Whatever version of Windows you’re using--from Vista up to Windows 8.1--the registry is at the heart of your desktop experience. Software installs and compatibility, hardware operation and more are managed by a complex database of codes and numbers. When something goes wrong it can seem impossible to diagnose and repair the problem, and harder still to prevent a recurrence or make the subtle changes and tweaks required to fix the problem. In this book we’ll take you inside the workings of the Registry, and teach you how to repair, modify and clean it to keep your PCs running smoothly.

1) How to navigate the architecture of the Windows Registry

2) How to troubleshoot faulty and corrupt Registry items

3) How to edit and work with the Registry files of other users on a PC

4) What tools and utilities can help you work with and repair the Registry

5) How to secure the registry on a Windows PC

6) What Registry tweaks and hacks can make using your Windows PC a better experience

Windows power users, system administrators, help desk personnel, people working with Windows in a BYOD environment.

Chapter Goal: A deep dive into the structure and architecture of the registry, including its different key types, file structure and hosting.

• What is the Windows Registry?
• Windows Registry files
• The Registry Structure in Depth
• Registry Keys in Depth
  

Chapter Goal: Teaching people about the various tools available to help them work with the Registry in any version of Windows

• Windows Regedit
• ScanReg
• Process Monitor
• CCleaner
• Additional third-party Registry tools
• Comparing before and after Registries
  

Chapter Goal: Teaching the reader how to diagnose and repair issues with a corrupt registry on a PC

• Troubleshooting fundamentals
• Finding corruptions within the Registry
  

Chapter Goal: Teaching people how they can perform advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting including working on other people’s Registry files

• Editing other users’ Registry files
  • Advanced diagnosis of the Windows Registry
  • Advanced key repair and replacement
    
  
  

Chapter Goal: Teaching people how to ensure the registries on their PCs are safe from malware attack and direct interference

• Understanding Registry security on your PC
• Securing the Registry with the Windows security tools
• Securing the Registry with encryption
• Managing and maintaining strong password enforcement for system administrators
  

Chapter Goal: Bonus material to help IT pros harness the full power and potential of the registry for enhancing the user and productivity experience, while also providing examples readers can use to practice Registry editing

• Common Registry Hacks
• Tweaking the Registry to improve the PC experience
• Other common Registry changes and why you would make them