Meaning – The term registry, refers to a database that contains system configuration information regarding the user, the hardware, and the programs and applications that are installed. Windows operating systems reference the registry during operation.
It stores configurations for hardware devices, installed applications, and the Windows operating system. The Registry provides a centralized method of storing custom preferences for each Windows user, rather than storing them as individual .INI files.
The Windows Registry is structured as a hierarchy that has several top-level categories, also known as “hives.”
You should not edit the Windows Registry unless you understand what you are doing. Incorrect Registry settings may cause problems with installed applications or the operating system itself.
Example of usage – “Changing the default program for a specific file extension will update the Registry automatically. Therefore, it is typically not necessary to edit the Windows Registry. However, power users may wish to view and manually override some Registry settings.”
