12.6 Windows 9x/2000 Registry Problems
12.6.3 Editing the Registry
End users typically will not have to edit the registry but for a computer technician, there will be times when troubleshooting responsibilities will include viewing, editing, backing up, and restoring the registry. The contents of the registry can be edited and viewed through the Registry Editors. Access the registry editors by typing REGEDIT.EXE or REGEDT32.EXE at the Run command window on the Start menu. When this command is typed there will be an interface with the registry subtrees window, allowing the search of all registry values. This allows the manual change of any needed registry values.

REGEDIT.EXE and REGEDT32.EXE
REGEDIT.EXE was initially designed to work with Windows 9x, but it will work in Windows 2000. It is recommended to use REGEDT32.EXE with Windows 2000 and REGEDIT.EXE with Windows 9x. REGEDT32 is automatically installed in the systemroot\System32 folder. REGEDIT.EXE is automatically installed in the systemroot folder. Navigate and edit the Registry manually by using these commands.

Third Party Registry Editing Tools
Navigating and editing the Windows Registry can be a difficult and confusing task, even for the most experienced technician. There is a chance of damaging the operating system beyond repair if the wrong value is edited or deleted. To make editing the Registry and easier and safer task, purchase third party Registry Editing Tools. Some examples of popular Third Party Editing tools are the Norton WINDOCTOR, McAffee "Registry Wizard", and PC Doctor OnCall. These tools provide an interface that is easier to use and navigate than that of the standard Windows registry editors.