Many kinds of registry values exist, all of which are explained below.
Where Are Registry Values Located?
String Value
String values are indicated by a small red icon with the lettersabon them.
These are the most commonly used values in the registry, and also the most human-readable.
They can contain letters, numbers, and symbols.
For example, another string value located in the Keyboard subkey is called InitialKeyboardIndicators.
These aren’t the only types of string values in the registry.
Others may point to the path of a file or folder, or serve as descriptions for system tools.
Environment variablesare good examples of expandable string values:
The TMP expandable string value is %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp.
By default, Windows uses this variable to reveal a path like C:\Users\Tim\AppData\Local\Temp.
Binary Value
The above path is found in the registry, with CaptionFont being the binary value.
Their values can be expressed in either decimal or hexadecimal format.
An app will create the proper registry value that it needs to comply with these bit length rules.
Instead, you must make a backup of the registry key that the value is in.
See our article onhow to back up the Windows Registryif you need help doing this.
When Would I Need to Open/Edit Registry Values?
You might also change registry values to tweak program parameters or disable an tool’s features.
Sometimes, you’ll need to open registry values simply for information purposes.
In other words, it’s completely safe toopenany registry value in the Windows Registry.
However,editingvalues without first knowing what you’re doing, is a bad idea.
UsingCommand Prompt, you might delete and add registry keys with thereg deleteandreg addcommandswitches.
The maximum size for all registry values within a registry key is limited to 64 kilobytes.
