Hives
Hkey_classes_roothkey_current_userhkey_current_confighkey_usershkey_local_machine
hives
The registry is spread along different files but if I'm not mistaken the majority of it is stored in so called SAM.
Files called "hives".
Files called "hives".
Five files stored in the C:\Windows\System32\config folder; these files are called hives and they are named the SAM (Security Accounts Manager), Security, Software, System, and Default hives.
In Windows 95, backup registry files are stored in the "C:\Windows" directory and include "SYSTEM.DAT" and "USER.DAT." These files contain the system and user-specific settings, respectively. Additionally, backup copies of these registry files can be found as "SYSTEM.DAT~" and "USER.DAT~" in the same folder, created during system shutdown or when changes are made to the registry.
Windows registry files are primarily located in the system directory, specifically in the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder. Key files include SYSTEM, SOFTWARE, SAM, SECURITY, and DEFAULT. Additionally, user-specific registry settings are stored in files located in the user profile directory, typically found at C:\Users\<Username>\NTUSER.DAT.
A security descriptor can be stored as part of an object's metadata in an operating system, such as in the file system for files and folders or in the registry for registry keys. It contains information about the security attributes of the object, such as the owner, permissions, and auditing settings.
In Windows 95, 98, and Me, the Registry is contained in two hidden files in your Windows directory, called USER.DAT and SYSTEM.DAT.
The windows XP registry consists of several files, loaded together they constitute the "registry"/ These files are Software, System, SAM, Security, Default, and UserDiff. They are located in Windows\System32\Config and are usually hidden or considered protected system files. One other registry file is called NTuser.dat and is located in the users Documents and Settings folder.
1 file called .reg