Thursday, February 21, 2008

Editing the Windows Registry II: What is the Windows Registry and why do you need it?

The registry is a centralised hierarchical database used by various Windows operating systems to store computer configuration information.

This information is necessary for Windows to run your computer system including all your installed applications and hardware devices. Not only does the windows registry save the path and location of these items, it also retains other details which help the processor to locate applications and hardware devices quickly and efficiently thereby reduce decreasing processing time.

Records are kept of each and every item present. Windows registry entries include details on:

* User profiles, settings, options and preferences
* Applications installed on the computer
* Property settings for folders and applications
* Hardware devices installed on the system
* Ports being used
* System Policies
* File Associations

Whenever you make any changes in your preferences or settings, installed software or hardware, these changes are stored in the Windows registry.

The third article in this series is Editing the Windows Registry III: When do Registry Programs Occur?

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