Customize with Registry; why not?

from WinCustomize Forums
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?
4,352 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Risky. Harmful reg files could easily be created also.

Powered by SkinBrowser!
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.


Powered by SkinBrowser!
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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?
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.

/me thinks a foot in hot water is a foot burned...

Powered by SkinBrowser!
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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]....
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.