Tips & Tweaks

Regedit Guide
Registry Tips

Here are some tips that will make your life easier on the computer. Most of them use the registry (to modify it you have use Regedit or other registry utility). If you how to use Reedit then you can skip 'Regedit Guide.'
(Warning: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. I cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk. And I will not be held responsible for any damages.)

Regedit Guide:
Regedit means Registry editor (Reg - edit). You start regedit by (path to start regedit: Start|Run[see fig.1]).

Fig. 1.

When the run dialog box is open, type "Regedit" and press "OK" [see fig.2].

Fig. 2.

This will start regedit. (see fig.3).

Fig. 3.

The Registry is a database used to store settings and options for Microsoft Windows 32 bit version operating systems (which includes 95, 98, ME and NT/2000); and it contains information and settings for all the hardware, software, users, and preferences of the PC.

The structure of registry is hierarchal and in regedit - and other similar registry utilities - you will find it similar to the directory structure of Windows Explorer.
There are six main branches (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, HKEY_CURRENT_USER, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, HKEY_USERS, HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG, HKEY_DYN_DATA) which are called Hives. Hives contain keys and keys can contain values as well as keys. Values holds the information for the registry. There are three types of values; String, Binary, and DWord (see fig.4).

Fig. 4.

Registry Tips:
Registry (Backup, Restore, Fix etc):
Here's a nice utility for most of your registry problems. To use it just exit windows to dos prompt and type "SCANREG/?" this will show you how to use it, however. Here are the options for your convenience.
Usage:
SCANREG/<options>

Options	Description
?	Displays usage.
BACKUP	Backups the registry and related system configuration files.
COMMENT = "Your comment here"	Adds the specified comment to the backup.
RESTORE	Gives you 5 choices of most recent backups. (Note: Windows backup registry every time you boot.)
FIX	Repairs the registry.

Example:
SCANREG/FIX [This will repair the registry]

(Tip: Before modifying the registry it's a safe practice to backup your registry first. Therefore, if you mess up something during the modification, you can always go back to your old settings.)