The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and options on Microsoft Windows operating systems.It contains information and settings for all of the PC's hardware, software, users, and preferences. Any changes made to the contro panel settings, system policies, file associations and software are reflected and stored in the registry.

Computer Anthem will be mostly concentrating on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 Registry tweaks and tricks. Before moving any further Computer Anthem wants our users to know some facts about registry,

• REGISTRY is very Powerful tool yet very dangerous if neglected while using it.
• REGISTRY doesn't have a SAVE button so when modifying it changes then and there.
• REGISTRY doesn't have a UNDO button, once done it cannot be reverted back (saying this DWORD value can be changed back to the original value).

Before you start playing with registry make sure you write down the the current state of any key or value you plan to edit before you make any changes and also make sure you create a restore point if something goes wrong you can always revert back to previous state of your working environment.

 Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Use the information provided here at your own risk, Computer Anthem will not be liable for any damage caused due to this Registry changes.

HOW TO ACCESS REGISTRY IN XP

• Go to start menu and then to Run.
• Type regedit and hit enter.

HOW TO ACCESS REGISTRY IN VISTA

• Click on the start menu . Type "run" and hit the enter key.
• Type "regedit" in the pop-up box. Click "OK."

HOW TO ACCESS REGISTRY IN WINDOWS 7

• Click on the start menu and then type regedit.
• The User Account Control asks you to authorize access by clicking Continue. The Registry Editor appears with an expanded menu of the five registry key sections.
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The Registry consists of five major trees. These trees comprise all aspects of the operating system:

The Registry has five trees, but this can be deceiving. Windows uses pointersfor several keys. For instance, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT is nothing but a pointer to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\CLASSES subkey. Likewise, HKEY_CURRENT_USER is a pointer to a subkey within HKEY_USERS. Thus, of the fivetrees, only three (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG, andHKEY_USERS) actually represent information stored on disk.