Where are the Windows Registry files located in Windows 11/10?

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The Windows Registry is the centralized configuration database for Windows NT and Windows 2000, likewise equally for applications. The Registry in Windows xi/10/8/7 stores information about tuning parameters, device configuration, and user preferences.

On disk, the Windows Registry isn't simply one large file, just a gear up of discrete files called hives. Each hive contains a Registry tree, which has a key that serves as the root (i.e., starting point) of the tree. Subkeys and their values reside beneath the root.

Location of Windows Registry files

The location of these registry hives are as follows:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM : \system32\config\system
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SAM : \system32\config\sam
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SECURITY : \system32\config\security
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE : \system32\config\software
HKEY_USERS \UserProfile : \winnt\profiles\username
HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT : \system32\config\default

The supporting files are as follows:

Some hives are volatile and don't take associated files. The arrangement creates and manages these hives entirely in memory; the hives are therefore temporary. The system creates volatile hives every time the system boots. Examples are:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ HARDWARE : Volatile hive
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ System \ Clone : Volatile hive

These files are database files, and merely RegEdit, Regedit32, and Kernel32 can read them. The primary tool in Windows xi/10/8/7 for working directly with the registry is Registry Editor.

Read: Make Windows automatically backup Registry.

To admission it, simply type Regedit in Offset Bill of fare Search Bar and hit Enter.

If y'all demand to read more on this, caput over to TechNet.

UPDATE: AccidentalADMIN has made a useful comment. He says:

Every Windows has a Registry Central which lists every hive in the system. Run regedit to open the Registry Editor and navigate to the following fundamental to get a complete listing:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Arrangement\CurrentControlSet\Command\hivelist

While on the topic of Registry, you might also want to see if some of these links interest you:

How to browse and edit the Registry from Explorer
How to open up multiple instances of the Registry.

Anand Khanse is the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com, a 10-year Microsoft MVP (2006-sixteen) & a Windows Insider MVP. Please read the entire post & the comments commencement, create a System Restore Point before making any changes to your arrangement & be conscientious near any 3rd-political party offers while installing freeware.