How to Experiment With the Windows Registry Safely

You can fix Windows problems or customize your Windows desktop by editing the Windows Registry. However, improper editing of the Registry can seriously cripple your Windows system. Use the following steps to edit your Windows Registry safely. This procedure applies to Windows 95 and Windows 98.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Windows

1. Learn about the Windows Registry, what it contains and how it works, before editing it. Use a search engine like Google or Yahoo! to learn more.

2. Back up the Registry before attempting any changes. (See "How to Back Up the Windows Registry.")

3. Take the time to learn a little bit more about Windows and computers in general, if you need to. Become familiar with how your system works.

4. Create an external start-up disk, or update your existing one, in case you corrupt your Registry. Make sure it has the appropriate drivers for your CD drive in case - and this would be a last resort - you need to reinstall Windows.

5. Open and edit the Registry carefully. If you are making changes based on an expert's recommendation, follow the recommendation exactly. Make one change and check the effects of your change.

6. If your Registry changes do not work, or if they corrupt another Windows setting, then restore the Registry from your most recent backup. Don't continue with a possibly suspect Registry.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the Internet for a variety of Registry changes you can make. Follow the steps above each time you make a Registry change. Don't make changes if you're not sure what they might do.
• Consider using Tweak UI, an unofficial Windows program that provides an easy interface to edit the Registry.
• As stated above, use caution when editing the registry. Incorrect changes to this file can cripple Windows. In many cases, Windows automatically replaces the corrupted registry with a good backup it has stored away, but don't rely on this feature to rescue you. Always back up your registry before editing it.

[mjackson]

on 4/19/2007 I'm not sure about tweeking the registry, but I cleaned my registry out and my computer went much faster! There are a number of free programs out there - I used Reigstry Defender. (www.registrydefender.com)

on 11/22/2005 To be extra safe, regedt32.exe allows read-only mode (Options -> Read Only). You may wish to use that if you're just browsing around the registry and to become more familiar with the hives and keys.