When introduced with Windows 3.1, the Windows Registry primarily stored configuration information for COM-based components. For example, when a program is installed, a new subkey containing settings such as a program's location, its version, and how to start the program, are all added to the Windows Registry. In other words, the registry or Windows Registry contains information, settings, options, and other values for programs and hardware installed on all versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems. The registry also allows access to counters for profiling system performance.

The kernel, device drivers, services, Security Accounts Manager, and user interfaces can all use the registry. The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores low-level settings for the Microsoft Windows operating system and for applications that opt to use the registry. com /en-us /windows /desktop /SysInfo /registry IA-32, x86-64 and ARM (and historically DEC Alpha, Itanium, MIPS, and PowerPC)ĭocs.

Registry Editor, the user interface for the registry, in Windows 11Īpril 6, 1992 31 years ago ( ) with Windows 3.1

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