The Windows Server 2003 Registry Editor

Windows Server 2003 predecessors were configured with two versions of the Registry Editor: REGEDIT.EXE and REGEDT32.EXE. Each one had its own strengths, but it was inconvenient at best to have to use both versions depending on what you set out to do. Fortunately, Microsoft has done away with using two versions. The best of both versions is now incorporated into a single Registry Editor. Both executables (REGEDIT.EXE and REGEDT32.EXE) still exist, but they launch the same utility, like the one shown in Figure 20.5. With Windows Server 2003's single Registry Editor, you can directly modify the local or remote system's Registry, set key permissions, and more.

Figure 20.5. Visible HKEY_USERS subkeys.

Modifying Registry Entries

The Registry Editor enables you, the administrator, to modify the Registry. For example, you can add keys or subkeys, change parameter values, and much more. Because you have so much control over the Registry, it's important that you back up the Registry before making any modifications. This will help prevent accidental Registry corruption or, in the worst case, a system crash. For more information on how to back up the Registry, refer to the section "Backing Up the Registry" later in this chapter.

Adding a Key

You can add a key in almost every area within the Registry. Some exceptions include the following:

• At the Registry's root level

• At the root level of certain hives (such as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_USERS)

• Within the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SECURITY (by default)

To begin adding a key, follow these steps:

1.	Open the Registry Editor from the Run line or command prompt by typing regedit or regedt32.
2.	Expand to the key where you want to add another key (subkey).
3.	Right-click the key and select New, Key.
4.	Type in the name of the key. You can now set a value for the Default value entry if needed.

Adding a Value

To add a value to a specific key, right-click the key (in the left pane) and select one of the values listed in Table 20.3. The type of value you select determines the type of information for the value.

Table 20.3. Various Value Types

Value Item	Description
String value	A fixed-length text string usually representing a description.
Binary value	Raw binary data that can be displayed in hexadecimal (hex) format. Can be used with hardware components.
DWORD value	A 32-bit number that can be displayed in binary, hex, or decimal format.
Multi-string value	Contains several multiple string values separated by a null character. For example, it could contain other Registry locations.
Expandable string value	Contains lists or multiple values, such as system environment variables, in a readable format, similar to the multi-string value. Strings can be separated by commas, spaces, or null characters.

Changing a Value

Sometimes you may need to modify a particular value to increase performance, add functionality, and so on. To change a value, follow these steps:

1.	In the left pane of the Registry Editor, select the key that contains the value that you want to manipulate.
2.	Double-click the value entry in the right pane.
3.	Change the value to the new one according to the value's data type.
4.	Click OK.

Removing a Key or Value

Deleting a Registry key or value is by far the easiest but most dangerous option you have. All you have to do is either press the Delete key or select Delete from the Edit menu.

Searching the Registry

Searching the Registry used to be a task handled primarily by regedit, but now that functionality is built into this single Registry Editor. To search for a key, value, or data, perform the following steps:

1.	Within the Registry Editor's left pane, select My Computer.
2.	Select Find from the Edit menu.
3.	In the Find dialog box, type the key name, value name, or data value that you want to search for.
4.	Choose what to look for (such as keys, values, data) and whether to match whole strings only.
5.	Click Find Next to start the search.

Working with Favorites

Just like the Favorites menu within Internet Explorer, the Registry Editor's Favorites menu allows you to save links to particular locations within the Registry. When you save a link to the Favorites menu, the next time you need to revisit the key, you can quickly jump to the location using a bookmark.

Connecting to a Remote Registry

To connect to a remote Registry, perform the following steps:

1.	Open the Registry Editor by entering regedit or regedt32 at the command prompt.
2.	Select Connect Network Registry from the File menu.
3.	In the Select Computer dialog box, like the one shown in Figure 20.6, type the computer name into the window. Figure 20.6. Selecting a remote Registry.
4.	Click Check Names to verify the computer name that you entered is correct.
5.	Click OK to connect to the remote Registry.

After you connect to the remote Registry, you can modify its HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_USERS hives just as you would the local machine's Registry.