Changes

The registry also allows multiple users to log in and use a workstation. Because program settings can be stored on a per-user basis in each user's respective location in the registry, a program can call that specific group of settings when a user executes a program. Text-based .INI files, however, were often stored in a program's installation directory, thus limiting that program to one configuration. The ability of the registry to allow for multiple users has led in part to the development and increased adoption of multiple user workstations and environments, such as [[Active Directory]] domains in the corporate environment and family PCs in the home.

The registry also allows multiple users to log in and use a workstation. Because program settings can be stored on a per-user basis in each user's respective location in the registry, a program can call that specific group of settings when a user executes a program. Text-based .INI files, however, were often stored in a program's installation directory, thus limiting that program to one configuration. The ability of the registry to allow for multiple users has led in part to the development and increased adoption of multiple user workstations and environments, such as [[Active Directory]] domains in the corporate environment and family PCs in the home.

The centralized nature of the registry also makes backups and restoration of system and user configuration information significantly easier than for .INI files. Although the registry does technically consist of multiple files that can be stored in radically different locations on the local machine or even across the network, the Windows operating system is traditionally capable of working with these different locations as if they were combined.<ref name="The Windows Registry"> [http://www.tech-pro.net/intro_reg.html The Windows Registry ]</ref>

The centralized nature of the registry also makes backups and restoration of system and user configuration information significantly easier than for .INI files. Although the registry does technically consist of multiple files that can be stored in radically different locations on the local machine or even across the network, the Windows operating system is traditionally capable of working with these different locations as if they were combined.<ref name="The Windows Registry">[http://www.tech-pro.net/intro_reg.html The Windows Registry ]</ref>

== Disadvantages ==

== Disadvantages ==

The Windows registry does possess several disadvantages as well. Although it is relatively easy to back up and restore the database to the same Windows installation, moving per-program settings to a different machine is difficult because so many programs use settings that are dependent on the local machine. <ref name="The Windows Registry"/>

The Windows registry does possess several disadvantages as well. Although it is relatively easy to back up and restore the database to the same Windows installation, moving per-program settings to a different machine is difficult because so many programs use settings that are dependent on the local machine.<ref name="The Windows Registry"/>

The entire registry database must be processed upon every boot for the operating system to function, which can create performance delays during startup. Critics have also labeled the Windows registry as a single point of failure, because its centralized and hierarchical structure, while providing the many benefits discussed above, also makes it a weak link in the system and an easy target for both malicious and unintentional damage by users. <ref name="Forensic Analysis of the Windows Registry">[http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2381418/Forensic-Analysis-of-the-Windows-Registry-Computer-Forensics Forensic Analysis of the Windows Registry]</ref>

The entire registry database must be processed upon every boot for the operating system to function, which can create performance delays during startup. Critics have also labeled the Windows registry as a single point of failure, because its centralized and hierarchical structure, while providing the many benefits discussed above, also makes it a weak link in the system and an easy target for both malicious and unintentional damage by users.<ref name="Forensic Analysis of the Windows Registry">[http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2381418/Forensic-Analysis-of-the-Windows-Registry-Computer-Forensics Forensic Analysis of the Windows Registry]</ref>

Applications that store their settings in the registry are irreducibly tied to the local machine, meaning that transitioning users from one computer to another very often requires a complete re-installation of the program. <ref name="Was the Windows Registry a Good Idea?">[http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2007/08/was-the-windows-registry-a-good-idea.html Was the Windows Registry a Good Idea?]</ref>

Applications that store their settings in the registry are irreducibly tied to the local machine, meaning that transitioning users from one computer to another very often requires a complete re-installation of the program.<ref name="Was the Windows Registry a Good Idea?">[http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2007/08/was-the-windows-registry-a-good-idea.html Was the Windows Registry a Good Idea?]</ref>

== Structure==

== Structure==

==Registry repair==

==Registry repair==

{{cquote|The problem with most registry repair titles is that they are based on the same open source software script which has then been customized and branded to their company name. The issue with this base product is that it is a basic registry scanning program that doesn't have the capacity or technology to effectively clean your registry. <ref>[http://www.asknerd.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&gclid=CKrrkdabxaACFctx5QodMT2VaA]</ref>}}

{{cquote|The problem with most registry repair titles is that they are based on the same open source software script which has then been customized and branded to their company name. The issue with this base product is that it is a basic registry scanning program that doesn't have the capacity or technology to effectively clean your registry.<ref>[http://www.asknerd.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&gclid=CKrrkdabxaACFctx5QodMT2VaA]</ref>}}

==See Also==

==See also==

{{reflist|1}}

{{reflist|1}}

==External Links==

==External links==

* [http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/ Tweak Registry from PCTools.com]

* [http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/ Tweak Registry from PCTools.com]