The registry editor is basically a bookshelf that maintains a record of all basic to high-end operations being executed on Windows. For each function that you perform, it generates a separate entry. In short, the registry holds key to different policies, services, apps, or even hardware components. However, at times, you might not locate a specific entry at its key location. This is when you need to create a new registry entry so as to tweak the system settings.
For instance – Suppose you are encountering an error code that could easily be resolved by modifying a DWORD entry. But when you reach out to its path location, you don’t find the suggested REG file there. In such cases, creating new registries becomes quite a necessity. In this post, we have elaborated on how to create a new entry, tweak it, and check if that registry works.
Note: Make sure to create a backup of the entire registry database on your computer. In case anything goes wrong, you may use this backup to restore default registry keys and their values.
Create a New Registry Entry on Windows 11
To create a new entry on the registry editor in Windows 11, use these steps –
- Initiate the Run dialog by pressing Win + R.
- Type “
regedit” in the text field and hit OK. - The user account control window will appear next, tap Yes to authorize opening the registry editor.
- When it does, navigate to the path where you would like to generate a new DWORD entry or a key.
Now that you have reached the desired location, decide what you are going to create i.e. a simple key or a REG file.
- To create a key, right-click on the specific folder and proceed as follows – New > Key.
- Similarly, to create an entry, right-click anywhere on the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit Value).
If you don’t want to go this way, you may use an alternate approach. However, make sure to know what different terms mean inside the registry –
Key: A key is basically a sub-folder.
DWORD: As opposed to the above, this is mainly a single file. You may create it as per your system configuration i.e. 32-bit or 64-bit. Once you have generated a DWORD entry, the created one possesses the REG_DWORD type.
Now that you know what different terms imply on the registry, here’s how to use the alternate method –
- On the registry, select a folder and go to the Edit tab.
- Select New and then choose whichever option suits you the most.
Next, right-click on the newly created registry entry and hit Modify. Change its name or Value Date Field as per your requirements.
You may close the registry editor so that changes made come into effect from the next login.
What is a registry entry?
A registry entry is basically the REG file (short for registration entries). These entries are text-based human-readable files for exporting and importing portions of the registry using an INI-based syntax.
After the release of Windows 2000 and new versions, all the entries contain the string Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 at the beginning and are Unicode-based.
