Windows 2000 Registry for Dummies (Paperback)

~ Glenn E. Weadock (Author), Emily Sherrill Weadock (Illustrator) "Never mind that the Microsoft-supplied product documentation all but ignores the Registry; every user needs to know about the heart of Windows 2000..." (more)
Key Phrases: key pane, value pane, left windowpane, Active Directory, Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Registry hasn't gone away. It's more important than ever--and every bit as cryptic as before--in Windows 2000. Windows 2000 Registry for Dummies explains what the Registry is used for, how it works, and how you (a power user with an interest in optimizing the appearance and performance of your PC) can perform surgery on it. Throughout this book, the emphasis is on exploration and experimentation with the greatest possible degree of safety, so you're given full information on backing up the Registry before the authors show you how to start paring away at its branches and leaves.

You'll find lots of conceptual information, including a neat explanation of the Registry's logical structure and the files that hold it. But the best part of Weadock's work may be his little how-to items, such as the one that explains how to sort the items in the Start menu alphabetically and the one that automatically clears lists of recently used documents (and recently visited Web sites). Sometimes he opts for a Registry solution when a non-Registry approach exists (as in the case of getting My Computer to open in Explorer view), but that's not a problem. Overall, you'll be pleased with Weadock's approach to a Windows 2000 detail that wasn't really meant for human eyes. --David Wall

Topics covered: The purpose and operation of the Registry in Windows 2000 Professional and Windows 2000 Server, making Registry backups and restoring the Registry from them, using Registry editors (regedit.exe and regedt32.exe, especially), organizational structure, user profiles, handy tricks and customizations, and the Registry's networking effects.

Product Description

CD-ROM includes top third-party Registry utilities

Navigate the Registry with our unique fold-out map

Fine-tune your Registry with confidence — and turbocharge your system! If you're looking for an easy-to-follow road map to reliable Registry improvements, you've come to the right place. Whether you're a power user running Windows 2000 Professional or a network administrator running Windows 2000 Server, this friendly, failsafe guide delivers the tools you need to tinker with the Registry — and make your system faster, easier to use, and more secure. all this on the bonus CD-ROM RegMon freeware version — Watch Registry changes occur in real time Multi-Remote Registry Change 3.1 demo version — Make a Registry change and roll it out quickly over your network InstallWatch Basic 1.1 freeware version — Monitors changes that applications make to the operating system as they install PC with Pentium 166 or faster with 32MB RAM, Windows 2000 (any version); CD-ROM Drive (4x or faster). For complete information and system requirements, see the CD Appendix.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (January 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764504894
• ISBN-13: 978-0764504891
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,481,423 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #10 in

  Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > APIs & Operating Environments > Microsoft Windows Registry

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for beginners and the advanced, May 3, 2001

By	Daniel L. Benway (Evansville, IN USA) - See all my reviews

Frankly, with my background and credentials I was embarrassed when I bought this (a "Dummies") book. Simply put, I bought it because I was sick to death of knowing absolutely nothing about the Registry (as in *ABSOLUTELY NOTHING*) and I was sick to death of those other infernal Registry books that are six centimeters thick!

Having read Mr. Weadock's book very thoroughly cover to cover, I'm now completely familiar with the MS Registry editors, how to use multiple methods to backup and restore the entire Registry (or just parts of it), and the layout and organization of the Registry. I'm now able to do things to my W2K (and NT4) machines that can only be accomplished by editing the Registry... things that have been eluding me for over two years! I'm also finding that I now know more about the Registry and the MS editors than even my most skilled colleagues.

Please, don't be afraid of this book. It's an easy and pleasant read. But also, please don't underestimate this book... it taught me enough that I've actually put a seasoned veteran or two to shame.

Daniel L. Benway - Systems Engineer / Administrator - BS/CS, MCSE (NT4), CCNA (2.0), Network+, CLP (AD R4)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Right On Topic, July 10, 2001

By	Donald F. Proctor "Don Proctor" (Tampa, FL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is an absolute must-have for anyone embarking into an IT career. Definitely for beginners, the text covers everything you could possibly want to know about that beast called the REGISTRY. However, seasoned pros will also find some useful tidbits of knowledge tucked away in here too. The author stresses the importance of when and where to backup the registry files and he outlines several methods for accomplishing the task. Glenn Weadock guides us through the tasks of cleaning and compressing the registry to improve overall system performance. He does a fine job detailing the structure of the registry too, a read that will benefit anyone going after their MCSE. When possible, third party utilities for manipulating the registry are compared to those resident in the Windows OS; the pros and cons of each are covered in just enough detail. Beginners will enjoy this book because it's easy to read. Pros will like it because of it's organization. Easy to read and easy to use, pick this one up if you need a solid introduction to the Windows Registry.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Registry primer for Windows 2000 users, January 7, 2000

By	Kyle Looper "Acquisitions Editor" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Glenn Weadock's Windows 2000 Registry For Dummies not only explains how the Registry works in a way that's clear and understandable, it also enables you to work with the Registry safely to customize how Windows 2000 works!

If you are (like me) the kind of person who isn't satisfied to know merely that your car starts when you turn the key -- you want to also know what's going on "under the hood" and to be able to soup it up a bit -- then this book is for you!

As an editor for the For Dummies series, I have the opportunity of working with many terrific authors, but I can say, unequivocally, that Glenn Weadock goes the extra mile to ensure that his books are as accurate possible. And that's SO important when dealing with a topic like the Windows Registry.

And, believe it or not, Weadock also manages to make the subject of the Registry fun, entertaining, and accessible. I stake my reputation on it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!