Tài liệu Preparing to Edit the Registry doc

Preparing to Edit the Registry

Even though this book is dedicated to the topic of registry editing, remember that an

incorrect modification or the accidental deletion of an element of the registry element can

result in rendering your system unbootable. Before you start editing the registry, pay

close heed to the following recommendations:

ƒ Microsoft doesn't provide any official support for users who want to solve their

own problems by editing the registry. However, you can get additional

information, and even some advice, by subscribing to Microsoft technical-support

services.

ƒ Modify the registry only when you know that all of the information related to the

registry keys, values, and the restrictions for devices and applications that you

intend to troubleshoot is correct.

ƒ Start editing the registry only once all attempts to set or modify a certain function

using the Control Panel applets or administrative utilities have failed. Note that

using the Device Manager is the best way to modify hardware settings, since this

tool won't let you delete any of the required registry keys or make other critical

errors. Registry editors don't safeguard you against this type of mistake.

ƒ When you start the registry editors, remember that these tools are incapable of

undoing or redoing your actions. Any changes that you make will be saved

automatically (and almost immediately). If you make an error, the only method of

quickly undoing a change is to import the previously created registry file before

rebooting the system.

Tip Never introduce a large number of changes at once. Always try to introduce only one

modification per registry-editing session and reboot the system when you're done.

This will allow you to test the changes you've made. If you have made a number of

changes during a single registry-editing session and, as a result, your system becomes

unbootable, it will be difficult to identify which of the modifications is causing the

problem. When you are sure that the modification to the registry is appropriate, you

may then proceed with further changes. Don't forget to back up the registry on a

regular basis. The frequency of the backup depends on the frequency of registry

modifications (and on the tool used to edit the registry). Generally speaking, you

should back up your registry at least once a week. If you edit the registry every day,

create a backup copy at the end of each working day. It is also recommended to

maintain the most recent backup copies of the files containing group policies, INF

files, and system-policy templates.

More detailed information on registry backup and recovery procedures is provided in

Chapter 2.