Your registry is a database in your computer that stores core settings and options for Microsoft Windows operating systems, including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, and Windows NT/2000. The settings information that your Windows registry stores includes options for your Windows OS accounts and users, system preferences, hardware, and software. When you change settings on your control panel, system policies, software, file associates, or account options, the changes you make modify your registry, which notes and stores this new information.
This information is stored in your registry in physical files that vary depending on your PC’s type of Windows operating system. If you’re using Windows 95 or Windows 98, the registry stores its information in two different files tucked into your Windows directory, “SYSTEM.dat” and “USER.dat”. If you’re using Windows Me, your registry information is stored in those two files, plus “CLASSES.dat”. If you’re using Windows NT/2000, the your registry files are stored in a directory called “%SystemRoot%\System32\Config”. No matter what Windows operating system you are using, you’re not able to change or edit these files without using software Windows includes in its system, a tool named Registry Editor.
Learn about your Windows registry’s structure ยป