The Registry is a database used to store settings and options for the 32 bit versions of Microsoft Windows including Windows 95, 98, ME and NT/2000. It contains information and settings for all the hardware, software, users, and preferences of the PC. Whenever a user makes changes to a Control Panel settings, or File Associations, System Policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in the Registry.
They are located in the registry
Registry
The Registry is the central storehouse for all settings for the Windows operating systems. This includes hardware configuration, file associations, and control panel settings. Many other programs will also store settings in the registry. The registry is made up of "Keys". Each key is like the branch of a tree. Each key has one parent key, and zero or more child keys. Each key can contain zero or more "Values", each of which contains a single piece of data.
Control Panel applet Control Applets are small applications located in the control panel that provide a simple interface for modifying the behavior of system hardware,software, and parameter settings.
Using the regedit utility tool.Programmatically.Import a registry key.Use a different registry editor, eg a registry cleaner.Install a program.Warning:If you do not know much about computers or the registry settings, it is recommended that you do not change the settings as you could cause your computer to crash and/or be unable to start up. Even seemingly minor changes can lead to programs not working correctly.1. You can go to "run" & then write "regedit" there. The Registry Editor program will open to the root key. Using the interface, you can change your registry settings there.2. Use code to examine, insert, delete or change registry keys3. Have a registry file, and import it. Your computer may be set-up to automatically import keys upon clicking on such a file.4. There are many Registry Cleaner programs out there which can change registry settings. Warning, many are fake and are in fact malware/scareware designed to get you to buy programs or give out your information.5. Installing a program generally changes some registry settings automatically. This depends on the program.
A registry file, or most would called it "Windows Registry" is a database that stores hardware, software settings and options of Microsoft Windows Operating System.
In a Windows-based computer, the system registry is a place designed for storing all of the settings within Windows and the applications. It is a collection of very important files that Windows needs to even boot. They store where everything is, all the settings, etc. Not all programs are compliant with the registry and may store their settings in private files. The registry was designed for getting away from all the settings file clutter and for having a common place for all settings for every application you use. Windows 3.1 used INI files, and while most versions of Windows will use them, the preferred place is the registry.
Registry
This is a registry file kept in the registry and not in your documents. It contains personnel settings for each user. Leave this file alone.
By default, a backup of the registry system is in My Documents. This can be changed in the system default settings.
system and registry settings