Windows XP Registry Editing Question

[Nightbreaker]

Is there anyway to edit a Windows XP registry while it's not actually
being used, say the registry files are located in a temporary
directory? Apparently the regedt32.exe program that comes with
Windows XP only works on the registry that is currently being used in
the C:\Windows\System32\Config directory. If a copy of the registry
files (hive) are copied to a temporary directory is there anyway (or
some program) to edit the registry that's located in the temporary
directory?

Nightbreaker

 

[Tim Slattery]

Is there anyway to edit a Windows XP registry while it's not actually
being used, say the registry files are located in a temporary
directory?

No. It's in a proprietary format, the only way to edit it is to use
Microsoft's software.

 

[3c273]

Open the help file for regedit and look for "Load or unload registry hive"
under "How to...".
Louis

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

No. It's in a proprietary format, the only way to edit it is to use
Microsoft's software.

There is third-party registry editing software available. Whether any of it
would work with a copy in a temporary directory, I don't know. Besides, as I
pointed out when he asked this question in a different newsgroup, it would
be pointless, since he wouldn't be able to use theresults.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Is there anyway to edit a Windows XP registry while it's not actually
being used, say the registry files are located in a temporary
directory? Apparently the regedt32.exe program that comes with
Windows XP only works on the registry that is currently being used in
the C:\Windows\System32\Config directory. If a copy of the registry
files (hive) are copied to a temporary directory is there anyway (or
some program) to edit the registry that's located in the temporary
directory?

Nightbreaker

Yes, there is. See www.dougknox.com, Win XP Tips, Advanced Registry
Editing. While focused on the User portion of the Registry, its easily
adapted to the Machine portions, as well.


--

Bruce Chambers

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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Nightbreaker]

No. It's in a proprietary format, the only way to edit it is to use
Microsoft's software.

Would you be so kind as to enlighten me as to which Microsoft software
(other than regedt32.exe) will allow me to do what I previously
described?

 

[Nightbreaker]

There is third-party registry editing software available. Whether any of it
would work with a copy in a temporary directory, I don't know. Besides, as I
pointed out when he asked this question in a different newsgroup, it would
be pointless, since he wouldn't be able to use theresults.

Why wouldn't I be able to use the results? Is there any reason why I
can't boot up my computer using my old Windows 98 Boot floppy and copy
the modified Windows XP registry hive from the temporary directory to
the C:\Windows\System32\Config directory over writing the bad registry
hive? The hard drive is FAT32.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

Would you be so kind as to enlighten me as to which Microsoft software
(other than regedt32.exe) will allow me to do what I previously
described?

regedit.exe
File | Import
You want to import a hive.
Look also in regedit's Help.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Why wouldn't I be able to use the results? Is there any reason why I
can't boot up my computer using my old Windows 98 Boot floppy and copy
the modified Windows XP registry hive from the temporary directory to
the C:\Windows\System32\Config directory over writing the bad registry
hive? The hard drive is FAT32.

Yes, I suppose you could do that. I meant that you couldn't use them
directly within Windows XP. But what you suggest does seem like a fairly
complicated multi-step process.

 

[Nightbreaker]

Open the help file for regedit and look for "Load or unload registry hive"
under "How to...".
Louis

Thanks for the tip, I think this is exactly what I was looking for!

 

[Nightbreaker]

Yes, there is. See www.dougknox.com, Win XP Tips, Advanced Registry
Editing. While focused on the User portion of the Registry, its easily
adapted to the Machine portions, as well.

Thanks for the tip. I checked the link and info on it and this should
work for me.

 

[3c273]

Thanks for the tip, I think this is exactly what I was looking for!

Don't forget to "Unload hive" when you are done.
Louis