Windows Registry Definition

What is the Windows Registry?

The Windows registry is a central database of information needed to configure your computer system for general settings for Microsoft Windows 32-bit versions, 64-bit versions, and Windows Mobile.

Keeping your registry in a good state of repair and conducting regular maintenance is imperative because the registry contains important data that is used all the time during system operation.

As you continue changing preferences, installing and uninstalling software and hardware, the registry grows and becomes more complex. In addition, the chances of errors and missing, obsolete or corrupt entries increases exponentially.



The registry is a centralised hierarchical database used by various versions of Windows (MS Windows 9x, CE, NT, 2000 XP and Vista) to store computer configuration information. This information is necessary for Windows to run your computer system including all your installed applications and hardware devices.

Not only does the registry save the path and location of these items, it also retains other details which help the processor to locate applications and hardware devices quickly and efficiently thereby reduce decreasing processing time. Records are kept of each and every item present

Registry entries include details on:

Whenever you make any changes in your preferences or settings, installed software or hardware, these changes are stored in the Windows registry. Changes in your registry settings may be made by using the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) provided with Windows.

You should know changing any registry by yourself is too risky, if you don't know anything about computer performence that would be a good indication of don't touch. Here we recommend Registry Booster, a powerful registry repair software, helps you to clean, backup, restore and defrag registry by few clicks.