Chapter 1: Learning the Basics

Overview

The registry has a subtle but important role in Microsoft Windows XP. On one hand, the registry is passive—it's just a big collection of settings sitting on your hard disk, and you probably don't think much about it while you're editing a document, browsing the Internet, or searching for a file. On the other hand, it plays a key role in all those activities. The settings in the registry determine how Windows XP appears and how it behaves. They even control applications running on your computer. This gives the registry great potential as a tool for power users or IT professionals, enabling them to customize settings that aren't available in the user interface.

This chapter introduces the registry to you. First you learn about the registry's role and how it fits into your world. Then I explain some important terminology to ensure that we're speaking the same language, and you see how Windows XP organizes the registry. Next you learn about the tools I use to edit the registry. And last, you see how Windows XP stores the registry on the hard disk. Throughout this chapter, you'll find several tidbits that are useful beyond the registry. For example, you learn about the two different architectures for storing numbers in memory, which IT professionals run into as much outside the registry as inside.

This is all basic information, but don't skip this chapter. Read it once, and you'll be set for the rest of this book.



Microsoft Windows XP Registry Guide
Microsoft Windows XP Registry Guide (Bpg-Other)
ISBN: 0735617880
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 185

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