Registry+Sections+definitions

Registry Sections definitions:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ‐ Changes made in this section apply on a machine wide basis, and affect all users, unless it is specifically over‐ridden by a change in HKEY_CURRENT_USER, in some cases. Current user settings cannot always over‐ride Local Machine settings.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER ‐ This in this section of the Registry affects the currently logged on user, just as the name implies. Changes made here will only affect the active logged on user. Some settings may over‐ride the LOCAL_MACHINE settings, and others will not.

HKEY_USERS\.Default ‐ This in this section of the registry is used to determine how the computer behaves (Screen Saver and etc.) when no user is logged on to the computer.


 * Note:‐**

New User Profile ‐ If the computer is not part of a domain, the local default profile is copied from the %Systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\Default User folder to a subfolder on the local computer with a username under %Systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\Local User Profile. ‐ Created the first time that a user logs on to a computer, the local user profile is stored on a computerʹs local hard disk. Any changes made to the local user profile are specific to the computer on which the changes are made.

Roaming User Profile. A copy of the local profile is copied to, and stored on a server share. This profile is downloaded every time that a user logs on to any computer on the network, and any changes made to a roaming user profile are synchronized with the server copy upon logoff.

Mandatory User Profile. A type of profile, that administrators can use to specify particular settings for users. Only system administrators can make changes to mandatory user profiles. Changes made by the user to desktop settings are lost when the user logs off.

Temporary User Profile. A temporary profile is issued any time that an error condition prevents the users profile from being loaded. Temporary profiles are deleted at the end of each session ‐ changes made by the user to their desktop settings and files are lost when the user logs off.

By default, the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE branches can only be changed by an Administrator level user.

This can be changed by adjusting the ʺpermissionsʺ of the branch or subkey in question.

If you use the Regedits:‐

Before you start remember this is dangerous stuff and make a System Restore point before starting Also double check everything that you do before doing it.

Also make a back‐up of the Registry as follows:‐

Click the Start Menu.> Go to Run.

Type in the box ʺRegeditʺ (Without the quotes), > Press Enter.

Click the ʺRegistryʺ (or ʺFileʺ) menu > Click ʺExport Registry File...ʺ

Now be careful to choose an easy to remember location in which to save the file, and an easy to remember name.

At the bottom of that box, under Export Range, there are 2 buttons,

Click the one that says ʺAllʺ, and then click Save.

You will be sorry if you do not take the time to do the above if something goes dreadfully wrong

Below is an illustration of a USER PROFILE Courtesy of Microsoft