May
29

Windows Registry for A+ Exam

By Jane H (25 posts -- read other by posts Jane H)

Everytime you change the display settings, install a new hardware, or have a new user log on to the system, you are adjustiing registry values. Microsoft Windows operating system uses the registry to hold these configuration settings for how the computer should run. The next time you turn on the computer, the boot process uses the values stored in the registry to load a hardware profile (if applicable) and authorizes device drivers.

It might help if you think of the registry as a database to organize your systems information. The registry organizes similar information into files, or Hives. These Hives are stored in the %systemroot%\system32\config as Default, SAM, Security, Software, and System.

Registry

Click for larger view of Hives in config folder

There is one additional Hive, Ntuser.dat, but it is stored in the user’s profile or %systemdrive%\documents and settings\<username>. This Hive stores individual’s personal settings, preferences, etc. The Ntuser.dat found in the Default User folder is used as a template to configure basic profile settings for new users (see following image).

Registry1

Click for larger view of Ntuser in Default User folder

You can view the registry by typing regedit.exe or regedt32.exe from the Run command to open the Registry Editor. The Registry Editor contains two basic elements — keys and values. Registry keys are similar to folders in Windows Explorer. A key can contain another key (subkey) or a value. Registry values store different types of information used to boot the system, run applications, etc.

WARNING! While you can edit values in the Registry Editor, it is strongly recommended that you adjust your system using the Control Panel or other graphic tools. “Playing around” in the registry can lock you out or shut down your system.

Registry2

Click for larger view of Registry Editor

For the Comptia A+ exam you will need to know the Subtree Characteristics

KEYS

COMMENTS

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

Contains file extension associations

Ensures that the correct program opens when you open a file from Windows Explorer

Use the Folder Options command from Tools menu in Windows Explorer instead of adding extensions to key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER

Holds profile information for user currently logged on

Each time a user logs on, user’s profile is copied from HKEY_USERS key to HKEY_CURRENT_USER

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Holds hardware & software information in 5 subkeys:

1. Hardware: settings for device drivers, IRQ

2. Security Accounts Manager (SAM): security settings, user accounts, and group memberships

3. Security: local security policies such as password policy, user rights, account lockout, etc.

4. Software: data about installed software

5. System: information needed to boot Windows

first 3 (Hardware, SAM, and Security) cannot be modified

HKEY_USERS

Contains default profile as well as profiles for all users who have logged on to computer

Use care when editing this key

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG

Hardware information currently in use

Allows for backwards compatibility with older applications and device drivers

HKEY_DYN_DATA

Points to parts of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Used with Windows’ Plug-&-Play subsystem

Found in old Windows 95, 98, and ME

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