Title:

A Tale of Two Regeds: Registry editors

Word Count:
499

Summary:
Tech support tells me to type 'regedt32' as opposed to 'regedit' to access the
registry from the command line (Start > Run). I question the use of 'regedt32,' but
he says to do it anyway. Whenever I use the registry editor, I recall this incident
and never look up the tale of the two regs... until now.

Keywords:
registry editor, regedit, reged, windows, microsoft windows, computer, pc

Article Body:
Tech support tells me to type 'regedt32' as opposed to 'regedit' to access the
registry from the command line (Start > Run). I question the use of 'regedt32,' but
he says to do it anyway. Whenever I use the registry editor, I recall this incident
and never look up the tale of the two regs... until now.

Regedt32.exe is an alternative registry editor available with Windows NT/2000 with

features of its own. Regedt32.exe does not support importing and exporting
registration entries (.reg) files. Regedit has limitations of its own as quoted
here:

"You cannot set the security for registry keys. You cannot view, edit, or search
the value data types <>REG_EXPAND_SZ and <>REG_MULTI_SZ. If you try to view a
<>REG_EXPAND_SZ value, Regedit.exe displays it as a binary data type. If you try to
edit either of these data types, Regedit.exe saves it as <>REG_SZ, and the data
type no longer performs its intended function. You cannot save or restore keys as
hive files."

Research indicates regedit has:</p>

<ul>
<li>a better search tool</li>
<li>bookmarking of subkeys</li>
<li>opens to last edited subtree, export and import capabilities</li>
<li>all keys are visible from a window similar to Windows Explorer</li>
</ul>
<p>Regedt32 (pre-WinXP) can:</p>
<ul>
<li>run in read-only mode</li>
<li>allows you to edit values longer than 256 characters (who wants to do
that???)</li>
<li>displays subtrees in their own windows</li>
<li>modify access permissions to subtrees, keys, and subkeys</li></ul>

In WinXP and Server 2003, the two have been replaced by a new version of regedit
that has features from both. Try typing 'regedit' and 'regedt32' to see what
happens. They're the same. To prove it, while in 'regedit,' select 'edit' and
you'll see 'permissions.' This is a feature that was only available in the old
'regedt32' and not 'regedit.'

Technically, regedt32 is a small program that runs regedit. So when typing

'regedt32,' it takes you to 'regedit.' The destination is the same either way. So
type whichever is easier for you to remember. Regedit is easier for me - I had to
play with the spelling of the other version until I got it right.

Now I remember that tech support was checking to see if the permissions were
properly set and that was why we used 'regedt32.' However, someone forgot to update
the script or tell him that it didn't matter anymore when a user had WinXP. Tech
support always asks what operating system at the beginning of the call, so he knew.

More registry editor resources: Microsoft has a knowledgebase article on the

differences between the two. Windows IT Library has a feature comparison chart
dated 2000, so it's way old, but it will satisfy curiosity. Here's a list of
registry editor alternatives for those who wish to try something different. For
tweaks, tricks, and hacks, check out WinGuides' Registry Guide for Windows.