Thread: Secrets of Windows XP.

As we talk about the secrets of Windows, try to understand what the system registry. Very simplistic, the term "register" may be understood as a kind of a nervous system Windows. So, like dendrites, axons, and synapses in our body, it connects all the components of the operating system together. To be more specific, the registry is a database containing information on the current settings of Windows, its components, services and services, as well as the parameters of installed applications.

Here is a simple example that will help to understand what is happening to the general registry with a variety of operations related to changes in the system. In addition, we show you how you can, changing keys, you get results similar to, as if we just used the standard Windows to modify its parameters.

To begin to change the desktop wallpaper. To do this, right-clicking on the desktop, the resulting menu pick the "Properties", then in the dialog box, "Internet: screen go to the Desktop, which from the list, select the desired file. For example, install wallpaper "Bubbles". In performing this simple operation will change in the Windows registry keys appropriate places, unmask the path to the selected as a rear background graphic file.

Agree, it would be very interesting to know where and what changes occur as a result of the above transactions. To do so, open the Registry Editor. You can do this by using the "Run" button "Start". This dialog box will appear, the text of which type in the file name, we need launching the Registry Editor - "regedit". As a result, it will open a window broken (like Windows Explorer) for the two panels. On the left there are sections of root registry, in which keys are united on the basis of their functions. Walking on the sections you find that the structure of the roster resembles a tree: root sections drobyas to increasingly specific branch, lead us to the "leaf" - Switches. That they provide information on the current settings.

For example, section [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE] contains information on the hardware configuration and software stipulated in the system, and Section [HKEY_USERS] stores information about users downloaded profiles, including profile, the default (user profile - this is a file containing information about the settings for a particular user such as desktop settings, network connections and the constant parameters applications).

The volume is huge roster. Because find the necessary key, simply moving on its branches, is not an easy task. For this reason, the best option is often the goal is to use search engine. So, if we have identified as desktop backgrounds on a file (in this case "Bubbles. Bmp" in your C: \ Windows), in order to find the registry key, which changes we need to enter the name of the file line of dialogue in the search (caused by pressing combinations [Ctrl] + [F]). As a result of this operation Display information panels will change. Thus, in the left pane, you will see a roster sections: among them is the one which contains the key to the meaning, the specified as a parameter in the search. Name the desired section at the bottom of the editor window appears in the status bar. In the right pane are the keys corresponding to the section roster (we need highlighted cursor). Key names right - meaning assigned to it. Naturally, we should not exclude the case that the keys with the correct data, we can be more than one. Then, to continue the search for the same conditions, press [F3]. The result of these operations will be to identify all registry keys that contain the desired search.

In our case, results can be found around the following.
Section [HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop], the key Wallpaper, the importance of the C: \ Windows \ Bubbles. Bmp. "
Section [HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Desktop \ General] key BackupWallpaper, meaning "% SystemRoot% \ Bubbles. Bmp."
Section [HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Desktop \ General] key Wallpaper, "% of SystemRoot% \ Bubbles. Bmp."
It becomes clear that, succeeding wallpaper for Windows file named "Bubbles. Bmp, keys are also modified accordingly.

Now, try to replace those key is "Bubbles. Bmp" with, say, "Parquet. Bmp." To do this, start the search again on the roster, and each harvested vein, you click the mouse twice for dialog editing its content. After the operation is complete replacement of key importance to all three, close the Registry Editor. Then right click on the desktop and select from the menu item "Update". In the event that everything was done correctly, you will see replaced as Windows wallpaper: instead of the image from the file "Bubbles. Bmp" will be a picture of "Parquet. Bmp."



Thus, it is very easy to verify that the system parameters can be changed by resorting to aid not only the standard Windows tools, but using the Registry Editor. Again, that not all preferences able to modify the operating system, using a built functions. Because many operations simply impossible without the help of Regedit.

Quite interesting, it would be all the same to know what exactly can be done through the system registry options to optimize, for example, Wednesday under their tastes and preferences. In this article we will consider the most useful features in this area. Furthermore, cite a few examples modified operating system without the use of the roster in the hope that they also seem important to simplify the day-to-day work with Windows.