How To Run The Windows Registry Editor Program

If you are facing some trouble with your Windows system and need to troubleshoot it, Windows tools or hardware tools are typically sufficient to cater your needs. However, if you wish to indulge yourself in deeper aspects of the system you can check up on the registry editor. This Registry editor program is known by the filename regedit.

To run the Registry Editor use the following instructions:

• Summon your RUN dialog box by pressing the Windows + R keys in your keyboard.
• Type regedit in the command prompt and press Enter.
• If your system is powered by Windows 7 or Windows Vista, then click on Yes or type in your administrator’s password. The Registry editor window will open up on your screen.
• The registry editor is very similar in function like Windows Explorer, which is used to navigate to folders in the system. Open a key or click on the triangle symbol next to it, so that the key’s contents are made visible on screen. Values will appear on the right side of the window.

In your Registry Editor window in its status bar, a pathname will appear. This helps you understand which key you have selected.

• Once you have finished, exit from the registry editor window.
• There is an easier and simpler way to run the registry editor program. Click on the Start button in your system’s taskbar and open the Start menu. In the Search box of your Start menu, type in regedit. The search result will yield a Registry editor icon. Click on this icon that appears in the menu. The problem with this method is that it might not work on every computer.
• You can open up the registry editor to explore more options about the system. But be careful not to make any changes in the registry, especially if you are not familiar with the registry entries. Any unwanted changes could spell disaster for your system. The registry should be handled with utmost care and caution, because even a single change may end up crashing your system altogether.
• Use the registry editor only if required, like when you have been directed by documentation or technical support team.
• In earlier versions, the program regedit32 was used to edit the registry. Though this program is not used anymore, it is still existing in Windows OSs. However, it only opens up the regular Registry Editor program.

If you have accidentally made some changes in the registry and do not know how to fix it, check up with the Windows Support team. The Windows support team can give guidelines about fixing the issue.