RegCool - Help File
RegCool is an extremely flexible editor for the Windows registry database
Advanced Registry Editor: RegCool is an extremely flexible editor for the Windows registry database. The program offers an attractive interface, convenient context menus and a practical toolbar that puts extensive editing functions at your fingertips. RegCool provides the complete functionality of Windows' own Regedit, but adds a number of additions. A bookmark editor highlights keys and allows you to add short notes to them - making it easy to return to hard-to-reach keys. Find and replace, remote editing, key import and export, comparison of registry keys, RegShot function, backup and restore as well as a multi-level undo function are among the numerous additions that RegCool has to offer.
Find & replace - Search and replace registry keys, values and data with a very fast search algorithm. In the search results, the search term can be replaced with another term.
Compare - Very fast comparison of registry keys from different computers.
RegShot function - Comparison of two snapshots of registries.
Cut, Copy & Paste - Cut, copy and paste registry keys and values.
Backup & Restore - Complete backup and restore of the registry.
Defragmentation - Repairs structural defects, frees up unused memory and increases system performance.
Favorites management - Simple and effective management of favorites.
Multiple opening - Multiple opening of local registries.
Hidden keys - Opening hidden keys.
Caution:
Incorrect editing of the registry can cause serious computer damage. Before making changes to the registry, make a backup of all important computer data.
RegCool startup behavior
In the options you can set the default startup of RegCool:
Registry
The registry is a database that contains system configuration information for the operating system and consists of two parts: The first part contains configuration data for the entire Windows installation, the second part contains all user-specific information and settings. Registry entries are created in a tree structure in keys, all of which are derived from some master keys.
The registry is divided into five logical sections, which are further divided into subsections and keys. Registry sections: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, HKEY_CURRENT_USER, HKEY_USERS and HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG.
Overview of keys
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT HKCR Information about the various COM objects and file types. This includes the description, the icon and the associated application.
Merging of subkeys in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes and HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
HKEY_CURRENT_USER HKCU Admins: Full access, User: Full access (to own) User profile of the currently logged in user, link to subkey of HKEY_USERS
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE HKLM Admins: Full access, User: Read only. Settings and information shared by all users are stored here.
HKEY_USERS HKU Admins: Full access, User: Access only to own. Contains the root of all user profiles on the computer. Settings and information that are unique to the specific Windows user are stored here.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG HKCC Admins: Full Control, User: None currently used hardware profile, links to subkey of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Registry Data Types
REG_BINARY Raw binary data. Most information about hardware components is stored as binary data and displayed in hexadecimal format in Registry Editor.
REG_DWORD Data represented by a number.
REG_EXPAND_SZ Expandable string.
REG_MULTI_SZ Multi-string. Values that contain lists or multiple values in plain text are usually of this type.
REG_SZ This is a sequence of characters that represent plain text.
To add a registry key
On the registry tree (on the left), click the registry key under which you want to add a new key.
On the Edit menu, point to New Key.
Type a name for the new key, and then press ENTER.
To add a value to a registry key entry
Click the key or entry to which you want to add the new value.
On the Edit menu, point to New Value, and then click the type of value you want to add: String, Binary, DWORD, Multi-String Value, or Expandable String Value.
Type a name for the new value, and then press ENTER.
To rename a registry key or value
Click the key or entry you want to rename.
On the Edit menu, click Rename.
Type the new name, and then press ENTER.
To delete a registry key or value
Click the key or entry you want to delete.
On the Edit menu, click Delete.
To change a value
Select the entry you want to change.
On the Edit menu, click Modify.
In the Value data box, enter the new data for the value, and then click OK
To add a registry key to Favorites
Identify the registry key you want to add to Favorites.
On the Favorites menu, click Add to Favorites.
The registry key is added to the Favorites list.
To copy a registry key name
Open Registry Editor.
Click a registry key in the Registry tree (on the left).
On the Edit menu, click Copy Key Name.
Paste the registry key name into another program or document.
Finding data in the registry
On the Edit menu, click Find.
In the Find what field, type the string, value, or key you want to find.
Select the check boxes you want for the search, such as Keys, Values, Data, and Match entire string, and then click Find.
After the search is complete, all results are listed in a list that you can sort by name, key, or type as you wish.
Replacing in the search results
In the search results, click Replace.
In the Replace dialog, enter the search term, and under Replace, enter the term you want to replace. Select the Search Keys, Search Values, Search Data, and Match Case, Match entire string check boxes to match the type of search you want. Click OK.
NOTE:
Binary values are not replaced.
To connect to a registry over the network
On the File menu, click Connect to Network Registry.
In the Select Computer dialog box, enter the name of the computer whose registry you want to connect to.
To disconnect from a network registry
Close the associated window.
To compare the contents of two keys
Specify the open registry of the first key.
Specify the first key to compare.
Specify the open registry of the second key.
Specify the second key to compare.
Click Compare Registries.
Offline Registry
RegCool is able to treat a set of registry hive files as a separate standalone registry. Specify a folder containing registry hive files and load specific files from that folder as hives. The following files are loaded as corresponding subkeys of HKEY_CURRENT_USER: ntuser.dat, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE: SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, SYSTEM and HKEY_USERS: .DEFAULT. Only the following names are recognized in this folder: ntuser.dat, SAM, Security, Software, System and DEFAULT. If you want to load other hive files, simply e.g. rename the XYZ file to DEFAULT or Security and open it. Viewing and editing the key security information is not implemented.
Click Open Offline Registry.
Specify the folder where the hive files are located.
Also individual HIVE files can be loaded under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER key
Edit .REG and .HIVE files offline
Click New Registry.
Create keys and values offline, import .reg or .hive files and save them as .reg or .hive files after editing.
NOTE: When closing the active tab, you have the option to save open keys as .hive files.
Opening .reg files offline via the Explorer context menu
Command line arguments
Command line option syntax
/h Help file output
/j [regpath] Opens RegCool and jumps to the key [regpath].
/edit [filepath] RegCool opens the .reg file [filepath] in a new window offline for editing.
/s Silent mode. Performs an action without stopping for confirmation with a dialog box.
/m Opens an additional RegCool instance that can be useful for troubleshooting to compare registry entries.
/export [filepath] [regpath] Exports a registry key [regpath] to a file with the extension .reg [filepath].
/d [regpath] Removes a registry key [regpath] from the registry.
/import [filepath] Imports a registry file [filepath] into the Windows registry.
/s [filepath] Imports a registry file [filepath] into the Windows registry without confirmation.
/qc [server1;server2] Quickly connects to a remote registry.
Example: RegCool /export c:\temp.reg "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel"
Example: RegCool /edit "c:\myfolder\temp.reg"
How to create a snapshot of the registry
Determine the registry that is open.
Determine whether the entire registry or only a partial branch should be taken into account.
Click Create Shot 1.
After making changes to the registry (e.g. installation), click Create Shot 2.
Click Compare Registries.
How to create a backup of the registry
On the Tools menu, click Backup & Restore Local Registry.
Click Create Backup.
Determine the hives to be backed up and click OK.
How to restore the registry
On the Tools menu, click Backup & Restore Local Registry.
Select the backup you created previously.
Click Restore and follow the instructions.
Keyboard shortcuts
Ctrl+F Opens the Find dialog box.
F1 Displays RegCool Help
F2 Renames the selected subkey or value
F5 Refreshes the key and value panes
F10 Opens RegCool's main menu
Ctrl+Shift+F10 Displays the context (right-click) menu for the selected subkey or value
Alt+F4 Closes RegCool
TAB Switch between the Key, Value, History, Search 1, Search 2, Compare, Favorites, and Reg Compare panes.
Ctrl+Shift+T reopens the last closed tab.
F6 Switch between the open registry tabs
Keypad + (NUM +) Expands the children of the selected subkey
Keypad - (NUM -) Collapses the children of the selected subkey
Keypad * (NUM *) Expands all subkeys of the selected branch (this takes a few seconds if there are many subkeys).
Ctrl+C Copies the selected keys and values
Ctrl+X Cuts the selected keys and values
Ctrl+V Pastes the selected keys and values
Ctrl+E Exports the current key or entire registry to a file
Ctrl+Z Undoes the last action
Ctrl+Y Redoes the previously undone action
Ctrl+K Creates a new key
Del Deletes the selected items
Ctrl+A Selects all contents
Ctrl+L Opens a new local registry
Ctrl+N Creates a new local registry file
Ctrl+O Loads an offline registry from a folder
Ctrl+D Loads an offline registry from a file
Enter Opens the selected value for editing
F7 Closes the active tab
Up arrow Selects the previous subkey
Down arrow Selects the next subkey
Right arrow Expands the selected subkey if it is collapsed; otherwise, it selects its first child
Left arrow Collapses the selected subkey if it is expanded. otherwise the parent of the subkey is selected
Home Selects the top subkey of the key range
End Selects the top subkey of the key range
Ctrl+Shift+B Create new REG_BINARY value
Ctrl+Shift+D Create new REG_DWORD value
Ctrl+Shift+S Create new REG_SZ value
Ctrl+Shift+M Create new REG_MULTI_SZ value
Ctrl+Shift+E Create new REG_EXPAND_SZ value
Ctrl+Shift+G Create new REG_DWORD_BIG_ENDIAN value
Ctrl+Shift+Q Create new REG_QWORD value
Ctrl+Shift+R Create new REG_RESOURCE_LIST value
Ctrl+Shift+F Create new REG_FULL_RESOURCE_DESCRIPTOR value create
Ctrl+Shift+T Create new REG_RESOURCE_REQUIREMENTS_LIST value
Installer command line
RegCool.exe /si This performs a silent installation with default options. (quiet)
RegCool.exe /Dir= Replace the default folder with a custom installation path.
Additional parameters
/re create system restore point
/st create start menu entries
/de create desktop shortcut
/la start program after installation
/up automatically check for updates
/us install for all users
/lg install with a language file identified by an ID (RegCool.exe /lg=lang_en)
RegCool.exe /si /dir=C:\DirectoryToInstall /re /st
would silently install RegCool.exe in the C:\DirectoryToInstall folder, create a system restore point and create start menu entries
ID language file identifiers
lang_de = German
lang_en = English
lang_fr = French
lang_es = Spanish
lang_hu = Hungarian
lang_pt = Portuguese
lang_nl = Dutch
lang_ru = Russian
lang_cs = Chinese (simplified)
lang_ct = Chinese (traditional)
lang_hi = Hindi
lang_jp = Japanese
lang_it = Italian
lang_tr = Turkish
lang_ar = Arabic
lang_ko = Korean
lang_sl = Slovenian
lang_bg = Bulgarian
lang_pl = Polish
lang_sw = Swedish
lang_pk = Urdu – Pakistan
lang_bd = Bengali (India)
lang_vn = Vietnamese
lang_su = Swahili
lang_id = Indonesian
lang_no = Norwegian
lang_dk = Danish
lang_gr = Greek
lang_fi = Finland
lang_th = Thailand
lang_uz = Uzbekistan
lang_hr = Croatia
lang_lv = Latvia
lang_ee = Estonia
Supported RegEx operators for searching
. Period, matches any single character except a newline.
^ Caret, matches the beginning of the line or string the regular expression is searching.
$ Dollar, matches the end of the line or string the regular expression is searching.
* Asterisk, matches zero or more + Plus, matches one or more
? Question, matches zero or any of the preceding characters.
{n} Matches the preceding expression exactly n times.
{n,} Matches n or more times
{n,m} Matches the preceding expression at least n times and at most m times.
[abc] Matches any of a, b, and c.
[^abc] A caret ^ at the beginning of the square bracket means "not," in which case it matches anything except a, b, or c.
[a-zA-Z] Character ranges, the character set of the ranges { a-z | A-Z }
\s Matches a space, \t \f \r \n \v and spaces
\S Matches a non-space character.
\w Matches an alphanumeric character., [a-zA-Z0-9_]
\W Matches a non-alphanumeric character.
\d Matches a digit [0-9].
\D Matches a non-digit.
| OR operator (|): For example, the regular expression four|4 accepts the strings "four" or "4".