What is Windows Registry?

Why Do We Have Windows Registry?
For any computer that uses an operating system from Microsoft, Windows registry is the database that can save your computer if it crashes. Microsoft began offering Windows registry with Windows 95. Containing hardware and software information, operational settings, and user preferences, the registry is so vital to Windows that current computers cannot run without it. As your operating systems runs, it is constantly referencing the information stored in Windows registry. This allows you to customize your computer in ways like changing the background, font settings, or color preferences while allowing your computer to store the information for later use.

3 Principal Components of Windows Registry
Windows registry contains three principal components: values, keys, and hives. The structure of the registry is similar to a family tree. When someone searches their genealogical family tree they start with themselves at the bottom of the tree. This is like a value in the registry. A value is the actual information that the registry stores. All the other components are the navigational tools you need to get to the value. Next in the registry come keys and subkeys. To understand a key it is helpful to think of it as a box. Values fit into various key ‘boxes’ that store them. Subkeys are little ‘boxes’ that fit into bigger ones. Like parents in a genealogy, keys are responsible for the values that belong to them. Keys don’t have any information in and of themselves, they simply store it. The grandparents on a family tree are like the hives for Windows registry. Similar to a child with a limited number of grandparents, Windows registry only has five or six hives. Each hive contains a category of data. The different categories include a hive for: the current user, the configuration of the computer, user interface preferences, all users, hardware configuration, and Plug and Play which is only pertinent to Windows 95/98/ME.

What is Windows Registry For?
Now that you have a good idea of what Windows registry is, the next question you will probably ask is what the registry is for. Windows registry stores information in order to make your computer run better. If your computer’s registry becomes corrupted or your computer detects malware has been installed, Windows can repair your computer by reverting to an older copy of the registry. Backing up your registry on a regular basis can help with this.

Windows Registry Maintenance
Both the Microsoft Company and many leading experts recommend using extreme care when dealing with Windows registry. Because it is such an integral part of your computer’s operating system, incorrectly editing it can damage your computer beyond repair. A way to reduce the risks of working with Windows registry is to use registry cleanup software which works to advance your computer’s functioning by deleting redundant data. By being aware of Windows registry and understanding how to maintain it, you can keep your computer running smoothly for many years.