A Tale of Two Regeds
Tech support tells me to type 'regedt32' as opposed to 'regedit' to access the registry from the command line (Start > Run). I question the use of 'regedt32,' but he says to do it anyway. Whenever I use the registry editor, I recall this incident and never look up the tale of the two regs... until now.
Regedt32.exe is an alternative registry editor available with Windows NT/2000 with features of its own. Regedt32.exe does not support importing and exporting registration entries (.reg) files. Regedit has limitations of its own as quoted here:
You cannot set the security for registry keys. You cannot view, edit, or search the value data types REG_EXPAND_SZ and REG_MULTI_SZ. If you try to view a REG_EXPAND_SZ value, Regedit.exe displays it as a binary data type. If you try to edit either of these data types, Regedit.exe saves it as REG_SZ, and the data type no longer performs its intended function. You cannot save or restore keys as hive files.
Research indicates regedit has:
- a better search tool
- bookmarking of subkeys
- opens to last edited subtree, export and import capabilities
- all keys are visible from a window similar to Windows Explorer
Regedt32 (pre-WinXP) can:
- run in read-only mode
- allows you to edit values longer than 256 characters (who wants to do that???)
- displays subtrees in their own windows
- modify access permissions to subtrees, keys, and subkeys
In WinXP and Server 2003, the two have been replaced by a new version of regedit that has features from both. Try typing 'regedit' and 'regedt32' to see what happens. They're the same. To prove it, while in 'regedit,' select 'edit' and you'll see 'permissions.' This is a feature that was only available in the old 'regedt32' and not 'regedit.'
Technically, regedt32 is a small program that runs regedit. So when typing 'regedt32,' it takes you to 'regedit.' The destination is the same either way. So type whichever is easier for you to remember. Regedit is easier for me - I had to play with the spelling of the other version until I got it right.
Now I remember that tech support was checking to see if the permissions were properly set and that was why we used 'regedt32.' However, someone forgot to update the script or tell him that it didn't matter anymore when a user had WinXP. Tech support always asks what operating system at the beginning of the call, so he knew.
More registry editor resources: Microsoft has a knowledgebase article on the differences between the two. Windows IT Library has a feature comparison chart dated 2000, so it's way old, but it will satisfy curiosity. Here's a list of registry editor alternatives for those who wish to try something different. For tweaks, tricks, and hacks, check out WinGuides' Registry Guide for Windows.
Meryl K. Evans is the Content Maven behind meryl's notes, eNewsletter Journal, and The Remediator Security Digest. She is also a PC Today columnist and a tour guide at InformIT. She is geared to tackle your editing, writing, content, and process needs. The native Texan resides in Plano, Texas, a heartbeat north of Dallas, and doesn't wear a 10-gallon hat or cowboy boots.
Latest News
 Seattle Post Intelligencer | Johnson finds plenty of faults in Tech rout Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - He also screamed up close and personal at Zach Krish after the reserve guard returned to the sideline in the third quarter after he jumped offside to blow a ... Nesbitt, Dwyer lead Ga. Tech past Jax State, 41-14 |
Dell's earnings slip despite rising sales CNNMoney.com - Gross margins measure a company's profit after subtracting the cost of sales as a percentage of total revenue, and are widely used by tech analysts as a ... |
Texas Tech poised to make BCS run Dallas Morning News, TX - Tech returns 18 starters, a staggering 10 on offense, coach Mike Leach's personal toy soldier. The Red Raiders – one of the youngest teams in the nation a ... |
Tech sports hold PA tryouts Virginia Tech Collegiate Times Online Edition, VA - The hopeful candidates gave a variety of reasons for trying out, including career advancement and personal enjoyment. |
Personal Tech: iPhone just got smarter Salt Lake Tribune, United States - By Vince Horiuchi "Crash Kart,"a Mario Kart-like driving game, is shown running on Apple's new iPhone 3G. With all the hoopla over the iPhone 3G and its new ... |
Personal Tech: ABCs of online security Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Boulder, Colorado - More than 18 million college students will head back to school this fall and nearly every one of them owns a personal computer. ... |
Crime fears drive Mexicans' increase of extreme security measures Dallas Morning News, TX - Along the Mexican border with Texas, factory workers are given personal security classes by US trainers, who tell them to alter their routes to work and ... |
AHEAD OF THE TAPE Wall Street Journal - Even as other corporate profits have ground to a halt, the tech sector generally has been a source of strength for investors, boosted by seemingly ... |
Washington Post Personal Technology Columnist Washington Post, United States - Read transcripts of Rob's past tech discussions here. Rob Pegoraro: Goooood afternoon! So nice to see so many of you here today on an August Thursday ... |
Win a $5000 Tech Makeover Courtesy of Intel! Hot Hardware, MA - Why do you want to take your personal technology to the next level? Entries will be voted on by the community (including you! ... |
Resources
-
Sorry there are no resources available at this time