Safer Registry Handling
By default, you add a .reg file's information to the Registry when you double-click the file. Windows 98 and later versions prompt you before doing so, but Windows 95 and NT 4 add the information with no prompting. That can be dangerous--especially for trigger-happy double-clickers. If you handle .reg files frequently, it's safer and more convenient to make double-clicking a .reg file open the file in Notepad (or perform some other operation) rather than add it to your Registry.
In any Windows Explorer or folder window, choose View, Options; View, Folder Options; or Tools, Folder Options (depending on your version of Windows). Click the File Types tab. Select Registration Entries from the list of file types, and click Edit or Advanced, depending on your version of Windows. In the Edit File Type dialog box, select Edit in the Actions list and click Set Default. Click OK or Close and close the remaining dialog boxes.
The next time you double-click a .reg file, it will open in Notepad instead of being added to the Registry. (If the file is too big for Notepad, Windows will ask if you want to use WordPad instead.) When you're ready to incorporate the file into the Registry, simply right-click the .reg file and choose Merge.
Windows Tips pays $50 for published tips and questions. Scott Dunn is a contributing editor for PC World.Would you recommend this story? YES NO
-
Speed Up Everything!
PCWorld shows you the secrets to improve performance on all your hardware.
-
PCWorld on your iPad!
PCWorldDaily gives you the best from our experts each day.
-
Add Dropbox, Google Drive, or SkyDrive to Windows' Send-To Menu
-
Change What Application Loads When You Select a File
- Windows Tips: A Simple Fix for Windows' Misbehaving Folders
-
9 Easy and Powerful Windows 7 Registry Tweaks
-
Windows Tips: Customize Taskbar, Add Passwords to Folders, Zip Files
-
How to View Any File in Windows
- SpaceX's Dragon Capsule Splashes Down, Historic Mission Comes to an End The firstever docking mission of the ISS by a commercial company has come to an end, and the Dragon capsule returned to Earth safely with return-cargo onboard.
- Intel Intros Dual-Core Ivy Bridge Chips; Releases Sneak Peek of Upcoming Ultrabooks The chipmaker also ramps up the standards for Ultrabooks.
- Five Fun and Geeky Alternatives to Instagram Is Instagram too mainstream for you? Check out five alternatives for the geek that loves their photo filters.
- How to Download and Install the Microsoft Windows 8 Release Preview The latest fine-tuned beta version of Window 8 is now available for your testing pleasure. It's free.
- 12 Criteria for Selecting the Best ERP System Replacement An ERP system is your information backbone and reaches into all areas of your business and value chain. Replacing it can open unlimited business opportunities. This white paper explains the 12 criteria that allow you to identify and select the solution that will meet these expectations.
- Leveraging Social Computing Technologies for ERP Applications This white paper details how Web 2.0 technologies support business strategies by improving efficiency, productivity, and collaboration.
-
How to Make Windows and Mac OS Play Nicely Together
-
Intel Intros Dual-Core Ivy Bridge Chips; Releases Sneak Peek of Upcoming Ultrabooks
-
Windows 8 Hits Its Next Milestone -- Release Preview Is out Now
-
How to Download and Install the Microsoft Windows 8 Release Preview
-
Stop What You're Doing and Go Buy the Humble Indie Bundle
-
New Wave of Ultrabooks to Include 30 Touchscreen Models, Intel Says
-
Windows 8, Ultrabooks to Get Top Billing at Giant Asia Trade Show
-
Dell XPS One 27 Review: A Power-Packed, Pricey All-in-One
-
Cook: Apple Will 'Double Down' on Siri and Secrecy
-
Tim Cook at D10 Talks Secrecy, Siri, and Facebook
-
10 Coolest Tech Devices to Bring to Work
-
Samsung Refreshes Series 5 Chromebook, Announces Chromebox Desktop PC
Ad Choices