regedit

Regedit, short for Registry Editor, is a utility in Microsoft Windows that provides a graphical interface for viewing and editing the Windows Registry. The registry is a hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and options for the operating system and installed applications. Regedit allows users to navigate registry hives, such as HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, HKEY_CURRENT_USER, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, HKEY_USERS, and HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG, to inspect and modify keys and values.

Users can create, modify, or delete registry keys and values, search within the registry, and import or export keys using .reg files. Changes can affect boot behavior, software configuration, or user experience, and are typically used by system administrators, advanced users, or developers for troubleshooting and customization.

Regedit is started by running regedit.exe from the Windows system folder or via the Run dialog, and may require administrative privileges to modify protected areas of the registry. Some keys require elevated permissions, and incorrect edits can destabilize the system or render it unbootable. It is recommended to back up registry sections or create a system restore point before making changes, and to apply changes with caution.

On 64-bit Windows, the registry includes separate views for 32-bit and 64-bit applications, and Regedit can reflect these distinctions when appropriate. Regedit is a standard Windows tool and is not available on non-Windows platforms; third-party registry editors exist but carry similar cautions.