Customize with Registry; why not?
Thursday, October 17, 2002 by bad smart baby | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
We can add, remove or change options in windows and so customize it with Registry. Also we can do some jobs only with Registry that none programs can do that; i.e.: you can customize Internet Explorer by using your own window title. For example you could rename IE to 'Lovely Discoverer' or anything else you like! But that isn’t this option in Wincustomize. I know all the people can’t use “regedit.exe” to use windows registry, but if you make your files with “reg” extension, they can use registry to customize their windows only by double clicking in these files.
What do you think about this?
What do you think about this?
Aqua.
Reply #2 Thursday, October 17, 2002 6:04 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, October 17, 2002 6:04 PM
Do you have any idea just how easy it is to trash windows with regedit? I've worked tech support before and encouraging people to screw with their registry is one of the worst ideas I've heard in a long time.
I don't mean to be harsh, but this has enormous potential for disaster.
I don't mean to be harsh, but this has enormous potential for disaster.
sig101
Reply #3 Thursday, October 17, 2002 6:21 PM
Reply #3 Thursday, October 17, 2002 6:21 PM
There are indeed tweak programs (Xteq? for one if I got the name right) that allow you to customize things by tweaking the registry, like customizing the IE window title, which I did manually in regedit. However, most users emphasize caution in using even those programs since unknowledegable users can still wreak havoc on their own systems if they aren't careful.
Mucking about with the registry is not something to be done or recommended lightly. Some things may be simple and not so risky but others can be.
Mucking about with the registry is not something to be done or recommended lightly. Some things may be simple and not so risky but others can be.
bakerstreet
Reply #4 Thursday, October 17, 2002 6:54 PM
Reply #4 Thursday, October 17, 2002 6:54 PM
virtualplastic has lots of registry tweaks for those people that want to use them. I won't double click one until I have read it in notepad, but most people would click and pray, and Norton won't proofread it for them.
IMHO, the only reason to use a reg file is to save yourself time doing it yourself. Most people would use them to avoid having to learn how to do it by hand.
IMHO, the only reason to use a reg file is to save yourself time doing it yourself. Most people would use them to avoid having to learn how to do it by hand.
JamMeister33
Reply #5 Thursday, October 17, 2002 10:38 PM
Reply #5 Thursday, October 17, 2002 10:38 PM
Why bother risking disaster by manually tweaking your registry for the sake of
saving a couple of bucks by not buying specialized software?
Not many people are savvy enough to do so...
This is not something for the vast majority of people to try.
Don't be cheap, buy the software.
saving a couple of bucks by not buying specialized software?
Not many people are savvy enough to do so...
This is not something for the vast majority of people to try.
Don't be cheap, buy the software.
Delicious
Reply #6 Saturday, October 19, 2002 3:00 PM
Reply #6 Saturday, October 19, 2002 3:00 PM
On the bright side, if the registry gets messed up windows won't load and you get to make a clean install of everything.
Can you say, Backup?
Can you say, Backup?
Delicious
Reply #7 Saturday, October 19, 2002 11:03 PM
Reply #7 Saturday, October 19, 2002 11:03 PM
I edit my registry all the time by cleaning out program values that I no longer have. For instance, I removed every entry associated with AOL which I don't have and there were many entries put there by downloading partner programs.
I just rencently tried to remove everything dealing with Browserwise which I installed and didn't like. That is one plugin that is very hard to remove.
Editing the registry is not a forbidden proceedure as long as whoever is doing it knows exactly what they are doing and not just experimenting.
Some virus removals call for you to edit the registry and why put regedit in the OS if it is not to be used.
I just rencently tried to remove everything dealing with Browserwise which I installed and didn't like. That is one plugin that is very hard to remove.
Editing the registry is not a forbidden proceedure as long as whoever is doing it knows exactly what they are doing and not just experimenting.
Some virus removals call for you to edit the registry and why put regedit in the OS if it is not to be used.
Fuzzy Logic
Reply #8 Sunday, October 20, 2002 8:18 AM
Reply #8 Sunday, October 20, 2002 8:18 AM
Editing the registry is fine providing you take a back-up first. Unfortunately it's one of those areas where a lack of experience can cause a great deal of damage. A complete system back-up is a wise move.
Fuzzy Logic thinks a foot in hot water is a foot burned...
Fuzzy Logic thinks a foot in hot water is a foot burned...
Jafo
Reply #9 Monday, October 21, 2002 12:03 AM
Reply #9 Monday, October 21, 2002 12:03 AM
Considering how much 'bad press' things like LiteSTEP get from users who will swear they can RTFM and yes, they DID check all their paths, etc.....promoting that same 'clever-dick' to make use of regedit is bound to win their undying love and devotion.
It would be quicker and easier to get 'em to boot to dos and type 'format C:'[enter]....
It would be quicker and easier to get 'em to boot to dos and type 'format C:'[enter]....
Bangkokboy
Reply #10 Wednesday, October 23, 2002 2:38 PM
Reply #10 Wednesday, October 23, 2002 2:38 PM
I've used regedit just enough to figure out that I don't understand some areas of it nearly as well as I thought when I launched it. 
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Reply #1 Thursday, October 17, 2002 5:49 PM