How to Use Regedit (with Pictures)

Table of contents:

How to Use Regedit (with Pictures)
How to Use Regedit (with Pictures)
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This article shows you how to use the Windows system program called "Registry Editor", commonly known as "regedit". This tool allows you to view and edit the registry of a Windows computer that controls the operation and configuration of the entire computer and installed programs. Editing the Windows registry incorrectly can permanently damage your operating system, so avoid using this tool if you don't have the proper knowledge or experience.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Start Registry Editor

Use Regedit Step 1
Use Regedit Step 1

Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon

Windowsstart
Windowsstart

It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.

If you're using Windows 8, move your mouse cursor to the top or bottom right corner of the screen, then choose the "Search" option with a magnifying glass icon

Use Regedit Step 2
Use Regedit Step 2

Step 2. Type the keyword regedit into the "Start" menu

This is the command to run to open the graphical interface of the Registry Editor.

Use Regedit Step 3
Use Regedit Step 3

Step 3. Select the regedit icon

It features a small cube made up of a series of square blocks and is visible at the top of the "Start" menu.

Use Regedit Step 4
Use Regedit Step 4

Step 4. Press the Yes button when prompted

This will bring up the Registry Editor window.

If you are logged into Windows without using a system administrator account, you will not be able to open the Registry Editor

Part 2 of 4: Back up the registry

Use Regedit Step 5
Use Regedit Step 5

Step 1. Select the Computer entry in the registry tree menu

It features a monitor icon and is visible at the top of the left sidebar of the interface. Doing so will appear highlighted in blue.

  • In some cases, in order to select the indicated node, you will have to scroll the tree menu upwards.
  • This step allows you to make a backup copy of the entire registry. However, you can opt to back up a single folder or a portion of the registry.
Use Regedit Step 6
Use Regedit Step 6

Step 2. Access the File menu

It is located in the upper left of the Registry Editor window. A drop-down menu will appear.

Use Regedit Step 7
Use Regedit Step 7

Step 3. Choose the Export… option

It is one of the items located at the top of the "File" menu. This will bring up the "Export Registry File" window.

Use Regedit Step 8
Use Regedit Step 8

Step 4. Name the backup file using the "File Name" text field

It may be convenient to choose a descriptive name, including today's date, so that you can immediately recognize the file to use in case you need to restore the registry.

Use Regedit Step 9
Use Regedit Step 9

Step 5. Choose where to save the backup file

Select one of the icons visible on the left part of the "Export Registry File" window to be able to choose where to save the backup file, then select the destination folder by choosing it from the list that appears in the main window pane.

Use Regedit Step 10
Use Regedit Step 10

Step 6. Press the Save button

It is located at the bottom of the window. This way a copy of the entire system registry will be exported to a backup file and stored in the specified folder. If something does not work properly during registry changes, you will always have the option to restore the original version and fix the problem.

  • To restore a registry backup file access the menu File, choose the option It matters…, then select the backup file to restore.
  • Before making any changes to the Windows registry, it should always be backed up completely.

Part 3 of 4: Using the Registry Editor Tree Menu

Use Regedit Step 11
Use Regedit Step 11

Step 1. Click the> icon placed next to the item Computer.

It is located on the left of the latter. In this way the knot Computer of the tree menu will be "expanded", revealing the information it contains.

If under the heading Computer folders are already visible, it means that the related tree menu node has already been expanded.

Use Regedit Step 12
Use Regedit Step 12

Step 2. Examine the default nodes that make up the Windows registry

Normally, within the entry Computer in the registry tree menu, there are five folders:

  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT;
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER;
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE;
  • HKEY_USERS;
  • HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG.
Use Regedit Step 13
Use Regedit Step 13

Step 3. Select a registry folder

Expand any of the main registry nodes as needed. This will display the list of all the keys it contains.

For example by selecting the node HKEY_CURRENT_USER with a mouse click, in the right pane of the window, you should see at least one icon named (Default) appear.

Use Regedit Step 14
Use Regedit Step 14

Step 4. Expand a registry node

Click the icon >, located on the left of the folder you want to access, to view all the keys and subfolders it contains. This mechanism works for each of the entries that make up the registry tree menu.

  • Alternatively, to access a folder or expand a particular menu node, you can simply select them with a double click of the mouse.
  • Some folders (for example the one named HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT) contain hundreds of subfolders, which means that expanding this node within the sidebar of the interface will show a long list of items. When this happens, getting around within the registry keys can be a bit difficult. In any case, remember that all menu items are sorted alphabetically.
Use Regedit Step 15
Use Regedit Step 15

Step 5. Review the items in the menu bar

The latter is located at the top of the Registry Editor window and consists of the following menus:

  • File - allows you to import and export the data in the system log or to print the selected log items;
  • Edit - it allows you to modify some aspects of the registry elements or to create new ones and to carry out a search;
  • View - enable and disable the display of the Registry Editor address bar (not all versions of Windows 10 have this feature). It also allows you to view binary data relating to a specific element of the register;
  • Favorites - adds a registry folder to the computer's "Favorites" list;

  • ?

    - shows information about the Registry Editor and gives access to the Microsoft support page for the latter.

Use Regedit Step 16
Use Regedit Step 16

Step 6. Double click on an item in one of the registry menu folders

In most of the keys that make up the Windows registry there are textual data, characterized by white icons with red letters inside ab and the wording (Default). By selecting this element with a double click of the mouse you will be able to view its contents.

Use Regedit Step 17
Use Regedit Step 17

Step 7. Press the Cancel button

The "Edit String" dialog for the selected item will close.

Part 4 of 4: Create and Delete Registry Items

Use Regedit Step 18
Use Regedit Step 18

Step 1. Go to the registry key where you want to create a new value

You can do this by expanding a registry node, scrolling through the list of subfolders and navigating to the one you want. If necessary, you will have to repeat this series of steps until you reach the key where you want to create a new element.

Use Regedit Step 19
Use Regedit Step 19

Step 2. Select the folder of your interest

This is the registry key you want to add a new value to. In this way it will be highlighted in blue, which means that whatever element you decide to create will be inserted inside it.

Use Regedit Step 20
Use Regedit Step 20

Step 3. Enter the Edit menu

It is located in the upper left of the window. A new drop-down menu will appear.

Use Regedit Step 21
Use Regedit Step 21

Step 4. Choose the New option

It is visible at the top of the "Edit" menu. A submenu will appear next to the first one.

Use Regedit Step 22
Use Regedit Step 22

Step 5. Choose the type of item you want to create

Select one of the available options:

  • String value - these are elements used to specify the operation of system elements (for example the speed of the keyboard or the size of the icons);
  • DWORD value - these entities work in conjunction with string values to outline the operation of certain system processes;
  • Key - these are the registry items that contain the values and function exactly like a normal folder;
  • In addition to the basic elements described, there are also some variations of the DWORD values and string values that must be used according to the changes that must be made to the registry.
Use Regedit Step 23
Use Regedit Step 23

Step 6. Name the newly created item

Type the name you need to assign to the DWORD value, string or key you just created, then press the Enter key. The selected item will be created in the selected folder and will be marked by the name entered.

If you need to make changes to a registry value, double-click it to view its contents and make the necessary changes

Use Regedit Step 24
Use Regedit Step 24

Step 7. Delete an item from the registry

Remember that deleting keys or values that have not been expressly created by you can cause even serious malfunction of the entire computer. Follow these instructions:

  • Select the key or the value of the registry to be deleted;
  • Access the menu Edit;
  • Choose the option Delete;
  • When prompted, press the button OK.
Use Regedit Step 25
Use Regedit Step 25

Step 8. Close the Registry Editor window

Simply click the icon in the shape of X placed in the upper right corner of the window in question. Alternatively, access the "File" menu and choose the "Exit" option.

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