Microsoft Windows Registry Guide, Second Edition [Paperback]

Jerry Honeycutt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 2005

Get the in-depth information you need to modify—and seamlessly manage—the Windows registry. Written for IT professionals and power users, this vital resource reveals little-known registry techniques, tricks, tips, and secrets to make your job easier. Understand the inner workings of the Windows operating system—and use the registry to get Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP to run the way you want, on a single desktop or across the network. You’ll learn how to pinpoint registry settings and script registry changes, deal with registry permissions, use Windows Installer, and map Tweak UI settings. Also, find best practices for how to back up, restore, and maintain registry settings with confidence. The CD includes 100+ registry files for customizing operating system appearance and behavior, and the complete eBook. You’ll learn how to: Apply best practices to back up, restore, manage, and modify the registry Customize group and system policies to manage multiple PCs and users remotely Track down registry settings and script changes Optimize server services, including network connections and authentication Deploy user profiles and Microsoft Office program settings Configure security services, including Windows Firewall, templates, and service pack features Troubleshoot the registry—resolving common problems and corruption issues

A Note Regarding the CD or DVD

The print version of this book ships with a CD or DVD. For those customers purchasing one of the digital formats in which this book is available, we are pleased to offer the CD/DVD content as a free download via O'Reilly Media's Digital Distribution services. To download this content, please visit O'Reilly's web site, search for the title of this book to find its catalog page, and click on the link below the cover image (Examples, Companion Content, or Practice Files). Note that while we provide as much of the media content as we are able via free download, we are sometimes limited by licensing restrictions. Please direct any questions or concerns to [e-mail].

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Expert guidance and ready-to-use files and templates for modifying and managing the Windows registry.

Key Book Benefits:

Learn how to customize and manage the Windows registry—and get your systems running the way you want Apply best practices for backing up, managing, modifying, restoring, and troubleshooting the registry Get 100+ registry files and templates plus a complete eBook on the CD

About the Author

Jerry Honeycutt is a well-known author and IT consultant who has written more than 25 books, including Introducing Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Desktop Deployment Resource Kit from Microsoft Press. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and a columnist for the Microsoft Windows XP Expert Zone, Microsoft TechNet, and CNET.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press; 2nd edition (September 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735622183
• ISBN-13: 978-0735622180
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #528,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as "in-depth" a registry learning tool as I anticipated, March 26, 2008

By 

Mark Burrell "Concerned Consumer" (Toronto, Ontario) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Windows Registry Guide, Second Edition (Paperback)

The back cover of this book says the following; "Understand how the Registry works -- and customize Windows to run the way you want". Also; "Get the in-depth information you need to modify -- and seamlessly manage -- the Windows registry". I purchased this book in the hope of becoming thoroughly adept in UNDERSTANDING HOW TO EDIT my own registry key values. The systems registry should not be manually altered unless you understand the ramifications of what you are doing. One wrong hex value can cause a lot of computer problems, (although System Restore can take care of most of these issues if a restore point is first created). The book may be fine for I.T. professionals but for those who want to take an intimate look inside the registry in order to examine and learn to become proficient about its innermost workings, I do not recommend this book. Less than 30 pages, (pp 3-31), cover the "Learning the Basics" of the registry. I would have liked more information such as interpreting the registry Hex values using a common Hex Editing tool and how to make MY OWN intelligent alterations based on newfound knowledge gained from reading the book. There are several registry "Hacks" in the book but it's really just a matter of copying values from the book. You aren't really told what is actually taking place when hex values are changed, (EG. Are we changing a boolean value and/or how do we know which hex values are available to be changed, etc.)There is a lack of in depth explanations on topics that I think were very relevant. I paid $64.99 CDN for this book at the time of my purchase. I don't believe that I received fair value in return. I know the price has decreased somewhat since then and because of that, it may be a worthwhile investment for those who would like some useful information about Windows Registry. Again, just remember the book is targeted towards I.T. professionals. The three stars are mainly because of what I see to be a great lack of informative in-depth content, and very brief and somewhat vague explanations. I was left hanging and had to consult other media to find answers about some of the topics which I read in this book.

55 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Administrators of Windows XP Professional or Windows 2003 Server Software, January 31, 2006

By 

Paul Pendleton (Stephenville, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Windows Registry Guide, Second Edition (Paperback)

I purchased this book to help me create a more secure limited user environment for Windows XP Home which would also work with legacy software. After purchase I found out that the author assumes the user is administering either Windows XP Professional or Windows 2003 Server software for large groups of users. The author details how to make mass registry changes using the Group Policy Editor which is not available in Windows XP Home. This book is probably the best resource available for its intended readers. While it was not intended for use with Windows XP Home, I've gained enough knowledge from the book to be able to successfully find on the internet the writings of other authors who have already worked out the registry hacks of XP Home needed to accomplish for its administrators one user at a time the same result as that obtained for those who administer large groups of users.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars No CD with this book?, January 22, 2010

By 

John D. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft Windows Registry Guide, Second Edition (Paperback)

The "Product Description" for this book, and various places in the book, mention an accompanying CD, but none is listed in the order or shipping papers and none was received. Possibly the CD accompanies some other book by the same author? It would have been nice to have it. As for the book, it seems technically competent but does not provide the kind of understanding that would make me literate in the Registry and its workings, so any changes I make will be more limited than hoped. It seems good for installing Windows in various environments and servers, but I'm just a Home user.