Vista Registry Help Needed Please

Hello- I am an intermediate level computer user and am interested in starting to learn the basics of the Vista and/or XP registry. I am having some trouble finding good books or websites that have good easy to understand information for someone who is relatively new to the Microsoft Registry(I have a basic understanding of what the registry is and does and have made a few minor edits). I have found the following books but they seem geared more for IT Pro's. Can anyone suggest any resources that might help me top start to learn about the registry?? I already know all the dire warnings about messing with the registry....I am ready to tackle it. Any info anyone could provide would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

Here are the books I have already found....if anyone can suggest anything else that would be great....

Mastering the Windows XP Registry by Hipson
Microsoft Windows Registry Guide by Honeycutt
Windows XP Registry: A complete Guide to Customizing and Optomizing Windows XP

 

Well, part (all?) of your problem is looking for registry books for the beginner. The registry is complex, and is not designed, nor meant for, beginners to be messing with it. Thats why you are finding much material geared towards professionals and advanced users.

Maybe if you could tell us what you want to know about the registry so we know where to start looking?

 

I don't know of an elementary book entirely on the registry. You need to look in more general XP /Vista books for guidance/introduction.

Windows XP (Vista) annoyances for Geeks by Karp
Windows XP (Vista) in a nutshell by Karp

Windows XP hacks (no Vista version yet) by Gralla

all have reasonable chapters devoted to the registry and its operations.

Since the Windows registry is not new for each new version, but has developed over time an older book contains a long section midway between the O'Reilly books above and the Hipsons & Honeycutts.

Windows 2000 Server by Strebe.

 

Thanks for your suggestions guys....I appreciate the help.