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Windows Registry
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<p>The Windows Registry is a <a href="/facts/Hierarchical_database/vLzcNqVo">hierarchical database</a> that stores <a href="/facts/High-_and_low-level/gGdp1JAl">low-level</a> settings for the <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Microsoft Windows</a> operating system and for applications that opt to use the registry. The <a href="/facts/Kernel_(operating_system)/uEj4U3Rz">kernel</a>, <a href="/facts/Device_driver/rDYnHU1G">device drivers</a>, <a href="/facts/Windows_service/qzNquuK6">services</a>, <a href="/facts/Security_Accounts_Manager/2jEcKSWm">Security Accounts Manager</a>, and <a href="/facts/Graphical_user_interface/wBlQFWDP">user interfaces</a> can all use the registry. The registry also allows access to <a href="/facts/Instrumentation_(computer_programming)/XXmEttjR">counters</a> for profiling system performance. </p><p>In other words, the registry or Windows Registry contains information, settings, options, and other values for programs and hardware installed on all versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems. For example, when a program is installed, a new subkey containing settings such as a program's location, its version, and how to start the program, are all added to the Windows Registry. </p><p>When introduced with <a href="/facts/Windows_3.1/zYnWyaC6">Windows 3.1</a>, the Windows Registry primarily stored configuration information for <a href="/facts/Component_Object_Model/2DtIAufW">COM</a>-based components. <a href="/facts/Windows_95/1E1L93qC">Windows 95</a> and <a href="/facts/Windows_NT/EtccWvxQ">Windows NT</a> extended its use to rationalize and centralize the information in the profusion of <a href="/facts/INI_file/3QR1Etqo">INI files</a>, which held the configurations for individual programs, and were stored at various locations. It is not a requirement for Windows applications to use the Windows Registry. For example, <a href="/facts/.NET_Framework/J6QDAUhP">.NET Framework</a> applications use <a href="/facts/XML/clNgUfWk">XML</a> files for configuration, while <a href="/facts/Portable_application/BKGBS4rR">portable applications</a> usually keep their configuration files with their <a href="/facts/Executable/VSst9eLA">executables</a>. </p>