All About Windows Registry And Registry Editing!

Discussion in 'Windows' started by pankaj.sea, Nov 21, 2009.

  1. pankaj.sea

    pankaj.sea New Member

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    What is Registry?



    Registry is a database where Windows stores all types of settings and option related information, in other word, it consists of all information regarding hardware, software, users etc. Now, in place of Win 95 or 98, registry was build up with two hidden files - USER.DAT & SYSTEM.DAT, but now it consists with another file. Named CLASSES.DAT


    The structure of registry



    Registry is a Hierarchical Structure, just like our disk’s directory tree or Windows explorer. Now if we run the registry editor (Start -> Run -> Regedit), then we will find six main braches, called HIVE. Each hives contains some keys, now every key contains some subkey or value. This value stores all the information in the Registry!
    All The Six Hives Of Registry.

    1. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT – It contains all the information related to File Association, OLE and Windows Shorten.
    2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER – It consists of all the information for a particular active user who is in log on condition, e.g, logon names, desktop settings or start up menu etc.
    3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE – This hive contains all hardware and software related information.
    4. HKEY_USERS – It contains all information related to users. For every user, there exists a SID subkey.
    5. HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG – It stores hardware configuration setting related information of current user related to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
    6. HKEY_DYN_DATA – It stores all information about plug-n-play devices.

    Every registry value contains 5 ata types –
    REG_BINARY – Here data gathered in Raw binary format, basically it contains binary data related to Hardware component.
    REG_DWORD – Here data stored in as byte number. It consists boolesn values e.g, ‘0’ or Disable and ‘1’ or Enable.
    REG_MULTI_SZ – Here data stores as multiple string and null character separates each other data.
    REG_SZ – Here data stored as simple readable text in standard string form.

    EDITING THE REGISTRY



    If you open the registry editor you will find a simple ecplorer type window. Which consists of two parts, left side is called Navigation Pane, here we can find all the hives with + and – signs. If we click + sign, the hive will expand and all the key and subkeys will be displayed. And at the right side we will find the values of the key.
    To change any value of any key, just double click on it and if you want to delete it, simple right click on it and select delete.
    Related to this thing, you can view my this previous article

    Some Important Registry Editing!
    1. How to know System BIOS information?
    Find the key
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/HARDWARE/DESCRIPTION/System
    Now, at the right side you’ll see some keys, among them, view specified keys-
    SystemBiosDate, SystemBiosVersion, etc.

    2. How to know full information of your processor?
    Find the key
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/HARDWARE/DESCRIPTION/System/Central/Processor/O
    Under this hive, you will see many keys, check all these keys to know your processor information! But do not modify it! Some times you’ll find values in Hexadecimal system, in that case, simply switch to decimal mode!

    3. How to disable Autorun feature on Windows?
    Find the key
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\NoDriveTypeAutorun
    Please follow the codes
    Code:
    Value				Meaning
    	0x1 or 0x80			Disables AutoRun on drives of unknown type
    	0x4				Disables AutoRun on removable drives
    	0x8				Disables AutoRun on fixed drives
    	0x10				Disables AutoRun on network drives
    	0x20				Disables AutoRun on CD-ROM drives
    	0x40				Disables AutoRun on RAM disks
    	0Xff				Disables AutoRun on all kinds of drives
    
    Default Values
    Code:
    Value				Operating System
    	0x91				Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista
    	0x95				Windows Server 2003
    	0x91				Windows XP
    	0x95				Windows 2000
    
    That’s All About Registry And Registry Editing!
    While editing the registry, don’t forget to make restore point, because wrong editing of registry may crash your Windows!
    Be Careful and Enjoy!
    :D
     
  2. shabbir

    shabbir Administrator Staff Member

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  3. rasd123

    rasd123 Banned

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    Hello, this is great article. I have blog and I thanks to say you thanks. Regards!
     
  4. pankaj.sea

    pankaj.sea New Member

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    You Welcome...
    :happy:
     
  5. rasd123

    rasd123 Banned

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    I like this's, cool!
     
  6. technica

    technica New Member

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    Never found such good article for understanding Registry. Thanks for writing it.
     
  7. shabbir

    shabbir Administrator Staff Member

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  8. rasd123

    rasd123 Banned

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    Right on, write on about whatever you feel best.
     
  9. venkyw

    venkyw New Member

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    How to disable installation in my xp system
     
  10. av3lard

    av3lard New Member

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    well dude, i do admit that this thread helps me a lot understanding Registry. Thank you to this
     
  11. vimal26

    vimal26 New Member

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    All i can say that is AWESOME man :) just superb i also vote for article of month as i know registry editor is not easy if you mess with this then you should have some knowledge about it :)
     

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