The best registry hacks for Windows

With a few registry hacks, you can eliminate unnecessary gimmicks from the user interface or add additional functions to menus you have always missed. Most registry changes will not take effect until the user logs out, logs back in, or restarts.


Tip 1: Turn off shortcuts on the desktop


Windows provides the Regedit tool for direct access to the registry. You can edit entries, delete them, and add new ones. The Registry Editor does not appear in any standard Windows menu to prevent unauthorized use. Under Regedit at Start, tap Registry Editor. Alternatively, start it with the key combination [Win-R] and enter regedit.


Tip 2: Copy text file to clipboard


In Windows 8, you can find it in the system menu (right-click on the Windows logo at the bottom left and execute). Change the registry key to the left. On the right, the individual parameters are from the key, which can be edited by double-clicking. Use the right mouse button to create new values ​​or keys.


Tip 3: Turn off full HDD warning


Does it also bother you that Windows always places an arrow in the lower left corner of the program icon on desktop clusters? With small changes in the registry, you can do this. Under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ lnkfile, delete the IsShortcut parameter. Since you really need to delete something here and do not just set it to 0, it is recommended to export the relevant registry branch to a file by right-clicking the key.


Tip 4: Change manufacturer name and support info


Also delete the IsShortcut parameter in the path: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ piffile Log off once and then back on, then the arrows on the links disappear.


To restore the original state, restore the two deleted registry values, IsShortcut. Alternatively, double-click the saved reg files. Then Windows writes the contents to the registry and then resets the key.


A new context menu item copies the contents of a selected text file directly to the clipboard without having to open the file beforehand with an editor. Later, simply paste the copied content into a word processor, an e-mail or other application using the key combination [Ctrl-V].


In the registry, create a new key copytoclip under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ txtfile \ shell. Assign the string to the clipboard to the parameter (default). This is the name of the displayed menu item. Then, under this key, insert another key named command. Assign the string cmd / c clip

A speech bubble warning appears on the taskbar when less than 200 MB of free space is left on a hard disk. If you are annoying this warning, disable it. In the registry branch HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer, create a new 32Bit dword parameter named NoLowDiskSpaceChecks and set it to 1.


Windows versions preinstalled by computer manufacturers often include the manufacturer's logos, as well as links and telephone numbers for support in the system information. If this information upsets you, you can remove it in the registry or enter your own data. In the default setting of the original (non-OEM) Windows 8.1, the following registry key is blank: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ OEMInformation


Windows offers a few hidden settings in the registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop \ WindowMetrics which can influence the appearance of the windows on the classic desktop. All changes will take effect after logging out and re-logging in.


The BorderWidth and Padded-BorderWidth parameters affect the width of the window frames. You can change the values ​​within the limits shown in the table on the next page. The ScrollHeight and ScrollWidth parameters affect the width of the scrollbars, in the American


The IconSpacing and IconVerticalSpacing parameters specify the horizontal and vertical spacing of the icons on the desktop when the View / Snap to Grid options is enabled on the context menu. The IconTitleWrap parameter affects the behavior of very long names under the desktop icons. If this value is 0, longer names are truncated, and 1 is displayed in multiple lines.


Also interesting is


Readme files from freeware programs often use the file extensions.1st or.diz. Behind it are pure text files. Many unknown file types, such as protocols and configuration files, are available in pure ASCII format and can be easily viewed with a text editor.


With two new entries in the registry, Windows automatically displays the entry Edit, which opens the file in the editor, in the context menus of unknown files. This menu item appears only for text files by default. In the registry, create a new key with the name Edit under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Unknown \ shell. Assign the Edit string to the parameter (default) and create another key with the name command below this key. Assign the notepad.exe% 1 string to the (default) parameter. To remove the menu item again, delete the key from the registry.


Tip 5: WindowMetrics - Feintuning for desktop design


To encrypt a file in Windows Explorer, you need many clicks. The menu item Encryption is much easier in the context menu of all files. This menu item is internal to the system, but is not displayed by default.


Under HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced, create a new 32Bit dword value named EncryptionContextMenu, and give it the value 1. When you right-click on a file in Explorer, Context menu


If Windows has automatically downloaded updates that require a reboot after installation, a prompt will appear asking you to close all applications and restart the computer. If the user does not respond within a limited period of time, the computer restarts itself, which is sometimes very annoying. A new registry entry prevents this, and the user must restart the computer.


Tip 6: Open unknown files with editor


Tip 7: Encrypt files using context menu


Tip 8: Prevent automatic reboot after updates


Tip 9: Better System Messages when Starting and Shutting Down


Tip 10: Windows XP continues to receive updates with the Hack


The setting has no effect on optional updates. Check if the WindowsUpdate subkey exists under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Windows.


If not, create it. Create a subkey named AU. Set the 32Bit dword value NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers with the value 1.


Windows shows only a blue screen when starting and shutting down, but it covers all internal system messages that show what is happening in the background. This information can be very helpful in troubleshooting. A value in the registry will enable advanced status messages to help you keep track of the boot process and shutdown.


Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ System, create a 32Bit dword value VerboseStatus and give it the value 1.


Since Windows XP, which is still running on a quarter of all PCs, Microsoft does not provide updates anymore, many users are insecure. Shortly thereafter, an unofficial registry hack appeared on the Internet that predicted the update servers, the computer is not Windows XP, but the largely binary-compatible Windows Embedded POS-Ready 2009, which is based on XP technology and specifically for use In ticket vending machines and cash dispensers.


This version of Windows will officially still receive security updates until 2019. Apparently, this is a way to reuse your beloved XP. For the hack, you only need to create the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ WPA \ PosReady key, create the Dword value Installed, set it to 1.


Of course, this hack is anything but official, and it will only be a matter of time until Microsoft disables it. In addition, it can not be ruled out that this way, incompatible updates come to the PC, which may be more harm than good. Microsoft is therefore strongly advised against this hack.