2). Understanding Your PC's CPU Clock Speed And Front Side Bus
Copyright 2006 Otis Cooper
Have a computer in your home that is put to use often? Why not take the time to fully understand the terms, the components,and software used to make it work. To understand your PC is not hard and you'll be rewarded greatly.
How you ask? By upgrading your own system as well as repairing those of your friends while earning extra cash in the process.
3). Holiday Myspace Backgrounds For Your Myspace Profile
Myspace is now one of the top five most-visited websites in the world. Indeed, it has taken the Internet world by storm. At last count, they had more than 30 million users from around the globe. Amazing, isn't it? This article is for regular myspace users.
A lot of changes can be made in your myspace profile to make it look more colorful, cheerful and appealing.
4). Step By Step: Add Image Validation To Your Website Form
Copyright 2006 David Picella
If you are a do-it-yourself programmer and you want to know how to add image validation to a form on your web site then this is the article for you. While there are many ways to do this, if you follow these steps, you will learn the easiest way to get the job done. Once you have mastered the example here, you will have all the concepts and experience you need to incorporate the final product into your form on your website.
5). The danger behind peer-to-peer file sharing
File sharing is very common nowadays. You can get a P2P (peer-to-peer) program for free, and soon start sharing stuff like music, videos and programs. We use these applications freely and most of us dont know the risks involved when using them.
Questionable reliability of files Once we get our hands on a P2P program, we download everything we want like crazy.
6). RAM and Latency... what you need to know
RAM latency is one of the most overlooked methods of optimizing your computer. Find out exactly how you can tweak your memory timings in order to make your system run quicker.
7). Verizon DSL - It's Cheaper Than You Think
Verizon DSL is a digital subscriber link (DSL) internet service provided by Verizon communications. Internet can be accessed in many ways like cable, ISDN, dial-up, optical fiber, power line internet, satellite, wi-fi, DSL etc. The advantage of DSL is that the voice telephone and fax can be used simultaneously with the internet connection. DSL technology takes advantage of the fact that on the telephone line, voice occupies a very small bandwidth and a large bandwidth is unused.