21. How to use Registry Editor in Windows 11
Registry Editor is a powerful tool that allows users to access and change hidden Windows settings. However, it is important to note that this tool should be used with caution as undue changes can cause serious system problems. In this chapter, you will learn how to use Registry Editor in Windows 11 safely and effectively.
1. Opening the Registry Editor
To open Registry Editor, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type "regedit" in the text box and press Enter or click OK. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
2. Navigating the Registry Editor
Once opened, the Registry Editor presents a two-part interface: the left pane shows a tree structure of all registry keys, while the right pane shows the values associated with the key selected in the left pane. Registry keys are organized into five main sections, called Hives.
The five Hives are:
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT: contains information about file types and associations.
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER: Contains settings for the currently logged in user.
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE: contains settings for the entire system and all users.
- HKEY_USERS: contains settings for all users.
- HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG: contains information about the hardware currently in use.
3. Creating a registry backup
Before making any changes to the registry, it is highly recommended to create a backup. To do this, select "File" from the top menu and click "Export". Choose a location to save the backup, enter a name for the file and click "Save".
4. Modifying the Registry
To modify a registry value, navigate to the key that contains the value you want to change. Right-click the value and choose "Modify". Change the value in the dialog box that appears and click "OK."
5. Adding and deleting keys and values
To add a new key, right-click the parent key and choose "New" > "Key". Type a name for the new key and press Enter. To add a new value, select the desired key, right-click in the right pane and choose "New". Select the type of value you want to create (String, Binary value, DWORD (32-bit), etc.) and enter a name for the value.
To delete a key or value, simply right-click on it and choose "Delete". Remember, once a key or value is deleted, it cannot be recovered, so be sure you really want to delete it before doing so.
6. Restoring a registry backup
If you make a mistake or your system starts acting strange after making registry changes, you can restore the backup you created. To do this, open the Registry Editor, select "File" > "Import", navigate to the location of the backup file, select it and click "Open".
In summary, Registry Editor is a powerful tool that, when used correctly, can allow you to customize Windows 11 in ways that are not possible through the standard user interface. However, it is important to use it with caution and always create a backup before making any changes.
