

This is a folder you don’t want to touch. These are called file associations.Īs the name suggests, this folder (or hive) stores the program settings for your username. The values in this folder (or hive) tell your computer which program to use to open certain file types.

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These are the five hives of the Windows registry: Values are the items where settings can be changed. Each hive contains a bunch of important keys and values.

The five top-level keys (that’s the name for folders in the registry) are also called hives. The Windows registry is structured exactly like the files and folders system you’re familiar with.
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Get AVG TuneUp if you think you have problems with your registry, or simply want to speed up and clean up your PC or remove temporary files. If you find your PC getting slower over time, or if you want to speed up your boot time, using a PC cleaner tool to clean up the registry might do the trick. While you shouldn’t mess around with the Windows registry on your own, most PC optimization tools are designed to stick to the parts of the registry that can be safely changed. And though these files may take up space unnecessarily, because the registry significantly impacts device performance, you shouldn’t edit settings in your Windows registry unless you know what you’re doing. The registry might contain leftover files from programs you don’t use anymore. The Windows registry is used to manage and edit settings related to user preferences and system configuration. If you need help removing malware from your computer, don’t try fiddling with settings in your registry - use a trusted malware and virus removal tool instead. Don’t change anything in the registry unless you know what you’re doing. While simply opening and looking at the registry won’t cause any problems, editing the registry should be left strictly to the experts. This is what the Windows registry looks like:
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And because the Windows registry is an essential part of Windows, you don’t need to download or install it. Another way to access the registry is by typing cmd into the Windows search bar to open Command Prompt and then typing regedit and hitting Enter.īoth of those options apply to every Windows version, from Windows 95 on. The easiest way to access the Windows registry is by typing regedit into the Windows search bar and then clicking Yes to open the Registry Editor tool. But if your computer is crashing frequently, or if you’re experiencing other errors, a strong registry cleaning app can help you fix problems with your Windows registry automatically. Because the registry underpins critical computer settings, we don’t recommend editing any settings unless you have advanced technical expertise. Your Windows registry contains important configuration information for your whole PC.
