The System Registry has been called the most important part of any Windows PC operating system (OS), but you probably didn’t even know it exists. There is a good reason for that. Microsoft doesn’t want you messing with it. Like so many other features in Windows, Microsoft chose to hide information considered too powerful to be left in the hands of mere mortals. Only the wisest of gurus can be entrusted with such knowledge.

Unlike silly decisions like automatically hiding the 3-character extension of filenames, however, this is one area where Microsoft had a good reason to keep the registry on the top shelf out of reach. The registry controls everything and a single mistake can have devastating consequences on the entire OS. Installed programs and applications will write important data into the registry. User defined data and configurations are also stored.

The data is tracked through a tree of folders called “keys” that branch off the registry nodes. Each key can have subkeys nested in multiple levels. Critical pieces of data known as “values” are stored in the keys and subkeys. Groups of related keys, subkeys and values are known as hives.

Applications can modify the keys by changing the values, adding new keys or deleting existing ones. More recent versions of  Windows will back up the registry and in the event of a problem, will ask you if you want to use the “Last known good configuration.” This was an option that began in the old Windows NT days. If you ever see this option, the correct proper response will most likely be yes, but that may also mean that recently installed programs will no longer operate unless reinstalled.

The good news is that such configuration issues related to the registry will not affect your important data: documents, photos, etc. The bad news is that many times the problem that caused the crash in the first place may also be saved in the backup versions of the registry. More than one person has been in the unfortunate position of having to completely reinstall their Windows OS, with many a prayer to the computer gods that the file and data associations will be restored as well. It is not a bad idea to make your own back up onto a flash drive or make copies on the C: drive. Of course, if you backup your registry to the C: drive and your disk fails the backup will be unavailable. If you backup to a flash drive but your computer fails to recognize the drive upon boot without the OS running, that won’t help either. Be sure to consult the documentation of your computer and OS. Or, just be sure to actually backup your computer regularly and have the backups always handy. With the size and speed of USB flash drives, you might want to consider saving all your data to a removable disk.

Before you have an issue, you should consider all your options. The best suggestion is to try to prevent such problems with proper maintenance of your Windows Registry. Many software programs exist to examine registry the keys and make any necessary repairs. These programs can even check your registry for unused keys that clog your system. Removing these keys can significantly improve performance.

For more information on the Windows Registry, check out the articles at Answer Registry Reviews.  There are reviews of popular registry cleaning software products and you can even use links on the site to download and purchase highly effective registry cleaning software.

]]> http://www.answer-registryreviews.com/blog/the-key-to-the-windows-registry.html/feed 0 http://www.answer-registryreviews.com/blog/windows-registry-under-attack.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=windows-registry-under-attack http://www.answer-registryreviews.com/blog/windows-registry-under-attack.html#comments Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:51:33 +0000 John Russell http://www.answer-registryreviews.com/blog/?p=416 Windows Registry Under Attack, How to Fix it?

Cyber attacks and virus assaults are on the rise in 2009. From government systems to the home PC, no system seems truly safe anymore. According to the experts at McAfee, “Cyber assaults have become more sophisticated in their nature, designed to specifically slip under the radar of government cyber defenses. Attacks have progressed from initial curiosity probes to well-funded and well-organized operations for political, military, economic and technical espionage.”

Computer hackers and virus vandals deliberately assault either specific, high-value targets (such as various government and military systems) or try to do the most damage to as many computers as possible around the world. Since the widest-used operating system by far is some version of Microsoft Windows, most viruses by far are designed to attack Windows systems. Specifically, the intended victim is often the Windows Registry.

The registry is a prime target for several reasons. First, it controls literally everything from the color of the desktop to the location and association of files. Second it is incredibly large, with many seemingly innocuous pockets where potential dangerous code can hide.

Finally, it is an integral part of the Windows Operating system that cannot be insulated from attack without loss of functionality. It’s the job of outside hardware and software solutions such as firewalls to block potential attacks.

The registry can be attacked from a variety of fronts. One of the latest uses Adobe Acrobat Reader, one of the most popular software considered essential by most computer users. Another threat, the Downadup worm attacked more than 3.5 million computers before a security patch was released by Microsoft.

Various programs install themselves when you surf the Internet, altering registry keys in order to track and transmit Internet usage data to an outside system. Multiple keys can be affected and the program can replicate itself, saving copies all over your hard drive under a variety of innocent-sounding names that are difficult to track and eliminate.

Removing parts of the registry in order to counteract a virus is dangerous at best, since even the smallest change if done incorrectly can being the entire system to a halt. The process is as tedious as it is dangerous for an individual to attempt, since there may be thousands of key entries to examine for viral corruption.

Several software companies have been working on the problem and have come up with various software solutions, each having its own strengths and capabilities. Sometimes the search for the right software to meet your needs can be as complicated as researching the viruses themselves.

Website that reviews and compares registry cleaning software is Answer Registry Reviews,  The site offers relevant articles on the Windows Registry and compares various registry cleaning software products.

The website even offers links to directly download and purchase products such as RegCure, Registry Mechanic and Registry Easy (among others) online. If your Windows system is running slowly or you suspect a virus, Answer Registry Reviews should be the first stop for information on what might be causing the problem and to download a product that would meet your needs to correct it.

1. What is the Windows Registry?

The Windows operating system has a database where all the information necessary to the proper functioning of the computer is stored – this database is called ‘the registry’.

It stores information about everything from hardware configurations, application data, drivers, user settings, and virtually any other system process. That is why a properly functioning registry is integral to a smooth running PC.

For more info on how to access and edit the registry with your version of Windows (95, 98/ME, 2000, XP and Vista), read this article.

2. Why is my PC running much slower than it used to?

There are a number things that can cause a computer to become slower over time, including:

a) Too many programs launching automatically on startup draining memory & CPU resources. When you install new software unselect, if you can, the option to run automatically on start-up.

b) Adware/Spyware and viruses can causes all sorts of issues with your computer, including a reduction in performance. Scan your computer with a good anti-virus and anti-malware program on a regular basis, and make sure the software is updated frequently.

c) A corrupted or overloaded registry.

d) Damaged hardware components or improper functioning/installation of those components.

RegistryResource.com’s main focus is reason c) – identifying and fixing Windows registry-related problems.

3. How can I be sure my Registry is the problem, and not spyware, etc?

To be certain that the problem lies in the registry, you first need to scan your computer for viruses, adware and spyware with a reputable anti-virus as well as an anti-malware program; such as Norton Anti-virus, AVG, Malware Bytes, AdAware, and so on.

Then you’ll need to run a full registry scan with a renowned registry scanning program, like RegCure.

Consult this article for more information on this.

Or, do a registry scan right now, for free, by clicking here to download RegCure’s free scanning tool.

4. Do I need Registry Repair Software or can I just fix my registry myself?

It is technically possible to edit and fix your registry yourself if you are a well-experienced computer technician, and have a perfect understanding of the complex and intricate systems involved in the Windows operating system. If that’s the case, you can consult this article for some basic information on how to do this.

But to be clear, this should only be attempted if you have been trained to do this and you are absolutely certain you are capable of editing your registry keys, drivers and associated files.

Even the slightest alteration to your registry, if not done properly, can render your PC completely unable to function, and could potentially result in a loss of all your files.

These untrained people are usually left with no other option but to fully re-install the operating system.

If you would prefer to steer clear of these risks, registry cleaning software like RegCure safely scan, identify and repair faulty registry entries for you.

5. What’s the easiest way to repair my computer’s registry?

As indicated above, the quickest, simplest and safest way to fix or clean up & optimize your registry is to use a reputable registry cleaning program. For detailed reviews and comparisons of the leading registry repair programs, click here.

6. Will registry repair programs fix my PC once and for all?

Registry cleaning software will fix whatever registry-related issues are currently affecting your computer. However, registry malfunctioning occurs over time with everyday computer use – i.e. downloading & uploading files, installing & uninstalling programs, changing system settings, installing new drivers, etc.

That’s why it’s important to scan and maintain the integrity of your computer’s registry on an ongoing basis. For this reason, it’s a good idea to use a registry cleaner that has a built-in scheduling feature, like RegCure, to ensure this is done automatically.

7. Which registry cleaning software is the best?

Ultimately, that depends on your needs, some registry cleaners offer features that others don’t. Consult our reviews section for a better idea of what the leading programs on the market have to offer.

We usually recommend RegCure, because we’ve found it to be the most consistent and comprehensive registry repair tool currently available.

What is it Registry? This is the place Oh windows saves all settings of our computer: device attached to him until there any company that created the software that reside there. Because it was so big in the data, many programs write to him at once, which can cause the kind you mention.

Despite all the warnings and head usually bears the instructors Raja various Registry, once you see the breast not so big.

Which reminds me – Warning: Registry is one of the most important elements in the operating system. Berg hit Registry may drag unexpected results. Please consistent steps mentioned in this guide carefully and caution.

Well, now that we remove heart from  the warnings, we can see the breast not so bad. What is the Registry? This tool host  most of our computer’s settings: device company which manufactures and name of the software were silent. Due to its size and the fact that most of the time many of  multiple programs simultaneously facing him, sometimes have to correct problems created manually.

Before going to repair, learn how to make changes in Registry and how to back him.

Understanding Registry

To do we use software that comes with the XP, called Regedit.
1. Press the Start (Start), Run (Run) and enter Regedit

On the left side of the window we see the list of keys Registry is composed of them. Keys in the hierarchy of life: hard times on the key next to the sign “+” will open all of these below. Each key can also be values, which we can see right part of the screen. Each has a name and data stored in it.

If you are prompted to navigate the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \, you will need to press before the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. List of keys that appeared on the Software known sequel.

Backup

1. Regedit software in the left window select the My Computer (My Computer).

2. On the File menu (File) Press Export (Export)

3. The left of the screen that opens click on My Documents (My Documents). In the name field enter the word Backup and date backup.

4. Press Save (Save).
The result is a backup file of your document library.

Restore

If you are not satisfied with the results changes Registry, you can restore it to its previous state.
Follow these steps only if you want to restore:
1. Open the Windows Explorer.
2. Navigate to the My Documents (My Documents).
3. Locate the file called Backup that you created initially.

4. Double click it.
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Now fix the menu to add / remove

1. Press the Start (Start), Run (Run) and enter Regedit.
2. Back up the Registry.
3. Navigate to the key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Uninstall

Each key is below – Uninstall is actually a line on the menu to add / remove. Any one of the keys has a value (on the right side of the window) that contains the name.

4. Find the keys you want to remove and press them with the right button. Select Delete (Delete).

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. 1: Just connect

You can say that we are drowning in a sea of technology: mobile phones, MP3 players, printers, scanners, digital video stills. ‘ll Be glad to know that all the gadgets you can now install our act quickly and with a minimum of bother. Device Stage is a function built-in Windows 7. Here you can see the battery level of your cell phone, synchronize your MP3 player of yours, and adjust the resolution of your monitor. No matter whether your device is wireless or not, Device Stage present wireless networks as well as Bluetooth. To enter the Device Stage to click on the Start menu and select printers in the standards.

. 2: comprehensive look at the folders

Windows 7  takes upon itself the challenge to improve the organization all the folders and files on your computer. The goal is to facilitate the finding files and folders. Function The “rural” is an update to the new folder “My Documents” exists in – XP and Vista. Here you can connect the different folders and view the contents of all of them simultaneously. For example, the folders “My Pictures” and “my shared pictures” are linked together. Symbols allow to see when a folder is linked. You can add additional folders to the library or your local hard drive from another computer connected to your network. If you wish it, you can even link to many libraries in one folder.

. 3: Install and faster

Windows 7 will begin work within 30 minutes or so. The new Windows even update all the drivers running the hardware, you update your system and new standards, all within half an hour only.
Every piece of hardware attached to your computer needs drivers to do the work and function properly. In previous versions of Windows sometimes problems arose due to faulty drivers. Now, with Windows 7, can be deleted from the system in a clean and hardware drivers that makes problems. Windows remains so fresh and clean, no old drivers, plug the system.

. 4: “Quick Start” is a thing of the past

Windows 7 taskbar includes the Start menu improved. Attached to the taskbar software which you use often and used them with one click. Windows Powerbar is located at the bottom of the screen, next to the start menu. Developed wandered computer files more quickly. Organized by “jump lists” where the software and documents you use often, to reduce the clutter and reach you quickly and favorite files, recent files you have opened, or the last file that you used. To open a list of Jump, right-click the icon button which you have chosen. List will show you with the options depending on existing functionality.
Add Internet Explorer to Powerbar you can run the InPrivate function. This prevents you save information related to your browsing, which means no more cookies, temporary Internet files, or records of browsing history.

. 5: Wireless Cellular safer

Nowadays everyone who keeps on holding the portable device USB-based storage. Capacity of these tiny devices recently increased dramatically. However, our reliance memory devices entering the pocket means risk losing valuable information is larger. Sometimes the problem is not so much information lost, but the fear that someone will go to foreign personal information. With BitLocker function to go the new Windows 7, you can defend your removable media with password. Click the right button on the USB device, select BitLocker put the password you selected. Computers with XP or Vista can read protected media like this, but you can not help to keep new information about the device.

. 6: Search simpler faster browsing

Search function in Windows 7 has been improved significantly. Enter some keywords to your system will offer text or images. For example, if you write Windows 7, the smart search engine will offer you to buy her favorite online store.
The new search also found its way to your web browser. Search activity in Internet Explorer, in situation at this site with cool jacket for sale, or the site with the wonderful article on losing weight. All you have to do is register in Internet Explorer the search words such as “jacket” or “losing weight” and he also looks for favorite pages and sites where you lied lately. So you can find again what might be lost.

. 7: Live with Windows 7

Windows 7 combines the best online offline environments. Windows Live Essentials is a software package already installed on your computer. This combination of software and Internet-based services such as pictures, video, blogs and other content. Moreover, the whole package does not cost money. You can even use the software when not connected to the Internet. Windows Live suite is updated frequently and gives you access to post new functions, interesting and useful.

. 8: Every day has a new look

Windows 7 includes many customizable options. Why not become your desktop background to view your slides? Enjoy your new background every time you start your computer, and a picture will be your personal photo collection.
Windows 7 Theme packages includes pictures of many voices. You can change your desktop background, color, windows, sound effects Screensaver.

. 9: pictures, music, video – always available

Let’s say you are sitting at the airport with your computer handbook. Suddenly you remember you left the computer in his document you need from your trip. Previous occasions, this would cause you slight panic attack, but if your computer is running and connected to the Internet, you can use Windows 7 to get to your files. With new functions “libraries” and Homegroup, you can access the information stored on another computer by logging in to access the document itself over the network.
Once your PC using the Homegroup you can play almost anything! No matter where you are, you can listen to music or watch videos from your computer using the connection created.
During the human history sense of touch was an integral part of how we function. Now we can control our computers with touch. Windows 7 supports touch screen technology have become increasingly popular. So if you have one screen, you can navigate using the tips of your fingers instead of using the mouse. In addition, you can use more than one finger simultaneously for enhanced input.