How to Open the Registry Editor on Windows

All changes in the Windows Registry can be done through the Registry Editor, a tool available in all versions of Windows. Registry Editor allows users to view, create and modify registry keys and registry values. However, there is no shortcut for this tool in the Start menu or on the Apps screen, so users who want to open Registry Editor must execute a command line. This guide will show you how to open the Registry Editor in Windows.

Note: How to open the Registry Editor below can be done in versions of Windows using the registry like Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.

How to open the Registry Editor

Step 1: In Windows 10 or Windows 8.1, right-click or press and hold the Start button and then select Run . Previous versions of Windows 8.1, can easily access Run from the Apps screen. In Windows 7 or Windows Vista, click Start.

In Windows XP, click the Start button and then click Run.

Step 2: In the search box or Run window, type the following:

regedit

and then press Enter . Note: Depending on the version of Windows and how it is configured, users may see the User Account Control dialog box to confirm opening the Registry Editor.

Step 3: Registry Editor appears. If you have used Registry Editor before, it will open the same location you worked on last time. In this case, if you don't want to work with keys or values in that location, just continue to minimize the registry keys until you see the hive registry.

Tip: You can minimize or expand the registry keys by clicking or tapping the small icon > next to the key. In Windows XP, the + symbol will be replaced for the> icon.

Step 4: Now users can make any registry changes.

Note : Back up regisrtry before making any changes in case something goes wrong.

Some tips with Registry Editor

• The quick way to open the Run dialog on Windows is to use the Windows + R. shortcut.