Tech Tip: Learn the difference between Regedit and Regedt32

Certain system changes require you to modify the registry. Since editing the registry is risky, make sure that you have a verified backup before saving any changes. In addition, it's important to understand the differences between the two registry programs: Regedit and Regedt32.

• Is available in all versions of Windows since Windows 95
• Is a 16-bit Windows application
• Handles simple value types, such as REG_DWORD, REG_SZ, and REG_BINARY
• Uses an explorer style interface with all hives in a single window
• Opens at the location of the last used key
• Supports both key and value searches
• Has an executable that's located at %WinBootDir%, usually c:\Windows
• Allows importing and exporting of text-based registry files
• Doesn’t have security

• Is available only in Windows NT, 2000, XP, and 2003
• Is a 32-bit Windows application
• Handles simple value types, such as REG_DWORD, REG_SZ, and REG_BINARY
• Handles complex value types, such as REG_EXPAND_SZ, REG_MULTI_SZ, REG_RESOURCE_LIST, REG_FULL_RESOURCE_DESCRIPTOR, and REG_RESOURCE_REQUIREMENTS_LIST
• Has each hive presented in a separate window
• Opens at the root level of each hive
• Can be used to work with hive keys, such as add, delete, and modify
• Supports only key searches--can’t search on values
• Has an executable that's located at %SystemRoot%\System32, usually c:\winnt\system32
• Allows importing and exporting of binary registry files
• Allows exporting only of text-based registry files
• Optionally supports read-only and permissions security modes