Create and Edit a Registry File

Create A New Registry File

A registry file is a simple text file that is renamed to .reg extension. When the file is properly configured, you can simply click it and make changes to your Windows registry. Here is an example on how to create a new registry file.

First, open notepad and type in the following syntax:

Save the text tile to your computer then right click on it and rename it with a .reg extension. Now when you double-click this file, it will make changes to the registry.

Here is another example that will allow you to automatically start DNS Service. Create a .reg file with the following syntax:

Note: To manually start the service, change the data value to 00000003. To disable it, change the data value to 00000004.

How To Edit The Registry

With the Registry Editor, you can make changes to your current registry file. Here is an example that allows you to change the homepage of your browser (this is especially useful in case malware has hijacked your browser's homepage).

First, open the Registry Editor by typing in Regedit in the Cortana search bar and agreeing to the UAC dialog box (or use the Windows key + R key method). Click the + sign next to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER, then click on Software à Microsoft à Internet Explorer.

Next, right click on Main and choose Export then save the file to your computer. Finally, right click on the file, choose "open with" and select Notepad.

When you open the file, it will look like this:

The first line "Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00" tells the OS that this file is a registry file. The second portion is the configuration details, which tell the OS what to add and change in the registry.

To change the homepage to a specific website, such as Microsoft, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER --> Software --> Microsoft --> Internet Explorer --> Main. Check for the Start Page option on the right side pane then double click on Start Page. Under Value Data, type the name of the website (www.microsoft.com) and click Ok.

If you mess anything up while making this change, simply double click the exported file to reset the changes you made.