Tài liệu Microsoft Windows XP Registry Guide docx

Microsoft Windows XP Registry Guide

Table of Contents

Microsoft Windows XP Registry Guide..........................................................................................1

Introduction........................................................................................................................................4

This Book Is Different—Really.................................................................................................4

Power Users First; Then IT Professionals...............................................................................5

Some Terminology...................................................................................................................6

Gotta Love Windows XP..........................................................................................................7

Final Note.................................................................................................................................7

Part I: Registry Overview..................................................................................................................9

Chapter List..............................................................................................................................9

Part Overview.....................................................................................................................9

Chapter 1: Learning the Basics......................................................................................................10

Overview................................................................................................................................10

Heart and Soul of Windows XP..............................................................................................10

For Power Users..............................................................................................................11

For IT Professionals.........................................................................................................12

Registry Warnings and Myths................................................................................................14

Must−Know Concepts............................................................................................................14

Security Identifiers............................................................................................................14

Globally Unique Identifiers...............................................................................................17

Hexadecimal Notation......................................................................................................17

Bits and Bit Masks............................................................................................................18

Little−Endian and Big−Endian..........................................................................................19

ANSI and Unicode Encoding............................................................................................20

Null and Empty Strings.....................................................................................................20

Structure of the Registry........................................................................................................20

Keys.................................................................................................................................22

Values..............................................................................................................................23

Types...............................................................................................................................24

Organization of the Registry..................................................................................................26

HKEY_USERS.................................................................................................................27

HKEY_CURRENT_USER................................................................................................28

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE...............................................................................................29

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT................................................................................................29

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG............................................................................................30

Registry Management Tools..................................................................................................30

Registry Hive Files.................................................................................................................31

Hives in HKLM.................................................................................................................31

Hives in HKU....................................................................................................................32

Chapter 2: Using the Registry Editor.............................................................................................33

Overview................................................................................................................................33

Running Regedit....................................................................................................................33

Exploring Regedit...................................................................................................................34

Key Pane.........................................................................................................................35

Value Pane......................................................................................................................36

Searching for Data.................................................................................................................37

Searching Incrementally...................................................................................................38

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Chapter 2: Using the Registry Editor

Searching in Binary Values..............................................................................................38

Bookmarking Favorite Keys.............................................................................................39

Using Better Techniques..................................................................................................40

Editing the Registry................................................................................................................41

Changing Values..............................................................................................................41

Adding Keys or Values.....................................................................................................44

Deleting Keys or Values...................................................................................................45

Renaming Keys or Values................................................................................................45

Printing the Registry...............................................................................................................46

Exporting Settings to Files.....................................................................................................47

Registration Files.............................................................................................................48

Win9x/NT4 Registration Files...........................................................................................49

Hive Files.........................................................................................................................50

Text Files..........................................................................................................................51

Working with Hive Files..........................................................................................................51

Getting Beyond Basics...........................................................................................................52

Chapter 3: Backing up the Registry...............................................................................................53

Overview................................................................................................................................53

Editing the Registry Safely.....................................................................................................53

Copying Single Values.....................................................................................................54

Backing Up to REG Files.................................................................................................55

Backing Up to Hive Files..................................................................................................55

Fixing Corrupt Settings..........................................................................................................57

Allowing Windows XP to Fix Errors..................................................................................58

Repairing an Application's Settings..................................................................................59

Removing Programs from the Registry............................................................................61

Using Another Computer's Settings.................................................................................62

Using System Restore...........................................................................................................62

Taking Configuration Snapshots......................................................................................63

Peeking Under the Covers...............................................................................................64

Managing System Restore...............................................................................................66

Hacking System Restore..................................................................................................66

Scripting System Restore.................................................................................................67

Backing Up the Registry Regularly........................................................................................68

Planning a Backup Strategy.............................................................................................69

Backing Up System State Data........................................................................................70

Restoring System State Data...........................................................................................71

Backing Up User Settings......................................................................................................72

Recovering from Disasters.....................................................................................................73

Advanced Options Menu..................................................................................................73

Recovery Console............................................................................................................74

Automated System Recovery...........................................................................................76

Chapter 4: Hacking the Registry....................................................................................................78

Overview................................................................................................................................78

Redirecting Special Folders...................................................................................................78

Customizing Shell Folders.....................................................................................................80

Renaming Desktop Icons.................................................................................................82

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Chapter 4: Hacking the Registry

Using Custom Icon Images..............................................................................................83

Adding Desktop Icons......................................................................................................83

Hiding Desktop Icons.......................................................................................................85

Customizing File Associations...............................................................................................85

Running Programs from My Computer............................................................................86

Open Command Prompts at Folders...............................................................................88

Rooting Windows Explorer at a Folder.............................................................................89

Adding InfoTips to Program Classes................................................................................90

Adding File Templates...........................................................................................................92

Preventing Messenger from Running....................................................................................93

Personalizing the Start Menu.................................................................................................93

Configuring the Menu's Contents.....................................................................................94

Trimming the Frequently Used Programs List..................................................................96

Restoring the Sort Order..................................................................................................97

Customizing Internet Explorer................................................................................................98

Extending the Shortcut Menus.........................................................................................98

Changing the Toolbar Background..................................................................................99

Customizing Search URLs...............................................................................................99

Clearing History Lists...........................................................................................................102

Running Programs at Startup..............................................................................................102

Controlling Registry Editor...................................................................................................103

Default Action for REG Files..........................................................................................103

Storing Window Position and Size.................................................................................103

Logging On Automatically....................................................................................................104

Changing User Information..................................................................................................104

Looking for More Hacks.......................................................................................................105

Chapter 5: Mapping Tweak UI.......................................................................................................106

Overview..............................................................................................................................106

General................................................................................................................................106

Focus.............................................................................................................................108

Mouse..................................................................................................................................109

Hover..............................................................................................................................110

Wheel.............................................................................................................................110

X−Mouse........................................................................................................................110

Explorer................................................................................................................................111

Shortcut..........................................................................................................................112

Colors.............................................................................................................................113

Thumbnails.....................................................................................................................113

Command Keys..............................................................................................................114

Common Dialog Boxes........................................................................................................115

Taskbar................................................................................................................................116

Grouping........................................................................................................................116

XP Start Menu................................................................................................................117

Desktop................................................................................................................................118

First Icon........................................................................................................................119

My Computer.......................................................................................................................119

Drives.............................................................................................................................119

Special Folders..............................................................................................................120

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Chapter 5: Mapping Tweak UI

AutoPlay.........................................................................................................................121

Control Panel.......................................................................................................................122

Templates............................................................................................................................122

Internet Explorer..................................................................................................................123

Search............................................................................................................................123

View Source...................................................................................................................124

Command Prompt................................................................................................................125

Logon...................................................................................................................................125

Autologon.......................................................................................................................125

Part II: Registry in Management...................................................................................................127

Chapter List..........................................................................................................................127

Part Overview.................................................................................................................127

Chapter 6: Using Registry−Based Policy....................................................................................128

Overview..............................................................................................................................128

Editing Local Policies...........................................................................................................128

Group Policy Extensions................................................................................................130

Registry−Based Policy...................................................................................................131

Group Policy Storage.....................................................................................................134

Extending Registry−Based Policy........................................................................................135

Comments......................................................................................................................137

Strings............................................................................................................................137

CLASS...........................................................................................................................138

CATEGORY...................................................................................................................139

KEYNAME......................................................................................................................140

POLICY..........................................................................................................................140

EXPLAIN........................................................................................................................142

VALUENAME.................................................................................................................142

VALUEON and VALUEOFF...........................................................................................142

ACTIONLIST..................................................................................................................142

PART..............................................................................................................................143

CHECKBOX...................................................................................................................145

COMBOBOX..................................................................................................................147

DROPDOWNLIST..........................................................................................................148

EDITTEXT......................................................................................................................150

LISTBOX........................................................................................................................151

NUMERIC......................................................................................................................152

TEXT..............................................................................................................................154

Deploying Registry−Based Policy........................................................................................155

Windows 2000 Server−Based Networks........................................................................155

Windows NT−Based and Other Networks.....................................................................156

Customizing Windows XP....................................................................................................157

Using the Group Policy Tools..............................................................................................159

Gpresult..........................................................................................................................159

Gpupdate.......................................................................................................................160

Help and Support Center...............................................................................................161

Resultant Set of Policy...................................................................................................162

Finding More Resources......................................................................................................163

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Chapter 7: Managing Registry Security.......................................................................................164

Overview..............................................................................................................................164

Setting Keys' Permissions....................................................................................................164

Adding Users to ACLs....................................................................................................166

Removing Users from ACLs...........................................................................................166

Assigning Special Permissions......................................................................................167

Mapping Default Permissions..............................................................................................168

Taking Ownership of Keys...................................................................................................172

Auditing Registry Access.....................................................................................................173

Preventing Local Registry Access.......................................................................................174

Restricting Remote Registry Access....................................................................................175

Deploying Security Templates.............................................................................................175

Creating a Security Management Console....................................................................176

Choosing a Predefined Security Template.....................................................................177

Building a Custom Security Template............................................................................178

Analyzing a Computer's Configuration...........................................................................179

Modifying a Computer's Configuration...........................................................................180

Deploying Security Templates on the Network..............................................................181

Chapter 8: Finding Registry Settings..........................................................................................182

Comparing REG Files..........................................................................................................182

Using WinDiff.................................................................................................................184

Using Word 2002...........................................................................................................185

Comparing with Reg.exe......................................................................................................186

Auditing the Registry............................................................................................................187

Setting Audit Policy........................................................................................................188

Auditing Registry Keys...................................................................................................188

Analyzing the Results.....................................................................................................189

Monitoring the Registry........................................................................................................189

Using Winternals Regmon.............................................................................................189

Filtering for Better Results..............................................................................................191

Part III: Registry in Deployment...................................................................................................192

Chapter List..........................................................................................................................192

Part Overview.................................................................................................................192

Chapter 9: Scripting Registry Changes.......................................................................................193

Overview..............................................................................................................................193

Choosing a Technique.........................................................................................................193

Installing INF Files...............................................................................................................194

Starting with a Template................................................................................................195

Linking Sections Together..............................................................................................197

Adding Keys and Values................................................................................................198

Deleting Keys and Values..............................................................................................200

Setting and Clearing Bits................................................................................................200

Using Strings in INF Files...............................................................................................202

Setting Values with REG Files.............................................................................................203

Exporting Settings to REG Files.....................................................................................204

Creating REG Files Manually.........................................................................................205

Encoding Special Characters.........................................................................................206

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Table of Contents

Chapter 9: Scripting Registry Changes

Deleting Keys Using a REG File....................................................................................207

Editing from the Command Prompt......................................................................................207

Adding Keys and Values................................................................................................208

Querying Values.............................................................................................................209

Deleting Keys and Values..............................................................................................209

Comparing Keys and Values..........................................................................................210

Copying Keys and Values..............................................................................................211

Exporting Keys to REG Files..........................................................................................211

Importing REG Files.......................................................................................................212

Saving Keys to Hive Files..............................................................................................212

Restoring Hive Files to Keys..........................................................................................212

Loading Hive Files..........................................................................................................212

Unloading Hive Files......................................................................................................213

Scripting Using Windows Script Host...................................................................................213

Creating Script Files.......................................................................................................214

Running Script Files.......................................................................................................215

Formatting Key and Value Names.................................................................................217

Adding and Updating Values..........................................................................................218

Removing Keys and Values...........................................................................................218

Querying Registry Values..............................................................................................219

Creating Windows Installer Packages.................................................................................219

Chapter 10: Deploying User Profiles...........................................................................................221

Overview..............................................................................................................................221

Exploring User Profiles........................................................................................................221

Profile Hives...................................................................................................................224

Profile Folders................................................................................................................224

Special Profiles..............................................................................................................227

Getting User Profiles............................................................................................................228

Local Profiles..................................................................................................................228

Roaming Profiles............................................................................................................229

Using Roaming User Profiles...............................................................................................230

Managing Roaming User Profiles..................................................................................232

Understanding Fast Network Logon...............................................................................233

Understanding the New Merge......................................................................................234

Deploying Default User Profiles...........................................................................................235

Customizing User Settings.............................................................................................236

Cleaning User Profiles...................................................................................................237

Creating Default User Folders........................................................................................239

Deploying Default User Folders.....................................................................................240

Coexisting with Earlier Versions of Windows.......................................................................240

Migrating User Settings to Windows XP..............................................................................241

Files And Settings Transfer Wizard................................................................................241

User State Migration Tool..............................................................................................242

Chapter 11: Mapping Windows Installer......................................................................................243

Overview..............................................................................................................................243

Repairing Registry Settings.................................................................................................243

Managing Windows Installer with Policies...........................................................................244

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Table of Contents

Chapter 11: Mapping Windows Installer

Installing with Elevated Privileges..................................................................................246

Caching Transforms in Secure Location........................................................................247

Locking Down Windows Installer...................................................................................247

Removing Windows Installer Data.......................................................................................248

Msizap.exe.....................................................................................................................248

Msicuu.exe.....................................................................................................................249

Inventorying Applications.....................................................................................................250

Chapter 12: Deploying with Answer Files...................................................................................253

Overview..............................................................................................................................253

Creating Distribution Folders...............................................................................................253

Customizing Answer Files....................................................................................................255

Setup Manager...............................................................................................................258

Notepad and Other Text Editors....................................................................................260

Adding Settings to Unattend.txt...........................................................................................262

[GuiRunOnce]................................................................................................................262

Cmdlines.txt...................................................................................................................263

Logging On Automatically After Installation.........................................................................264

Chapter 13: Cloning Disks with Sysprep.....................................................................................266

Overview..............................................................................................................................266

Cloning Windows XP...........................................................................................................266

Windows XP Tools.........................................................................................................268

Sysprep Limitations........................................................................................................268

Building a Disk Image..........................................................................................................269

Customizing Mini−Setup................................................................................................270

Preparing for Duplication................................................................................................272

Cloning the Disk Image..................................................................................................272

Reducing Image Count........................................................................................................275

Filling SysprepMassStorage Manually...........................................................................275

Filling SysprepMassStorage Automatically....................................................................276

Cleaning Up After Sysprep.............................................................................................276

Mapping Sysprep Settings...................................................................................................277

Keeping Perspective............................................................................................................278

Chapter 14: Microsoft Office XP User Settings...........................................................................280

Overview..............................................................................................................................280

Profile Wizard.......................................................................................................................280

Customizing the Wizard.................................................................................................281

Capturing Settings..........................................................................................................288

Deploying Settings.........................................................................................................289

Custom Installation Wizard..................................................................................................290

Add/Remove Registry Entries........................................................................................291

Customize Default Application Settings.........................................................................292

Change Office User Settings..........................................................................................293

Add Installations and Run Programs..............................................................................294

Custom Maintenance Wizard...............................................................................................295

Group and System Policy....................................................................................................295

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Table of Contents

Chapter 15: Working Around IT Problems..................................................................................298

Controlling Just−in−Time Setup...........................................................................................298

Outlook Express.............................................................................................................299

Windows Media Player...................................................................................................300

Desktop Themes............................................................................................................300

Other Shortcuts..............................................................................................................301

Removing Components.......................................................................................................302

Answer File [Components] Section................................................................................302

Extending Windows Components Wizard......................................................................304

Removing Components After Installation.......................................................................305

Hiding Non−Removable Components............................................................................306

Removing Policy Tattoos.....................................................................................................307

Elevating Processes' Privileges...........................................................................................309

Group Policy...................................................................................................................309

Secondary Logon...........................................................................................................310

Scheduled Tasks............................................................................................................310

AutoLogon......................................................................................................................311

Severing File Associations...................................................................................................313

Deploying Office XP Trusted Sources.................................................................................314

Enabling Remote Desktop Remotely...................................................................................314

Customizing the Windows XP Logon...................................................................................315

Part IV: Appendices.......................................................................................................................316

Appendix List.......................................................................................................................316

Part Overview.................................................................................................................316

Appendix A: File Associations.....................................................................................................317

Overview..............................................................................................................................317

Merge Algorithm...................................................................................................................317

File Extension Keys.............................................................................................................317

OpenWithList..................................................................................................................318

PerceivedType...............................................................................................................319

ShellNew........................................................................................................................319

Program Class Keys............................................................................................................319

DefaultIcon.....................................................................................................................321

EditFlags........................................................................................................................321

Shell...............................................................................................................................322

Specialized Keys..................................................................................................................323

Applications....................................................................................................................324

SystemFileAssociations.................................................................................................324

Unknown........................................................................................................................324

COM Class Keys..................................................................................................................324

Appendix B: Per−User Settings...................................................................................................327

Overview..............................................................................................................................327

AppEvents............................................................................................................................327

Console................................................................................................................................328

Control Panel.......................................................................................................................329

Desktop..........................................................................................................................330

Desktop\Window Metrics................................................................................................333

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Table of Contents

Appendix B: Per−User Settings

Mouse............................................................................................................................335

Environment.........................................................................................................................336

Keyboard Layout..................................................................................................................336

Network................................................................................................................................337

Printers.................................................................................................................................337

SessionInformation..............................................................................................................337

Software...............................................................................................................................337

Classes..........................................................................................................................338

Microsoft\Command Processor......................................................................................338

Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard............................................................................339

Microsoft\Internet Explorer.............................................................................................339

Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MenuExt..............................................................................340

Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL.........................................................................341

Microsoft\MessengerService..........................................................................................342

Microsoft\Office..............................................................................................................343

Microsoft\Search Assistant.............................................................................................344

Microsoft\VBA\Trusted...................................................................................................344

Policies...........................................................................................................................345

Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion.....................................................................346

Explorer\Advanced.........................................................................................................346

Explorer\AutoComplete..................................................................................................350

Explorer\ComDlg32........................................................................................................350

Explorer\HideDesktopIcons............................................................................................350

Explorer\HideMyComputerIcons....................................................................................350

Explorer\MenuOrder.......................................................................................................350

Explorer\RecentDocs.....................................................................................................351

Explorer\RunMRU..........................................................................................................351

Explorer\User Shell Folders...........................................................................................351

Appendix C: Per−Computer Settings..........................................................................................353

Overview..............................................................................................................................353

HARDWARE........................................................................................................................353

DESCRIPTION...............................................................................................................354

DEVICEMAP..................................................................................................................354

SAM.....................................................................................................................................355

SECURITY...........................................................................................................................355

SOFTWARE.........................................................................................................................356

Classes..........................................................................................................................356

Clients............................................................................................................................356

Microsoft\Active Setup...................................................................................................357

Microsoft\Command Processor......................................................................................358

Microsoft\Driver Signing.................................................................................................359

Microsoft\InternetExplorer..............................................................................................360

Microsoft\Sysprep..........................................................................................................360

Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion..........................................................................360

Policies...........................................................................................................................361

SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion...............................................................361

App Paths......................................................................................................................362

Applets...........................................................................................................................362

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Table of Contents

Appendix C: Per−Computer Settings

Explorer..........................................................................................................................362

Explorer\AutoplayHandlers............................................................................................363

Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace.......................................................................................363

Explorer\FindExtensions................................................................................................363

Explorer\HideDesktopIcons............................................................................................364

Explorer\HideMyComputerIcons....................................................................................364

Explorer\MyComputer....................................................................................................364

Explorer\NetworkNeighborhood\NameSpace................................................................364

Explorer\RemoteComputer\NameSpace........................................................................365

Explorer\StartMenu........................................................................................................365

Explorer\User Shell Folders...........................................................................................365

Explorer\VisualEffects....................................................................................................365

Policies...........................................................................................................................366

Run................................................................................................................................366

RunOnce........................................................................................................................366

Uninstall.........................................................................................................................366

SYSTEM..............................................................................................................................366

CurrentControlSet\Control..............................................................................................367

CurrentControlSet\Enum................................................................................................368

CurrentControlSet\Hardware Profiles.............................................................................368

CurrentControlSet\Services...........................................................................................368

Appendix D: Group Policies.........................................................................................................370

Conf.adm.............................................................................................................................370

Inetcorp.adm........................................................................................................................372

Inetres.adm..........................................................................................................................372

Inetset.adm..........................................................................................................................381

System.adm.........................................................................................................................382

Wmplayer.adm.....................................................................................................................417

List of Figures................................................................................................................................418

List of Tables..................................................................................................................................423

List of Listings...............................................................................................................................426

List of Sidebars..............................................................................................................................428

x

Microsoft Windows XP Registry Guide

Jerry Honeycutt

Microsoft Press

A Division of Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond , Washington 98052−6399

Copyright © 2003 by Jerry Honeycutt

All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any

form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging−in−Publication Data

Honeycutt, Jerry.

Microsoft Windows XP Registry Guide / Jerry Honeycutt.

p. cm.

Includes index.

ISBN 0735617880

1. Microsoft Windows (Computer file) 2. Operating systems (Computers) I. Title.

QA76.76.O63 H6636 2002

005.4'4769−−dc21 2002075317

Printed and bound in the United States of America.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 QWT 7 6 5 4 3 2

Distributed in Canada by H.B. Fenn and Company Ltd.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Microsoft Press books are available through booksellers and distributors worldwide. For further

information about international editions, contact your local Microsoft Corporation office or contact

Microsoft Press International directly at fax (425) 936−7329. Visit our Web site at

www.microsoft.com/mspress. Send comments to <[email protected].>

Active Desktop, Active Directory, ActiveX, DirectSound, DirectX, FrontPage, Hotmail, IntelliMirror,

JScript, Links, Microsoft, Microsoft Press, MSDN, MS−DOS, MSN, NetMeeting, NetShow, Outlook,

PhotoDraw, PowerPoint, VGA, Visual Basic, Visual InterDev, Windows, Windows Media, Windows

NT, and Win32 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the

United States and/or other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be

the trademarks of their respective owners.

1

The example companies, organizations, products, domain names, e−mail addresses, logos, people,

places, and events depicted herein are fictitious. No association with any real company,

organization, product, domain name, e−mail address, logo, person, place, or event is intended or

should be inferred.

For Microsoft Press:

Acquisitions Editor: Alex Blanton

Project Editors: Jenny Moss Benson and Kristen Weatherby

For Online Training Solutions, Inc.:

Project Managers: Joyce Cox, Nancy Depper, and Joan Preppernau

Technical Editor: Keith Bednarczuk

Copy Editor: Nancy Depper

Compositors: RJ Cadranell and Liz Clark

Proofreader: Lisa Van Every

Body Part No. X08−81847

For Carlo and Kay

Acknowledgments

Never let authors tell you that they wrote their books all by themselves. Creating a book out of an

author's gibberish takes a lot of work from a lot of people with a lot of different skills. Some crack the

whip and others are artisans. They all deserve credit.

First I'd like to thank my acquisitions editor, Alex Blanton. Alex holds up well under pressure,

pushing me to get things done without breaking my will to do things right. The result is the right mix

of quality and timeliness. The folks who I had the most contact with were Jenny Benson and Kristen

Weatherby, though. They were this book's project editors with the responsibility of managing the

overall process. Kristen worked on the early stages of this book, getting the whole project moving

forward, and Jenny had the unenviable job of getting it finished. I bow to both of them and chant,

"I'm not worthy."

A number of other people have my admiration as well. Nancy Depper was this book's copy editor,

correcting my brutal use of the language. Lisa Van Every proofed the book's contents, and Keith

Bednarczuk was the book's technical editor. I think this book's layout looks great, and the credit

goes to RJ Cadranell and Liz Clark. Finally, Joyce Cox and Joan Preppernau provide their project

management skills. Thank you one and all.

Jerry Honeycutt empowers people to work and play better by helping them use popular

technologies, including the Microsoft Windows product family, IP−based networking, and the

Internet. He reaches out through his frequent writings and talks but prefers to get his hands dirty by

helping companies deploy and manage their desktop computers.

2

As a best−selling author, Jerry has written over 25 books. His most recent include Windows 2000

Professional (New Riders, 2000), Microsoft Windows 2000 Registry Handbook (Macmillan, 2000),

and Introducing Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional (Microsoft Press, 1999). He has written six

other books about the registry. Most of his books are sold internationally and are available in a

variety of languages.

Jerry is also a columnist for Microsoft Expert Zone, a Web site for Windows XP enthusiasts, and

makes frequent contributions to a variety of content areas on Microsoft's Web site: Office XP,

TechNet, and so on. He also contributes to various trade publications including Smart Business and

CNET. Jerry is also a frequent speaker at assorted public events, including COMDEX, Developer

Days, Microsoft Exchange Conference, and Microsoft Global Briefing, and occasionally hosts chats

on Microsoft's TechNet Web site.

In addition to writing and speaking, Jerry has a long history of using his skills for more practical

purposes: providing technical leadership to business. He specializes in desktop deployment and

management, particularly using the Windows product family. Companies like Capital One,

Travelers, IBM, Nielsen North America, IRM, Howard Systems International, and NCR have all

leveraged his expertise. He continues writing, training, and consulting to serve the business

community.

Jerry graduated from University of Texas at Dallas in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer

Science. He also studied at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. In his spare time, Jerry plays

golf, dabbles with photography, and travels. He is an avid collector of rare books and casino chips.

Jerry lives in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, TX.

See Jerry's Web site at www.honeycutt.com or send mail to <[email protected]>.

3

Introduction

The registry is the heart and soul of Microsoft Windows XP. In my other registry books, I said the

same thing about the registry in every version of Windows since Microsoft Windows 95, and by the

time you're finished reading this book, I hope you'll agree. The registry contains the configuration

data that makes the operating system work. The registry enables developers to organize

configuration data in ways that are impossible with other mechanisms, such as INI files. It's behind

just about every feature in Windows XP that you think is cool. More importantly, it enables you to

customize Windows XP in ways you can't through the user interface.

Windows XP and every application that runs on Microsoft's latest desktop operating system do

absolutely nothing without consulting the registry first. When you double−click a file, Windows XP

consults the registry to figure out what to do with it. When you install a device, Windows XP assigns

resources to the device based on information in the registry and then stores the device's

configuration in the registry. When you run an application such as Microsoft Word 2002, the

application looks up your preferences in the registry. If you were to monitor the registry during a

normal session, you'd see the registry serves up thousands of values within minutes.

In this book, you will learn how to customize the registry, but you must also learn how to take care

of the registry. You must learn how to back up the registry so you can restore it if things go awry.

You must also learn the best practices for editing the registry safely.

The registry isn't just a hacker's dream, though. The registry is an invaluable tool for the IT

professional deploying, managing, and supporting Windows XP. Did you know that most policies in

Group Policy and system policies are really settings in the registry? Does that give you any ideas?

Did you know that scripting registry edits is one of the best ways to deploy settings to users? This

book teaches you about policies, scripting, and much more. For example, you will learn how to

deploy registry settings during Windows XP and Microsoft Office XP installations. Some deployment

problems can be solved only by using the registry, so I describe the most common IT workarounds,

too. For example, I'll show you how to prevent Windows XP from creating the Microsoft Outlook

Express icon on the desktop when a user logs on to the computer for the first time.

This Book Is Different—Really

This book contains information that you're not going to find in any other book about the Windows XP

registry. You'll learn how to track down where Windows XP and other programs store settings in the

registry. You'll learn how to write scripts to edit the registry. You'll discover registry hacks that are

both unique and useful. And you'll read about my personal experiences with the registry and what I

consider my best practices. For example, in Chapter 2, "Using the Registry Editor," you'll learn how I

quickly document my changes to the registry—right in the registry itself.

That's all stuff for power users, but more than half of this book is for IT professionals. Whether

you're a desktop engineer, deployment engineer, or a support technician, you'll learn techniques

that will make your job easier. A lot of the book focuses on how the registry affects Windows XP and

Office XP deployment. You'll learn about creating and deploying effective default user profiles. You'll

learn how to deploy settings with Windows XP and Office XP. You'll even learn how to build your

own Windows Installer package files expressly for managing settings in the registry. The best part is

that just about every tool I suggest in this book is either free or very inexpensive.

4