Working with Registry Editor in Windows 7 – Part 2

Registry Editor tool comes with your Windows and you can use it to modify the registry. This utility is present in all the installments of Windows, including Windows 7 – it is essential for registry manipulation. This app does not have a desktop shortcut and it cannot be found in Start group of programs. The only way you can activate it is by typing “regedit” in search field (under Start button).

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Registry Editor interface is rather simple and it is similar to Windows Explorer look. On the left pane you have hives and keys. You can drill down to sub-keys (similar to sub-folder structure). On the right side you can see registry data for key that is selected on the left pane. This data can be values, configuration data, etc.

Modifying Keys and Registry Data Values

On the left pane of registry editor, is a directory-like structure tree representing subkeys. Once you find the subkey you want to change, highlight it on the left pane, and modify corresponding value on the right pane. But before you go and start changing and tweaking registry values/keys, make sure you know what you are doing. Once the value is changed, there is no going back unless you have created registry back-up.

You can add new values to subkeys by bring up the menu (right click). Select New Value and type in the Name and corresponding value, in Edit Value (or String) window. Similarly, if you want to add new subkey, bring up the menu with right-click (left pane) and select “New Key”. Just type in the key name and press Enter.
To remove a registry key or value, select the appropriate key/value and use “delete” button. Think twice before deleting, since this operation cannot be un-done.