Windows registry key listing and values

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ozegirl

Where can I find a listing of the windows registry keys, where each one is
given a description of what it pertains to, and what the default values
should be? I have searched this site by keyword and looked through the
knowledge base, library, etc including Technet but there only seems to be
reference to some specific keys or specific registry issues. If not on
Microsoft site, is there one elsewhere?
 
ozegirl said:
Where can I find a listing of the windows registry keys, where each one is
given a description of what it pertains to, and what the default values
should be? I have searched this site by keyword and looked through the
knowledge base, library, etc including Technet but there only seems to be
reference to some specific keys or specific registry issues. If not on
Microsoft site, is there one elsewhere?
Click to expand...

The Wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_registry would be
a good starting point for a functional description of the registry. The
numerous references quoted in the article will give you further details.
However, there is no comprehensive registry "dictionary". There are several
reasons for this:
- Many keys are part of the proprietary design of Windows and its installed
applications.
- Some keys relate to copyright-protected product codes.
- Some keys are released by Microsoft to software houses under NDAs
(Non-Disclosure Agreements).
- Some keys refer to the internal operation of third-party hardware devices.
They must not be modified by the end user.
- New keys are created all the time, e.g. by Automatic Updates, virus
scanners and firewalls.
 
Thanks,

Just went to the link and had a quick squiz. Whilst not what I was really
after, it looks like it will be quite useful and will be a good starting
point as you said.

I understand some of the reasons you listed (and even anticipated that
answer) - and of course every registry is different, according to the third
party software etc, but I was just after as you put it a "dictionary" of the
very basic windows entries - a "ready reckoner"

eg perhaps a registry key gets corrupted or changed/deleted by a virus and
you want to set it back to the default - eg you are unable to change your
background because of a key change.

Yes I know it's not as simple as that, sometimes a few keys work in
conjunction with each other, and yes, I know you don't fix viruses just by
changing registry keys - but I'm just using that as an example. Sometimes for
some inexplicable reason a button might be greyed out on a dialogue box that
ought not to be greyed out, and a simple change in a registry key can fix
that.

So is there nowhere that has a listing of the windows basic registry keys? I
would have thought there would be some sort of reference in Technet ??
 
ozegirl said:
Thanks,

Just went to the link and had a quick squiz. Whilst not what I was really
after, it looks like it will be quite useful and will be a good starting
point as you said.

I understand some of the reasons you listed (and even anticipated that
answer) - and of course every registry is different, according to the
third
party software etc, but I was just after as you put it a "dictionary" of
the
very basic windows entries - a "ready reckoner"

eg perhaps a registry key gets corrupted or changed/deleted by a virus and
you want to set it back to the default - eg you are unable to change your
background because of a key change.

Yes I know it's not as simple as that, sometimes a few keys work in
conjunction with each other, and yes, I know you don't fix viruses just by
changing registry keys - but I'm just using that as an example. Sometimes
for
some inexplicable reason a button might be greyed out on a dialogue box
that
ought not to be greyed out, and a simple change in a registry key can fix
that.

So is there nowhere that has a listing of the windows basic registry keys?
I
would have thought there would be some sort of reference in Technet ??
Click to expand...

You write
eg perhaps a registry key gets corrupted or changed/deleted by a virus and
you want to set it back to the default
Click to expand...
While this sounds like a nice technique, it ignores an huge issue: Which key
is it that got corrupted? Each hardware manufacturer uses his own keys. Few
if any are ever published and many can assume different values, depending on
the current configuration. Have a look at a car workshop manual. It
describes the procedures to disassemble/reassemble what's under the bonnet.
To most people it's incomprehensible, yet it's child's play compared to the
registry. To see what I mean, examine the keys under this location. They
describe the network adapter(s) installed on your machine. Some have more
than 50 values!
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002bE10318}\.

This is why Windows XP gives you the System Restore function: If something
worked yesterday and doesn't work today then System Restore will roll back
the machine. This tool is readily accessible to the layman. Poking around in
the registry is for experts.
 
Actually, using the example you gave of the network entry in the Control
set, at least you know that it is a network adapter entry - that's really
what I want to learn - the basics. I searched for that entry and I came up
with this article on Microsoft;

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/250447

It's anything like that I'm after - know of any in particular for win Xp as
this refers to earlier versions?
 
ozegirl said:
Yeah, I know!

But I'm not necessarily talking about third party programs, just the core
windows basics eg you lose your log off button - there is an entry you can
use to put it back (found this out when cleaning up a virus recently)

Problem with system restore is that it doesn't always work - it can get
corrupted by a virus too. Yes I know there are registry back up utilities
too, and as you say registry muddling is for experts - but that's just it!
I
want to LEARN so I am an expert. I'm currently doing an online course in
malware removal and I need to learn more about the registry so I can
understand what some of the attacks by viruses do and how they can be
fixed.
I do already have some knowledge and experience in repairing damage done
by
viruses and I have often done registry fixes - some under guidance, some I
have sorted out myself after research of individual entries. However I'm
at
the stage now where I want to get a deeper understanding of some of the
core
windows components. I'll read the Wiki article complete with all links. is
there anything else useful online you can recommend? Thanks
Click to expand...

I don't know any other publications but I'm sure the experts in the two
registry-dedicated newsgroups (NT & Win2000) could tell you more.
 
OK, thanks!

Pegasus (MVP) said:
I don't know any other publications but I'm sure the experts in the two
registry-dedicated newsgroups (NT & Win2000) could tell you more.
Click to expand...
 
Pegasus said:
The Wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_registry would be
a good starting point for a functional description of the registry. The
numerous references quoted in the article will give you further details.
However, there is no comprehensive registry "dictionary". There are several
reasons for this:
- Many keys are part of the proprietary design of Windows and its installed
applications.
- Some keys relate to copyright-protected product codes.
- Some keys are released by Microsoft to software houses under NDAs
(Non-Disclosure Agreements).
- Some keys refer to the internal operation of third-party hardware devices.
They must not be modified by the end user.
- New keys are created all the time, e.g. by Automatic Updates, virus
scanners and firewalls.
Click to expand...
I've had the same problem in the past.
You have an OS issue.
You post that issue on the web.
Somebody pops up with a solution,
"You create a new registry key with this value..."
Thanks, how do you find out these things?
You don't!! You just have to know...
Not very comforting.
 
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