How to Modify the Vista Registry With Regedit

The Registry Editor can be used to remove a computer virus.

Windows Vista includes a tool called the Registry Editor (regedit). The Registry Editor allows you to view and edit your system registry. Your system registry contains all the information about how your computer runs. Thus, you can use the Registry Editor to uninstall programs, change the boot order and modify desktop color schemes, among other things. To use the Registry Editor, you must be logged in as an administrator.

Instructions

1. Log in to the Windows operating system using your administrator name and password.

2. Click "Start." Type "regedit" into the search field and press "Enter." The Registry Editor opens.

3. Click on the registry entry you wish to edit in the left pane of the Registry Editor. Alternatively, you can click "Edit." Now, click "Find" and type the name of the registry entry into the search field. Press "Find Next."

4. Click "Edit" and select an option. For example, you can change the permissions by clicking on "Permissions" or change the string value by clicking "New" and "String Value."

5. Click "File" and "Exit." If asked whether you want to save changes, click "Yes."

Tips & Warnings

• Editing the registry is a technical process that, if done incorrectly, can cause significant system-wide failures that may require you to re-install the Windows Vista operating system. Thus, editing the registry should not be attempted by inexperienced users.

References

• Microsoft: Registry Editor Overview
• Computer Hope: Launch Regedit