Forum Discussion
How to Modify the Windows Registry.
Hello. Recently, I successfully made my first Windows registry modification to resolve an annoyance. To ensure I don't create any issues in the future, I'm seeking guidance. Currently, we have three PCs in use. One of them has only one Local Admin Account without a Standard User Account. Following a tutorial, I made a modification to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER key, and it worked smoothly.
On the other hand, our other two PCs, operating on Windows 11 22H2, have both a Local non-Microsoft Admin Account and a Standard Local User Account. The registry keys displayed in regedit are the typical ones: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, HKEY_CURRENT_USER, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, HKEY_USERS, and HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG.
If I wish to implement a change in the registry that applies to both the Admin and Standard User accounts, should I make modifications within the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key instead of CURRENT_USER, as I did with the PC that only has one account? Additionally, I want to mention that I created a backup of the Registry before proceeding with any modifications.
I would appreciate any advice to ensure I'm following the correct approach. Thank you.
- Avoid making changes unless you absolutely need to resolve a specific issue or update a setting. When adjusting settings specific to your user account, always use the HKEY_CURRENT_USER branch.
- You're wise to seek guidance on how to modify the registry safely and effectively. I'll provide you with some tips and best practices to ensure you don't create any issues in the future.
- 1.Open the Registry Editor:
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
Type regedit and press Enter. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to open the Registry Editor.
2.Back Up the Registry:
In the Registry Editor, click on File in the menu.
Select Export.
Choose a location to save the backup file, name it something recognizable (like "RegistryBackup"), and ensure that "All" is selected under the Export range.
3.Click Save.The Windows Registry is organized into a tree structure with keys and values Explore the following main branches (keys):
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT — Stores information about file types and their associations.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER — Contains settings for the currently logged-in user.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE — Contains settings for the computer regardless of user.
HKEY_USERS — Contains settings for all user profiles on the computer.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG — Contains information about the current hardware profile.
4.Find the Key/Value:
Use the folder structure to navigate to the desired registry key. You can also use the 'Find' option by pressing Ctrl + F, entering the name of the key, and pressing Enter.
5.Change a Value:
Once you've located the key, you’ll see the values listed in the right pane.
Right-click the value you want to modify and select Modify.
Change the value data as needed, and click OK.
