MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-270): Installing ...

Lesson 2: Editing the Registry
4-15
Windows XP Professional stores hardware and software settings centrally in a hierarchical
database called the Registry, which replaces many of the .ini, .sys, and .com configuration
files used in earlier versions of Windows. The Registry controls the Windows
XP Professional operating system by providing the appropriate initialization information
to boot Windows XP Professional, to start applications, and to load components
such as device drivers and network protocols.
Most users of Windows XP Professional never need to access the Registry. However,
management of the Registry is an important part of the system administrator’s job, and
includes viewing, editing, backing up, and restoring the Registry. You use Registry Editor
to view and change the Registry configuration.
After this lesson, you will be able to
■ Identify the purpose of the Registry.
■ Define the hierarchical structure of the Registry.
■ View and edit the Registry by using Registry Editor.
Estimated lesson time: 40 minutes
What Is the Registry?
The Registry is a hierarchical database that contains a variety of different types of data,
including descriptions of the following:
■ The hardware installed on the computer, including the central processing unit
(CPU), bus type, pointing device or mouse, and keyboard.
■ Installed device drivers.
■ Installed applications.
■ Installed network protocols.
Lesson 2 Editing the Registry
■ Network adapter card settings. Examples include the interrupt request (IRQ) number,
memory base address, I/O port base address, I/O channel ready, and transceiver
type.
The Registry structure provides a secure set of records. The data in the Registry is read,
updated, or modified by many of the Windows XP Professional components. Table 4-6
describes some of the components that access and store data in the Registry.