Understanding the Registry

Say you’ve changed the desktop wallpaper using Control Panel’s Display icon. The next time you start your computer, how does Windows XP know which wallpaper you selected? Or, if you change your video display driver, how does Windows XP know to use that driver at startup and not the original driver loaded during Setup? In other words, how does Windows XP “remember” the various settings and options either that you’ve selected yourself or that are appropriate for your system?

The secret to Windows XP’s prodigious memory is the registry. The registry is a central database that Windows XP uses to store anything and everything that applies to the configuration of your system. This includes all of the following:

• Information about all the hardware installed on your computer.

• The resources used by those devices.

• A list of the device drivers that get loaded at startup.

• Settings used internally by Windows XP.

• File type data that associates a particular type of file with a specific application.

• Wallpaper, color schemes, and other interface customization settings.

• Other customization settings for items such as the Start menu and the taskbar.

• Settings for accessories such as Windows Explorer and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

• Internet and network connections and passwords.

• Settings and customization options for many applications.

Even better, thanks to a handy tool called the Registry Editor (discussed later in this chapter), it’s yours to play with (carefully!) as you see fit.