Windows+Registry+Explanation+of+history

Windows Registry Explanation of history

We bandy the name Windows Registry about with gay abandon, but do you know it’s origins?

Commencing with Windows 95 Windows operating system has been using a centralized hierarchical database to store system settings, hardware configurations and user preferences.

The database was named the Windows Registry, or The Registry.

When any new hardware is installed in the computer or a user changes settings, such as the desktop background, etc. or new software is installed; this information is stored in the Registry.

The operating system continually references this information during its operation.

You may begin to understand the Registry. However, modifying it incorrectly can cause mayhem.

It the Registry is a key component of the Windows operating system. There is no question of the fact that if the registry is not there or is corrupt, Windows will not run.

Every time a new piece of hardware or software is installed in Windows, it stores its configuration into the Registry.

Windows will retrieve that information in the future, for example, when it is booting up.

When Windows starts, it reads the configuration in the Registry and subsequently knows which drivers need to be loaded, which settings need to be applied and/or what resources should be allocated for the equipment to work.

Apart from storing the operating system settings, the Registry it also stores the Users preferences and application settings.

This obviously includes your preferred Font, Desktop layout, locations of files, etc.

Sadly, this is where the sick people endeavour to lodge their Viruses, Spyware and all other types of Malware in order to corrupt and damage the Registry.

The motto is: - have a recent Backup of your Registry always on hand. 