Windows Me Annoyances

Using Registry Patches

In addition to editing the Registry with the Registry Editor (see earlier in this chapter), you can make changes by using Registry patches. A Registry patch is simply a text file with the .reg extension that contains one or more Registry keys or values. If you double-click on a .reg file, the patch is applied to the Registry, meaning that the contents of the patch are merged with the contents of the Registry. This tool is especially handy for backing up small portions of the Registry or copying Registry data to someone else’s computer.

Create a Registry Patch

1. Open the Registry Editor, and select a branch you wish to use. The branch can be anywhere from one of the top level branches to a branch a dozen layers deep. Registry patches include not only the branch you select, but all of the values and subkeys in the branch. Don’t select anything more than what you absolutely need.

2. Select Export Registry File from the Registry menu, type a filename, and press OK. All of the values and subkeys in the selected branch will then be duplicated in the patch. Make sure the filename of the new Registry patch has the .reg extension.

Creating a Registry patch is the easy part; the hard part is determining the Registry keys from which you should make patches. See Section 3.6 later in this chapter for details.

Edit a Registry Patch

Since Registry patches are just plain text files, you can edit them with any plain-text editor, such as Notepad (notepad.exe). The contents of the ...