Customer Reviews

Microsoft Windows Registry Guide, Second Edition

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This book is very thorough in explaining the Registry and how to work with it. As a self taught person I found it heavy going and would not reccomend it to other than the people it is intended for - IT people! Chances are that few average people will read this anyway. My main purpose was in trying to understand and combat changes made by intrusion and viruses.

This book explains the windows registry in great detail. A must for anyone looking to modify or add registry settings.

I have been editing the registry in computer systems on a professional level since 1999. This book has cleared up allot of things I wish I knew years ago. It is concise and to the point. The index is organized well and makes it easy to find relevant information quickly. If you have ever tried to fix a complicated problem while 10 people are waiting for you to get done, you will appreciate this. Chopped full of useful information, a valuable reference for when something goes wrong and the normal rules of the game don't apply anymore.

Stephen

This book would have been useful to me several years ago when I ran Windows XP, but since I have upgraded to Windows 7, it is virtually useless since this book does
not cover the Windows 7 OS registry. Amazon.com is now giving so little infomation about the products it sells, it is practaclly impossible to choose a product that
is specifically what one is seeking. On the page for this book it should have been explicitly stated that this book covered the Windows XP OS and nothing else. To
not do so is tantamount to fraud.

Windows Registry Guide is a comprehensive approach to the Windows registry. Great for the novice and expert alike.