Tutorial 14 Mastering the Windows Registry

1. Tutorial 14Mastering the Windows Registry

2. Objectives • Learn about the role and importance of the Registry • Create a restore point prior to using the Registry • Open and examine the Registry with the Registry Editor • Export Registry settings to a registration file Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

3. Objectives • Examine the structure and organization of the Registry • Trace information on registered file types • View information on Class Identifiers • Examine how to edit, create, and delete a new Registry entry Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

4. Windows Registry Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

5. Understanding the Role of the Windows Registry • Windows stores your computer’s hardware, software, object, file associations, security, network, system performance, and user account settings in a database known as the Registry • Your user profile is stored in the Registry • You should use the tools built into Windows to customize your settings, instead of directly modifying the Registry • Files in the registry are called hives Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

6. Understanding the Role of the Windows Registry Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

7. Understanding the Role of the Windows Registry Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

8. Backing Up the Windows Registry • You can back up the Registry in several ways: • Create a system image • Use System Protection • Export the Registry • Consider creating a restore point before editing the Registry • The Registry changes over time, so perform regular backups Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

9. Opening the Windows Registry • Located at C:\Windows\regedit.exe • Displays Registry tree, keys, and subkeys • Export the Registry by clicking File on the menu bar, and then clicking Export Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

10. Registry Data Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

11. Examining the Structure of the Registry • Consists of five major root keys • Starts with HKEY (Handle Key) • Contains subkeys Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

12. Examining the Structure of the Registry • Each value entry is a Windows Registry setting that contains three parts: • Value name • Value data type • Value data Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

13. Examining the Structure of the Registry Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

14. Examining the Structure of the Registry • It is easiest to find keys by using Find to search the Registry • Click on the Edit menu and then select Find Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

15. Examining the Structure of the Registry • Expandable String Values or variable-length value because it contains a replaceable parameter for an environment variable or another type of variable value, each of which are converted into specific values when a program or service uses this Registry entry Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

16. Examining the Structure of the Registry • The CLSID is a globally unique identifier that identifies a component as a COM class object • Platform-independent approach to creating software components that can interact with each other • Also assigned to system objects Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

17. Examining the Structure of the Registry Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

18. Examining the Structure of the Registry • You can customize your computer, improve performance, increase security, improve network connectivity, enhance hardware and software support, and troubleshoot problems by making changes to the Registry • Be sure to locate the proper keys • Changes can also adversely affect the computer Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

19. Examining the Structure of the Registry • To edit a Registry value, you can: • Double-click the value entry’s name in the Topic Pane • Single-click the value entry’s name in the Topic Pane and, from the Edit menu, select Modify • Right-click the value entry name in the Topic Pane, and then click Modify Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

20. Examining the Structure of the Registry Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14

21. Examining the Structure of the Registry • You can add new keys and choose from six types of values Windows 7 for Power Users Tutorial 14