What Is a Registry Key?

A registry key can be thought of as being a bit like a file folder, but it exists only in the Windows Registry. Registry keys contain registry values, just like folders contain files. Registry keys can also contain other registry keys, which are sometimes referred to as subkeys.

Structure of the Windows Registry

The Windows Registry is structured in a hierarchy, with the topmost registry keys referred to as registry hives. These have special rules attached to them, but they're registry keys in every other sense.

The term "registry entry" can refer to any individual part of the Windows Registry (like a hive or value), but usually, it's synonymous with a registry key.

Items in the registry are structured in this way:

KEY(HIVE)\SUBKEY\SUBKEY\...\...

Let's look at a specific example from Registry Editor to help explain how registry keys work:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft

As you can see, the registry path shown above is divided into three sections, each separated by a backslash:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
• SOFTWARE
• Microsoft

Each section represents a single registry key, with the right-most one nested under the one prior, and so on. Thinking about it another way: Each key is under the one to the left, just like a path on your computer works, like C:\Windows\System32\Boot.

The first registry key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, is at the top of the path and is a registry hive. Nested under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE is the SOFTWARE registry key. The Microsoft key is yet another registry key nested under SOFTWARE.

Registry keys can be nested quite deeply. Here's an example of one five levels deep that you'll find in any Windows computer's registry under the HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG hive:

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers

You can change how Windows functions on some very fundamental levels by adding, changing, and deleting registry keys. However, you must take great care when tinkering with the registry, because you can cause serious problems in your computer that could result in a loss of all data.

Backing Up and Restoring Registry Keys

It's wise to back up your registry before making any changes in it. With a copy of the keys you're changing in hand, you can feel safe knowing you can undo any changes that might result in problems in your system. You don't have to back up the entire registry if you don't want to; you can back up just the registry keys you're working with.

Your backed-up registry keys exist as a REG file. You can easily restore a registry backup by opening the REG file and following the prompts, and it can be done no matter which version of Windows you're using.