blog: the registry part I

nikos · Moderator Joined: 07 Feb 2002 Posts: 12397 Location: UK

here's the comment area for today's blog post found at
www.zabkat.com/blog/11May08.htm

pschroeter · Bronze Member Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 96

I notice no one has posted here yet but I really found this topic very helpful and look forward to more. I still haven't figured out why it is necessary to have any program information outside of the program's folder in the Program folder, unless Windows needs it when Windows starts up.

I would also like to suggest you write something about scripting. I get the impression that Windows has a powerful macro language(s?) built in, but I can't seem to wrap my mind around it.

johngalt · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject:

When you uninstall a program, typically the folder is deleted. If you alter reinstall the program your settings would be lost.

Mind you, that is only one reason....
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FrizzleFry · Gold Member Joined: 16 Oct 2005 Posts: 465

The install location is usually only writable by users with admin privileges so normal users cannot update a configuration file there. Also you generally want different users to have separate configuration files. The two common ways to store user specific configuration info is to put it in HKCU (registry) or Application Data in the user's profile folder (file).

Michaelm · Member Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 20 Location: Netherlands

johngalt · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 9:43 pm Post subject:

Not to HKey Current Users.
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wasker · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: I enjoyed this post

johngalt · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 6:52 pm Post subject:

Well, not technically - the rights to writing to folders under Program Files is restricted to administrators - but most programs run with lower privileges, thus most program are not able to write to their installation folders without first gaining administrative privileges.
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wasker · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject:

johngalt, from the user's perspective this means that Program Files folder is read-only. Smile

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You gotta hear that: http://www.getfugitive.com

I'm using Xplorer2 - the only file manager that does not suck. Actually, it rocks!

nikos · Moderator Joined: 07 Feb 2002 Posts: 12397 Location: UK

more on the registry next week -- unless i get caught up basking in the sun again Smile

johngalt · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 6:40 pm Post subject:

@wasker - Unless said user has disabled UAC....

@nikos - bask away!!! you deserve it!!!
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