Differences between regedit.exe and regedt32.exe
SUMMARY
Windows NT-based operating systems include two utilities for
editing the registry, Regedit.exe and Regedt32.exe. This article
describes the differences between the two utilities for each
Windows NT-based operating system.
MORE INFORMATION
Windows NT 3.x
Regedit.exe
Regedit.exe is the registration editor for 16-bit Windows. It is
used to modify the Windows registration database. The database
is located in the Windows directory as Reg.dat. The database
contains information about 16-bit applications, and is used by
File Manager for opening and printing files. It is also used by
applications that support Object Linking and Embedding (OLE).
Reg.dat is used and maintained by Windows on Windows (WOW) and
16-bit Windows applications. The WOW layer resides on top of the
Virtual DOS Machine (VDM).
Regedit.exe is a 16-bit application that is included in Windows NT for compatibility with previous 16-bit applications. Regedit provides a method for examining Reg.dat under Windows NT. You can migrate the Reg.dat database file to the Windows NT registry during the first logon to an initial installation of Windows NT.
Regedit.exe is a 16-bit application that is included in Windows NT for compatibility with previous 16-bit applications. Regedit provides a method for examining Reg.dat under Windows NT. You can migrate the Reg.dat database file to the Windows NT registry during the first logon to an initial installation of Windows NT.
Regedt32.exe
Regedt32.exe is the configuration editor for Windows NT. It is
used to modify the Windows NT configuration database, or the
Windows NT registry. This editor allows you to view or modify
the Windows NT registry. The editor provides views of windows
that represent sections of the registry, named hives. Each
window displays two sections. On the left side, there are
folders that represent registry keys. On the right side, there
are the values associated with the selected registry key.
Regedt32 is a powerful tool. You must use extreme caution when
you use it to changeregistry values. Missing or incorrect values
in the registry can make the Windows NT installation unusable.
Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000
Regedit.exe
Regedit.exe is included with Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000
primarily for its search capability. You can use Regedit.exe to
make changes in the Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 registry,
but you cannot use it to view or edit all functions or data
types on Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000.
The following limitations exist in the Regedit.exe version that is included with Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000:
The following limitations exist in the Regedit.exe version that is included with Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000:
- 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.
Microsoft recommends that you use Regedit.exe only for its
search capabilities on a Windows NT 4.0-based or Windows
2000-based computer.
Regedt32.exe
Regedt32.exe is the configuration editor for Windows NT 4.0 and
Windows 2000. Regedt32.exe is used to modify the Windows NT
configuration database, or the Windows NT registry. This editor
allows you to view or modify the Windows NT registry. The editor
provides views of windows that represent sections of the
registry, named hives. Each window displays two sections. On the
left side, there are folders that represent registry keys. On
the right side, there are the values associated with the
selected registry key. Regedt32 is a powerful tool, and you must
use it with extreme caution when you change registry values.
Missing or incorrect values in the registry can make the Windows
installation unusable.
Note Unlike Regedit.exe, Regedt32.exe does not support importing and exporting registration entries (.reg) files.
Note Unlike Regedit.exe, Regedt32.exe does not support importing and exporting registration entries (.reg) files.
Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
Regedit.exe
Regedit.exe is the configuration editor for Windows XP and
Windows Server 2003. Regedit.exe is used to modify the Windows
NT configuration database, or the Windows NT registry. This
editor allows you to view or modify the Windows NT registry. It
supports setting security on registry keys, viewing and editing
REG_EXPAND_SZ and REG_MULTI_SZ, and
saving and restoring hive files. On the left side, there are
folders that represent registry keys. On the right side, there
are the values associated with the selected registry key.
Regedit is a powerful tool. You must use extreme caution when
you use it to change registry values. Missing or incorrect
values in the registry can make the Windows installation
unusable.
Regedt32.exe
In Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, Regedt32.exe is a small
program that just runs Regedit.exe.
REFERENCES
For additional information, click the following link:
Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry
For additional information on Regedit and Regedt32, see
Help for these utilities or
Resource Kit Tools Overview Help in the Windows NT
Resource Kit.