Known as the Windows Registry Editor (or simply Regedit), the app shows you the structure of the Registry and all of the values it contains. While the Registry is designed to withstand deliberate and accidental tampering, Windows has an included app that lets you explore and edit the Registry. If you’re looking for the Registry settings of a specific aspect of your computer, knowing the difference between these main branches can cut down how long you have to investigate before finding what you need. HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG: This links back to the portion of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE related to current hardware configuration settings.HKEY_USERS: Contains settings for all users of the PC.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE: Also known as “HKLM,” this is where settings for hardware and software are stored, including Group Policy settings.HKEY_CURRENT_USER: Also known as “HKCU,” here are settings for the currently logged-in Windows user, such as login names and custom desktop and Start Menu settings.HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT: Also known as “HKCR,” this is where Windows interface settings such as file associations, shortcuts, and settings that support drag-and-drop functionality.

The five main branches each store a different class of settings:

Fix broken registry items