So, as long as you don’t go around messing with things that you are unsure of, a quick web search will yield all sorts of registry tweaks for both Windows and other programs that you might find useful. There you will see a massive array of folder-like structures called registry keys, which contain a myriad of settings.ĭespite the warnings from Microsoft that editing the registry can cause serious damage to your computer, it can be a very powerful way to customize Windows. The structure is easy to view for yourself just by typing regedit into the Run window, which launches a program called Registry Editor.

The registry helps different software to communicate with each other more, easily keeps track of settings for multiple users on the same machine, and uses a hierarchical structure to keep things organized. Later on, Microsoft developed the registry as a more robust solution that can store many more settings than an individual INI. Back in the early days of Windows, both the operating system and other programs relied on small text files called INI to store settings. So, what exactly is the Windows registry and why can issues with it cause problems for your PC? The registry isn’t a dumping ground it is a database on your hard drive that stores important settings for both Windows and other programs you have installed. If you’re a Windows user, you’ve probably encountered messages telling you that there’s a problem with the registry. About Outbyte, uninstall instructions, EULA, Privacy Policy.

Reset registry to default windows 10