What is Windows Registry?

The registry is a central hierarchical database used in Microsoft Windows 98, Windows CE, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista used to store information that is necessary to configure the system for one or more users, applications and hardware devices.

Windows registry is a database or central repository of configuration and parameters used by OS and various applications and softwares installed on the Windows Operating System (OS). Windows Registry is proprietary to Microsoft Windows OS alone. Windows registry replaces the need for .ini files methodology of storing application configuration parameters. It typically stores the entire windows configuration, hardware profiles, software profiles, user profile configurations and much more. With every install and uninstall programs in your computer, you make changes to the registry. Over time, the registry becomes cluttered and causes all sorts of PC performance problems.