Access Windows Registry

[thomaspayne]

How do I access the Windows registry?

[factor-fiction]

You need to be absolutely sure about what you are doing.
I think you need to type regedit or something like that

[daisya]

Agree with FF - should leave registry well alone unless you're expert in computers.

[Mosaic]

Grasshopper, if you need to ask this question....you DO NOT need to go there.
Step away from the start > system > properties

[thomaspayne]

I wanna access & edit internal windows registry.

[bazwillrun]

hit your Start button then either use the run box from the list or use the search option and type Regedit

[daffy654]

You really don't 'wanna access & edit'. The Windows registry is not somewhere to be messing about if you have no idea how to even access it (as other posters have already said).

[Quoi]

Au contraire - how are supposed to get to know what you are doing if you are scared to look.

do what bazwillrun says and be careful - take a backup of your registry first just in case.
How a look around - you will be fascinated.

[Quoi]

obviously I meant 'have' a look around

[daffy654]

Someone who doesn't know how to access the registry is not going to have any idea how to do a backup and then restore if they need to.


*facepalm*

[bibblebub]

If someone wants to tinker with the registry and they know the risks why shouldn't they? There was always a first time for those of us who do.

[daffy654]

Ok then Thomas, have at it. Don't complain when you completely c0ck everything up though.

I would strongly advise that you locate a website that explains in minute detail how to backup and restore any changes you make before you go any further!

[Quoi]

Well that will be the next question the wont it?

your face is looking a little red on the top there - you should stop doing that.

[thomaspayne]

daffy but I wanna do it for my pc.

[daffy654]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/136393

[daffy654]

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/learn-how-use-windows-registry-editor-regedit-one-easy-lesson.htm

Better than the outdated Microsoft article

[thomaspayne]

ty daffy for that article.

[VHG]

The registry is probably THE most important file on your computer.

Entries can be deleted from the registry or added to the registry.

However deleting the wrong thing, or adding the wrong thing, can stop your computer starting properly and may involve a reinstall of Windows.

The registry was NOT meant to be updated by humans but by other computer programs.

THAT is why people are saying leave it alone.

[thomaspayne]

vhg if i try to make changes in "regdit" then is it risky for my computer?

[daisya]

Looks like that's why he said Thomas!

[VHG]

regedit allows you to make changes to your registry.

But as me and others have said, it is a very risky thing to do unless you know what you are doing.

While Microsoft do provide regedit as part of Windows they dont "promote" it and it is really only there for computer specialists to make changes if they really need to.

Leave your registry alone.