Registry is a database with in your system where all the information related to your computer hardware, software, and users. The registry is not a single file; it is a database and can be edited if you are admin of the system. RegEdit is a command used to open the registry editor for windows 9x and advance versions. The windows registry works on the hierarchical structure and has the following six branches.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT,
HKEY_CURRENT_USER,
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE,
HKEY_USERS,
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG,
HKEY_DYN_DATA

Warning: changing keys in registry can cause serious problems and you may have to reinstall your windows. This article is written to provide you information about registry edition and I will not be responsible for any problem or disorder you face after editing the registry.

How TO Take the Backup of Registry

Anyways first take the backup of your windows registry, for backup first run the “scanreg” to backup your windows registry incase anything goes wrong then you can restore your operating system to its pervious location. In case of any problem simply type this command at MS DOS prompt “scanreg /restore”, your system will restore to previous settings.

You can also import or export registry setting through text files. The header of the text file represents the registry version and the registry keys are closed with in brackets. The extension of this file is “.reg”, following is an example of this file

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSet -> ControlCPUIdle]

“Idle”=dword:00000001

Add Open With to all files

The option of “Open With…” at right click menu is a great option if you are using several programs and wants to open the same file with in three different text editors. For this you have to change the .txt key.

• Run RegEdit command
• Then go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\Shell
• Add a new Key named “OpenWith” by right clicking the “Shell” Key and selecting new set the default value to “Op&en With…”
• After that add a new key with the name of “Command” by right click of the mouse “Open With” key and select the new.
• And after that write this command in the same way “c:\windows\rundll32.exe,OpenAs_RunDll%1”

Customize the System Tray

Customization of system tray is an easy task; you can add your name or any thing with in the limit of eight characters. Your name will be displayed next to the AM or PM time in the system tray. But it will corrupt the trial license of some software’s.

• Open RegEdit
• Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\International
• Type these values, “s1159″ and “s2359″
• Click your right mouse button on the value and modify it and type your name or anything else up to 8 characters.

If you type two different names during the modification, then your system tray will display these two values in the timing of AM and PM.

Protection on system files

The files in windows folder in C:\ drive are very much important, incase these files are deleted or removed from the folder; it will effect the performance of operating system and may be you have to reinstall the operating system. To protect these files simply follows the following steps

1. Open RegEdit
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\ Control\ SessionManager
3. Create the a Dword value and name it “ProtectionMode “
4. Set the Value to1

Related Articles

• Cleaning up and Defragmenting the Windows Registry!
• Some Tweaks Of Windows Registry