The Windows Registry is the elusive, hidden data core of your computer. It is the brain and command center behind everything that occurs from the time you start up your computer to the time you shut it down. With proper knowledge of the registry, one can speed up a computer or slow it to a halt.

The Windows Registry was originally implemented to combine INI files (system files that tell the operating system where to go and what to do) into one slick database. The Windows Control Panel is basically a GUI (graphical user interface) representation of the Windows Registry that helps a novice user make minor changes and tweaks.

Before the Windows Registry was invented, those special INI files were scattered everywhere, which made programs slower as they had to find the INI locations. The registry keeps everything compact in one easy-to-navigate (for the computer, not the user!) location.

The Windows Registry contains file associations, program commands, and windows operating orders. It can be accessed by going to your Start menu, clicking Run, and typing regedit.

However, this is something that a novice or inexperienced user should not even attempt. It can be very confusing in there and things can get messy pretty quick.

The registry can hold old entries and archaic references that bog down the speed of your computer. In order to eradicate these, you can use a Registry Sweeper utility. These are freely available and are usually shareware.

The information contained in the registry (which is represented by a file browser similar to Windows Explorer), is shown as strings and values. These are simply small lines of code the operating system understands which explains how things should be handled. For example, the Windows Registry says that a .jpg file is an image file. It looks complex, but that is only at first glance. Everything has a valid reason for being there.

HKEY is probably the most prevalent word in the Windows Registry. It stands for “Handle to Key.” The keys (“HKEYs”) are the “folders” that contain the strings and values (the “INI” information).

Windows Control Panel allows you to tweak values and strings (even though you do not know you are doing it). When you install or uninstall software, HKEYs are created and destroyed.

A lot of malicious software will target your registry first. This is why the damage can be very swift and hard. To combat this, it is best to run a Registry Sweeper utility regularly. Also, uninstalling software sometimes does not completely remove the registry entries. These extra entries bog down your system performance until you are crawling at turtle’s pace.