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Questions tagged [windows-registry]

Window registry is a hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and options on Microsoft Windows operating systems. It contains settings for low-level operating system components as well as the applications running on the platform: the kernel, device drivers, services, SAM, user interface and third party applications all make use of the Registry.

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138 votes
10 answers
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How do you remove a default program association for file types in Windows 7?

I somehow have set the default file type association for a file type in Windows 7. It doesn't appear to be possible to delete it from the "Change the file type associated with a file extension" ...
Christothes's user avatar
  • 4,267
78 votes
2 answers
75k views

How can I disable flashing icons on Windows 7 taskbar?

I set my Windows 7 taskbar to auto-hide. However, sometimes when a program changes or something new happens in a program, the taskbar will show its self, and its respective taskbar icon will begin ...
Jeff Gortmaker's user avatar
71 votes
4 answers
39k views

Which special variables are available when writing a shell command for a context menu

When extending the Windows' shell context menu (e.g. for adding an 'Open command here' prompt on directories), a 'command' key needs to be created in the registry. The value of this 'command' key ...
Gio's user avatar
  • 813
67 votes
10 answers
82k views

Linux equivalent of Windows Registry

What is the Linux equivalent of Windows Registry? If there is no equivalent or similar structure in Linux, how are the things that are done by the Windows Registry handled in Linux?
serena's user avatar
  • 1,125
62 votes
4 answers
10k views

Is “HKLM” an alias for “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE”?

HKLM is often used as an abbreviation for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Somewhat unexpectedly this also appears to be true when I ask reg for a value. C:\>reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\...
Joe Kearney's user avatar
58 votes
2 answers
213k views

How to disable Windows 10 memory compression?

my former wrong assumption: it drains my notebook battery and I've no shortage of RAM. In Task manager you see ntoskrnl.exe is eating more CPU time than any other process. this feature does not appear ...
Falco Alexander's user avatar
49 votes
9 answers
294k views

How to restore the Path environment variable I deleted?

I accidentally deleted the Path environment variable by creating a new one with Path name. How can I restore my old Path environment variable?
deno's user avatar
  • 491
46 votes
3 answers
11k views

When does Windows write registry changes to disk?

TL;DR: I've noticed that if I make a registry change and then hard-shutdown my Windows 10 system, the registry change does not appear after reboot. I've also noticed that the deletion of a ...
Shrout1's user avatar
  • 1,104
46 votes
15 answers
90k views

"Create new text document" option missing from context menu

I noticed today that there is no longer a "Create new text document" option in my Windows 7 (x64 Ultimate) context menu when I right click. No idea how or when it disappeared, point is it's gone. ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 1,009
45 votes
4 answers
190k views

Where are Registry Files stored in Windows?

Where is the Registry stored in Windows? I want to find the files shown when running regedit.exe (Windows Registry Editor).
oneat's user avatar
  • 3,361
44 votes
5 answers
321k views

How to reset shortcuts (.lnk file) in Windows 7?

Somehow I went to open a shortcut and Windows couldn't find the target but instead of pointing the shortcut to the .exe it pointed the .lnk file handler to the .exe, so now all my .lnk files are ...
Joel Barsotti's user avatar
44 votes
6 answers
156k views

What's the easiest and fastest way to compare 2 registry files?

I would like to find the changes made in the registry after installing something on my computer. However I would like to also know what can be done with ease as a general procedure.
Notitze's user avatar
  • 1,156
40 votes
12 answers
5k views

Is it worth cleaning the registry?

I have heard that you should keep the registry clean on Windows. Is this actually important or is it just myth?
Jeff Yates's user avatar
  • 1,568
40 votes
8 answers
115k views

Switching default audio device with a batch file

I'm trying to write a batch file on Windows 10 that allows me to switch between my headset and my speakers as default audio device when I run it. I don't want to use any third-party software. I tried ...
zerothehero's user avatar
40 votes
2 answers
345k views

How do I modify the data of an existing registry key value name from cmd?

How do I modify an existing registry key value from cmd? There are a lot of options and switches, bells and whistles, for the Reg command. There are options to query, add, and delete keys, subkeys, ...
Samir's user avatar
  • 20.9k
39 votes
6 answers
177k views

Can I safely remove *.msi and *.msp files that are in C:\Windows\Installer but are not the mentioned in the registry?

My C:\Windows\Installer folder has grown over 10 GB. I noticed that some *.msi and *.msp files are in C:\Windows\Installer but not the mentioned in the registry (e.g. I can see a file named "104a0288....
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar
38 votes
13 answers
134k views

How to automate setting Chrome as default browser in Windows 10

I've tried setting default in the reg keys: hkeycu>software>microsoft>windows>shell>associations>urlassociations>http and https. Tried using master_preference file. Tried using ...
Josh's user avatar
  • 401
38 votes
4 answers
22k views

Remove Desktop entry from Alt+Tab list

Is it possible to remove the entry for the desktop from Windows 7's Alt+Tab list? So far I have found a post telling me to add an entry to the registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/...
MichaelM's user avatar
  • 894
37 votes
5 answers
393k views

Delete registry key or value via a CMD script?

How do I edit an already-in-production .cmd script file, in order to have the script delete a certain registry key in the Windows registry? Firstly, is this even possible, and secondly (if that's not ...
Derek's user avatar
  • 371
37 votes
3 answers
17k views

Why does Windows limit icon overlays to 15?

We can see endless questions about Dropbox vs TortoiseSVN vs many other apps icon overlays conflicts. Two examples: Why are Icon Overlays (from 3rdParty-Apps) not showing up in the Win8 Explorer? Can ...
Nuno's user avatar
  • 855
37 votes
3 answers
10k views

How to restore the Process Name column in Process Explorer?

Currently, Process Explorer's window does not show the process name: (When I run Process Explorer as another user, the column displays correctly.) I have tried dragging all the column handlers, but ...
badp's user avatar
  • 3,737
36 votes
3 answers
92k views

On Windows, why java -version return Error: opening registry key 'Software\JavaSoft\Java Runtime Environment'?

I've removed all ancient Java 8 install on my computer. I've downloaded latest openjdk 11 from https://jdk.java.net/11/ and extracted the content to C:\Program Files\Java\. I've setup system ...
O. Durand's user avatar
  • 1,051
36 votes
7 answers
83k views

Editing the "Open with" menu in Windows 10

I use PDF Split & Merge (PDF SAM) frequently, but don't want to set it as the default PDF handler. When I right-click on a PDF and select Open with, these are the options I am given. To select ...
music2myear's user avatar
  • 42.3k
34 votes
4 answers
154k views

Remove an unused/hidden network connection so that an existing name can be reused

How can I safely remove a network connection that is no longer visible in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network Connections on Windows 10? I want to reuse the name of a previously existing ...
matt.baker's user avatar
33 votes
5 answers
18k views

Is there a way to see all files and registry entries that an application installs?

I am trying to figure out if there is a way to basically install an application into a sandbox, so that I can easily see all files it created and all registry entries it added without searching the ...
user1632018's user avatar
32 votes
10 answers
116k views

Rename OneDrive for Business folder in Explorer

After installing Office 365, I have a new special folder in Explorer called "OneDrive - Company Name LLC". I found a registry key at Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\...
THE JOATMON's user avatar
  • 1,923
31 votes
2 answers
7k views

What connection does MS Office have to Netscape Navigator?

While poking around in the registry, I noticed a Netscape Navigator key at the following: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Netscape\Netscape Navigator That key contained two more keys "Suffixes" and "...
Sir_Josh's user avatar
  • 313
30 votes
3 answers
56k views

Why use "Cmd /c Powershell" instead of just "Powershell"?

I've added my first context menu using the registry as per instructions given in this question (yay me). I originally used this as the command that it executes, i.e. the value of the "command" key: ...
stib's user avatar
  • 4,319
29 votes
1 answer
104k views

Where does Windows store MSI files for uninstallation?

I'm trying to figure out how Windows (XP through 7) is handling installation and uninstallation of MSI files. I have come up in situations where Windows Installer is unable to uninstall because it's ...
Nilzor's user avatar
  • 4,509
29 votes
5 answers
61k views

"Always use this program to open these files" is grayed out. Why?

I inadvertently set the Registry Editor to be the default editor for *.txt files. Now when I go to change the default, "Always use this program to open these files" is grayed out. This is the case ...
Herb Caudill's user avatar
29 votes
4 answers
9k views

What does the path '\REGISTRY\A\...' in Sysinternals Procmon log mean?

I use Sysinternals Procmon utility to monitor the registry access by some programs. Most log entries have the Path property starting from HKCU\… or HKLM\…, that corresponds to the registry hives ...
Vladimir Reshetnikov's user avatar
27 votes
7 answers
70k views

Where in the registry does Windows store with which program to open certain file types?

After installing Adobe PDF reader, it opens files with the .PDF file extension. Ones' default web browser opens .html files and notepad opens .txt files, etc. Where exactly in the registry are these ...
claws's user avatar
  • 4,359
27 votes
10 answers
77k views

Permanently disable num lock in Windows?

I like to use the number keys for cursor movement. But every so often I hit NumLock by mistake, and then instead of moving the cursor where I want it, I end up with an input like this: 44444488 How ...
William Jockusch's user avatar
27 votes
5 answers
119k views

How to export a specific registry key to a text file using command line

How can I export specific value from the registry to a text file using the command line? For example, I want to export Hkey_local_Machine\Software\mcafee to a text file in C:. I just need the key – ...
Sohail's user avatar
  • 391
26 votes
3 answers
81k views

Access another user's HKEY_CURRENT_USER Registry branch

I am looking for a way to access the registry of other users on a computer so I can copy them. The idea is that I am trying to get a complicated Delphi app to compile and run on more than one profile....
Vaccano's user avatar
  • 6,726
26 votes
5 answers
41k views

What is a faster way to search the Windows registry?

Because the Windows registry is a hierarchy, the way regedit is laid out makes typical searches inefficient and slow. Typically, when performing a search in regedit, you highlight the first line ('...
End Antisemitic Hate's user avatar
25 votes
2 answers
7k views

What happens when I delete the entire Windows registry?

I've been wondering what would happen if I delete all the registry stuff. Would my PC stop working? Edit: I've edited the code, now it should delete the registry. cd %TMP% reg query HKCR> RegTest....
SkYWAGz's user avatar
  • 329
24 votes
6 answers
25k views

Retrieve/decrypt Windows 7 product key from Linux

I accidentally disconnected my hard drive while it was still running and corrupted my Windows 7 installation; I am now completely unable to boot into Windows. I have tried everything to try and repair ...
sundiata's user avatar
  • 241
24 votes
4 answers
20k views

Configure Windows Creators Update Night Light via Registry

How can the new Night Light feature in Windows 10 (Pro) Creators Update be configured via the registry? I'd like to auto configure new/updated installations when using my configuration management ...
David F. Severski's user avatar
24 votes
2 answers
71k views

Edit another Windows install's registry

I have a hard drive plugged into my computer here which I'd like to edit the registry for. When opening up "regedit," it obviously loads the local Windows registry. Is there a way to load the Windows ...
Naftuli Kay's user avatar
  • 9,651
23 votes
8 answers
109k views

What registry key or windows file determines where monitors are placed in a multi monitor environment?

I have a laptop with a USB to VGA adapter which allows me to add a third monitor to my laptop (the second monitor uses the onboard slot). It worked fine on Windows Vista - you could go into Windows' ...
user avatar
23 votes
3 answers
9k views

Why won't normal uninstalls remove values from the registry?

Expanding on How do I remove residual traces of uninstalled software from the registry? -- every time I uninstall a program and then later look it up via RegEdit it's still there! Why are the ...
Mark Boulder's user avatar
23 votes
7 answers
97k views

How to increase mouse sensitivity beyond limits in Windows Regedit?

I want to increase mouse sensitivity beyond the limits set in Windows 7 Control Panel. I found various mouse sensitivity settings in regedit under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Mouse. Can I ...
Alfred James's user avatar
23 votes
4 answers
63k views

Where can I find Windows keyboard scancode registry information?

I am in the process of remapping some keys on my Windows 7 keyboard. I have done the following (in a .reg file): [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout] "Scancode ...
enderland's user avatar
  • 2,028
22 votes
2 answers
12k views

Is the same Windows registry shared between all user profiles?

I have two user profiles on my Windows 10 PC, a developer profile and a regular profile. In the developer profile, I ran a .reg file to add a context menu item that opens a Windows Terminal instance ...
Raj Narayanan's user avatar
22 votes
10 answers
168k views

How do I set the desktop background on Windows from a script?

On X Windows I had a cool 'silent-alarm" reminder script that would change my root window (background) color to solid red, just for a few seconds a few moments before changing it back. Is there a way ...
user avatar
21 votes
5 answers
21k views

How do I disable my computer's HDD LED?

It is very bothersome to work with my Windows 10 laptop when there is a constant light flashing in my face. Is there a way to either edit the registry or the BIOS to stop the hard drive activity light ...
IlllIIllllIlllIllllllIlllllIIl's user avatar
21 votes
1 answer
32k views

Autorun for PowerShell

I have created some aliases (doskey), saved them to a file and added AutoRun value (pointing that file) for cmd.exe at: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor I would like to do the ...
mkas's user avatar
  • 313
20 votes
3 answers
5k views

Can I remove Windows 10 Timeline's nudge to "see more days in timeline"

For users who haven't signed in with a Microsoft account and given Microsoft access to their computer activity, the Windows 10 task view contains a message right below the currently open applications: ...
Empiromancer's user avatar
20 votes
3 answers
4k views

What determines the icon for entries in the New context menu?

I'm not entirely sure how this works. So I can add items to the "new" context menu (that appears when right clicking or pressing the menu button) through the registry editor. For example, if ...
EllipticalInitial's user avatar

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