What Functions Does The Windows Registry Serve?

Before the days of Windows 95 and Windows NT there was no central
storage location for the operating system configuration files. These
files were basically text files with a.ini extension. Without any
general repository for this data, these.ini files were strewn
throughout different areas of the computer system. With the
introduction of Windows 95 and Windows NT, around 1995, the Windows
registry was implemented. The registry is basically a database which
serves the following functions:? Stores system and program
configuration information in a central database.? Provides for greater
security.? Allows for multiple user profiles.? Enables sharing of.dll
files between programs.Previously, all information related to software
configuration and user settings was more or less strewn about the
Windows file system. Configuration files for every program were
located within each piece of software's folder or directory. Operating
system settings were located in a different directory depending upon
which OS version you were using and there was no separation of machine
and user configuration data. With the advent and implementation of the
registry, all user, software, and system configuration data is kept in
a central repository.Having one primary database responsible for all
of a computer's configuration files allows for the implementation of
security upon these files. When these.ini text files were scattered in
various places throughout the hard drive, it was basically impossible
to lock down these files. Anyone who wanted to make a change, whether
appropriate or malicious, could do so with the click of a mouse. Using
Windows NT security and the registry hierarchy, these files are now
protected not only from attackers but also from inexperienced computer
users.Other than allowing for more security and a central location for
all configuration files, probably the coolest feature of the registry
is the ability to store multiple user profiles on an individual
computer. Prior to Windows 95 and NT you could only have one set of
user settings and preferences per computer. If one person made a
change to the layout of Windows, the next person would have to work
with those changes or make his own changes. When the other user sat
back down at the PC, he would have to re-do his preferences if he
wanted them back to where they originally were. Moreover, having
separate user profiles allows for the implementation of greater
security.Finally, the registry allows for the sharing of basic linking
files, called.dll files, between multiple pieces of software.
Previously, each program would have to have its own copy of.dll files
available to it for its use. With this type of.dll sharing the
operating system is able to streamline the registry and therefore use
less hard drive space and function more efficiently.As you can see,
we've come a long way from the pre-Windows95 days. You no longer have
to keep track of individual configuration files nor do you have to
share user preferences among different users. Most importantly, your
operating system is safer thanks to registry security.