blog: the registry part I

Post by **nikos** » 2008 May 11, 08:06

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

pschroeter · Post by **pschroeter** » 2008 May 17, 21:37

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 · Post by **johngalt** » 2008 May 17, 21:59

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....

FrizzleFry · Post by **FrizzleFry** » 2008 May 17, 22:30

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 · Post by **Michaelm** » 2008 May 17, 22:55

FrizzleFry wrote: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).

Don't you need admin privileges to write to the registry then ?!?

johngalt · Post by **johngalt** » 2008 May 18, 01:43

Not to HKey Current Users.

wasker · Post by **wasker** » 2008 May 18, 16:54

pschroeter wrote: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.

Because more than one user might use Windows PC, so having a configuration file in one place won't allow them to personalize their experience with program (see: User Profiles). Besides, due to security reasons everything under Program Files is read-only for users (even for admins under Vista IIRC).

johngalt · Post by **johngalt** » 2008 May 18, 22:52

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.

wasker · Post by **wasker** » 2008 May 18, 23:33

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

Post by **nikos** » 2008 May 19, 08:27

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

johngalt · Post by **johngalt** » 2008 May 19, 22:40

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

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

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blog: the registry part I

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