Every software and hardware configuration is stored in a database called the registry. The
registry contains such things as folder and file property settings, port configuration, application
preferences, and user profiles. A user profile contains a user’s specific configuration
settings such as what applications the user has access to, desktop settings, and the
user’s network configuration. The registry loads into RAM (memory) during the boot process.
Once in memory, the registry is updated continuously by changes made to software,
hardware, and user preferences.
The registry is divided into five subtrees. Subtrees are also sometimes called branches
or hives. The five standard subtrees are as follows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, HKEY-
_USERS, HKEY_CURRENT_USER, HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG, and HKEY_CLASSES_
ROOT. Each of these subtrees has keys and subkeys that contain values related to
hardware and software settings.
lists the five subtrees and their functions.
WIN Table 3: Windows Registry Subtrees
Registry Subtree Subtree Function
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Holds global hardware configuration.
Included in the branch is a list of
hardware components installed in the
computer, the software drivers that handle
each component, and the settings for each
device. This information is not
user-specific.
HKEY_USERS Keeps track of individual users and their
preferences.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER Holds a specific user’s configuration such
as software settings, how the desktop
appears, and what folders the user has
created.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG Holds information about the hardware
profile that is used when the computer
first boots.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Holds file associations and file links. The
information held here is what allows the
correct application to start when you
double-click on a filename in Explorer or
My Computer (provided the file extension
is registered).
The registry can contain other subtrees that are user-defined or system-defined depending
on what hardware or software is installed in the computer.

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