How to create a Registry Key in Windows 11/10

The Windows Registry is a collection of settings that Windows and applications can use. It is a directory which stores settings and options for the operating system for Microsoft Windows. Information technology contains data and settings for all the hardware, operating system software, most non-operating organisation software, users, preferences of the PC, etc.

The Registry consists of the following 5 Root Keys. Root Keys incorporate SubKeys. Subkeys may contain subkeys of their ain too and comprise at to the lowest degree one value, called its Default Value. A key with all its subkeys and values is called a Hive.

Each fundamental has i of the Data Types – data types:

REG_SZ, REG_BINARY,
REG_DWORD,
REG_QWORD,
REG_MULTI_SZ or
REG_EXPAND_SZ.

In this post, nosotros volition show you how to create a Registry Central in Windows x.

Create New Registry Key

Earlier y'all brainstorm, it is ever a good idea to either dorsum up the Registry or create a System Restore Point.

The Windows Registry is complex past compages and built such that general consumers won't understand. It is also appropriate that you know the nuts and do not alter it unless you know what y'all are doing.

The hierarchy of Windows Registry

Registry Hierarchy

To edit the Registry, we utilise the built-in Registry Editor or regedit. It displays a tree-like navigation construction. The topmost is your estimator, followed by a list of folders, and subfolders. These folders are called KEYS, and there are five fixed set up of folders under the Calculator.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT: Contains file extension association data which helps the computer sympathize what to exercise with a task when asked.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER: It contains configuration information for Windows and software for the current user.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE: It stores the configuration for the software installed on the computer, and likewise for the Windows Os
HKEY_USERS: Here y'all can observe a user-specific configuration for all users on that computer.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG:Its a pointer to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

These are the principal keys as you cannot create a NEW Central under Computer – but you tin generate new keys under any of these master keys.

How to create a Registry Key in Windows 11/ten

What Makes a Registry Key

one] Using Registry Editor

Creating a Registry Key is piece of cake. Correct-click on whatever folder or white infinite and choose New. You lot can create a Cardinal, String Value, Binary Value, DWORD Value (32-fleck), QWORD value (64-fleck), Multi-String Value or Expandable String Value. This method is useful when y'all program to perform a modest change to fix a problem on your calculator. It could be related to an application or on the OS level.

To edit an existing value, double-click on it to launch the editor.

To delete a central, right-click on it and select Delete.
Yous likewise have the option to Rename, Export, Copy, and set Permissions.

2] Using the Control Line

Command Line tool to edit Registry

Yous can as well utilize Control Line to manipulate registry keys along with tips, features and safety methods.

3] Use Notepad to create REG files

Correct-click on any of the existing keys, and consign information technology. Open that file in notepad, and it will assistance yous understand how you can edit a key and its values. It is useful when y'all want to perform bulk editing, with fill-in in place.

Edit Registry file in Notepad

Notation the version proclamation, followed past a blank line, then the path followed by remainder in quotes, and a blank line again. Once the edit is consummate, you can right-click, and choose to merge the file into the registry hive.

4] Third-Party Tools

If you find the default registry editor complex, y'all tin can use tools similarRegCool, Registrar Registry Director Lite, and Registry Commander. They offer features like Undo, Redo, permission management, tabbed window, import, consign, favorites and then on.

3] Use Programming

If you are an application developer, you should use programming to manage your awarding settings in the registry. Here is an example, and information technology will vary depending on the language you use to develop the awarding.

RegistryKey primal = Registry.LocalMachine.CreateSubKey(@"Arrangement\CurrentControlSet\services\eventlog\MyApplication\MyService"); key.Close();

Now that yous know how to do it, nosotros also recommend yous to read what each of these means. Information technology's essential, and will only help you lot to make sure the changes you make are correct.

What makes a Registry Key?

If you imagine "Key" as a folder, the rest of them are different types of file types that store various kinds of values. So if you lot build an application, you tin take a main folder, and then subfolders to carve up ane set from another. Here is a scrap about each of them:

DWORD & QWORD: Double Give-and-take can store a 32-bit unit of information, while QWORD tin store 64-bit of data.

DWORD and Regular String in Registry

String Value (REG_SZ):It can store either a Unicode or an ANSI string, and contains a naught at the terminate.

Multi-String value:When you want to store multiple numbers of Cord Value, yous tin apply this. Even so, make sure to terminate it past an empty cord (\0). Here is a simple instance:

String1\0String2\0String3\0LastString\0\0

Note "\0" at the end marks the end of the offset string, and the last \0 marks the terminate of the multi-cord.

create a Registry Key in Windows

Expandable String Value:You can utilise this for Environment Variables using Unicode or ANSI string. The advantage here is that yous can expand it different String and Multi-String value.

Binary Value:The simplest of all – it contains 0 and one.

We hope that you notice this post useful.

create a registry key