The Registry contains configuration information for Windows.
Newly installed hardware components are updated and reflected in the
Registry.
Consists of two major components: Keys and Values
The Registry Editor gives all the registry information to view and make
changes to your system.
Changes in the Registry happen instantly, there is no undo.
Tampering with the Registry can change valuable system settings,
always backup before messing with it.
Backing up the registry regularly can help fix many problems if
information in the Registry becomes corrupt.
Backing up the registry also allows for a restoration if you screw
something up.
On Windows 98 and ME, Windows automatically backed up the registry
each time the computer restarted.
Select Start > Run.
Type scanreg and press enter.
The Registry Checker will scan the Registry for problems and will
attempt to correct basic problems if it finds any.
After scanning the Registry, it will report results and ask if you want to
back it up or back it up again if it has been backed up previously.
Click Yes.
A message will appear when the backup is complete.
Select Start > Run.
Type regedit
Click OK
File > Export Registry File
Select Start > Run
Type scanreg /restore
Click OK to run the Registry checker in Restore mode.
Click OK when Windows tells you it needs to restart.
The Registry checker will display a list of backup points you can
restore from.
Select the most recent backup from when your computer was
working properly.
Enter Regedit. (Start > Run > Regedit)
Find
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN
This key is the startup folder, from here you can unload DDL
(Dynamic Link Library) files.
These startup files are loaded when Windows boots, after loading,
Windows keeps them running in the background, still using system
resources.
Having less programs startup when Windows boots speeds up both the
computer startup and running in general.
You can set Windows to unload DLL files when you close a program by
doing this:
Find
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENT-VERSION=EXPLORER
Right click Explorer and select New, click Key.
Name this new key AlwaysUnloadll.
Double click default, enter a value of 1.
This forces Windows to unload DLL files from memory when
closed.
If you want to change the system registration information (Info displayed
after right clicking My Computer and going to Properties), you must use the
registry.
Open Regedit (Start > Run > Regedit).
Find this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION
Double click the value labeled RegisteredOrganization.
Enter the name of your company and click OK.
The same goes for the value RegisteredOwner.