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Name: HIT
Hi,
If i visit a site that offers registry tweaks, they usually say something like 'add this key here'. What i want to know is how come they know what this key is supposed to be called? It obviously isn't made up as the reg would need to understand it and therefore it must have a reference to it somewhere else. Is there a list of all possible keys for the registry somewhere? If so, where is this magical list? If not, how do people find these tweaks and whats the point in them existing if no one knows they are there?
Any help on this would be great. Thanks.
H.I.T
A quick google search of "windows registry keys" yielded the following link to microsoft's web site
Go there and start reading. When you're done all that, go google what I did and continue reading.
Man, that google is just simply AMAZING! You should try it some time................
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Hmmm sarcasm...the lowest form of wit!!
I tried google, as i do for everything and that website you linked me to doesn't explain what i wanna know!
H.I.T
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CurtR's answer may have been flippant but it was also accurate. Google can steer you in the right direction.
The simple answer is training. Just like any other endeavor learning the necessary skills is the key to working with the registry.
I don't claim to have those skills but if I wanted them, I would start with Google to steer me in the right direction. Below is one link from Google.
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HIT, if you expect to find something that says some thing like 'This key does this', you probably won't. The Registry is pretty complicated and like Othehill suggested, it takes training and a whole lot of experience to be able to tweak the Registry.
Most people (including myself) depend on sites like Kelly's Korner.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_...
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in other words, no, there's no "magic list" with every possible registry entry. it's more like any other computer language, and you put basic known pieces together in new ways to produce new results.
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"Is there a list of all possible keys for the registry somewhere?" No. There is no way all Registry keys/values can be determined for the simple reason that ALL software installs, tweaks to the system create or change entries.
"What i want to know is how come they know what this key is supposed to be called?" Like OTH said: training. And, I'll add, experience, curiosity, and reading.
"So won’t you give this man his wings
What a shame
To have to beg you to see
We’re not all the same
What a shame" - Shinedown
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There are certain registry keys which are identical for given operating systems, and even some which have remained unchanged from W95 to Vista. There are also many keys which are standard for particular programs.
It is only the above which these tweaks tackle. There is no list of "all possible keys" because so many vary with your own particular software mix and setup.
some other bloke...
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Okay i think we have a misunderstanding, probably due to me not explaining the question very well!
I am aware that the registry setup is unique to the computer it is on, but i was trying to refer to just Windows tweaks....settings referring to Windows only!
For example, you can hide drives on you system by adding a key and then giving it a particular value...now i know that this relates to Windows and the key is already known to Windows (otherwise it wouldn't recognise it). Joe Bloggs hasn't just come along and said "right, i want to call this key nodrives, and set the value to one to make this key active". The computer has to know the key name already...the name nodrives is already defined somewhere and so Windows recognises it when it is added to the registry!
That is all i meant, simple tweaks....i appreciate the complexity of the Windows Registry and have read books, researched on the net and so on...i'm not lazy, i'm curious and love to learn, but i couldn't find anything relating to this - hence the reason i'm asking, after all this IS what this forum is for isn't it?!?!
H.I.T
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How can i do if i don't know how to?!?!?
I can only add keys to the registry if i'm told what to type via a book or the net or whatever...but how do they know?
Does anyone understand what i'm getting at yet??? I just wanna know how the Windows Registry identifies and understands what i'm adding!
H.I.T
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I think this post has got itself into a loop rather. The registry only understands the keys you are entering because it has been programed to do so. A number of the lesser known keys have trickled out of MS over the years.
Only an organisation like MS would have a chance of knowing the exact information you are requesting, partly because it encompasses a gigantic amount of copyright information. They have therefore not published anything more than usage guides and fixes. Bear in mind too, that the registry which appears when you load an OS also varies considerable with the hardware mix (as well as software).
It is also probably true to say that some areas of the registry have been merged through the years from OS to OS and accepted by even MS programers (ie, if they work then there is no need to re-invent the wheel or even challenge "how" they work).
To my knowledge, a complete copy of the registry (or even a list of "key" functions) has never been published for any OS, partly for the reasons given, so nobody on here or any other forum will be able to point you to it. Having learned the concepts you then have to get to know whatever else you need.
You are stuck with the same situation as everyone else. Get to know the registry as thoroughly as possible then keep a database of known fixes, keys and other useful information.
some other bloke...
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Thank you Derek, you have answered my question!
Your time on this was much appreciated and i am now a little wiser.
I am of course careful in the Registry and only alter (or add) what i know will work - even though i do take a backup before editing any keys in the reg. I study papers, books and research on the net for everything and anything i want to know (not only computers i might add). I am very very used to doing this but of course this subject cannot be found anywhere...or at least explained as well as you just have.
Thanks again.
H.I.T
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OtheHill
Thx, but many times I've seen answers you have given on these forums that I envy. We all just "do our thing" I guess.
some other bloke...
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