Where is hkey local machine software

Skip to main content. This browser is no longer supported. Download Microsoft Edge More info. Contents Exit focus mode. Applies to: Windows 10 - all editions Original KB number: Summary The registry in bit versions of Windows is divided into bit and bit keys.

View bit and bit registry keys You can view or edit both bit and bit registry keys and values by using the default bit version of Registry Editor. Note You must close the bit version of Registry Editor before you can open the bit version and vice versa unless you start the second instance of Registry Editor with the -m switch. Is this page helpful? Yes No. How do I open and edit the Windows registry? Caution Before editing or changing anything in the Microsoft Windows registry, we recommend you back up the registry.

How to open the Windows registry. How to browse the Windows registry. How to edit a Windows registry value. How to delete a Windows registry value. Windows registry shorthand and abbreviations. Additional information. Note If you have restricted access to the Windows computer you're logged in to, you may not be able to access the Windows registry. Executing the regedit command in the Run box is a quick way to get there.

Using the left arrow key will collapse whatever is currently selected. It's organized alphabetically by the software vendor and is where each program writes data to the registry so that the next time the application gets opened, its specific settings can be applied automatically so that you don't have to reconfigure the program each time it's used. It's also useful when finding a user's SID. In most configurations, the following subkeys are hidden keys, and therefore can't be browsed like the other keys under the HKLM registry hive:.

Within each database are group aliases, users, guest accounts, and administrator accounts, plus the name used to log in to the domain, cryptographic hashes of each user's password, and more. It's linked to the security database of the domain where the user is logged in, or to the registry hive on the local computer if the user is logged in to the local system domain. Some free software utilities, like PsExec by Microsoft, are able to open Registry Editor with the proper permissions to view these hidden keys.

This is important to know because some programs in some circumstances, even tools available directly from Microsoft, don't let you abbreviate the hive in registry paths.

If you're getting an error while using "HKLM," use the full path instead and see if that fixes it. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile.

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