Product Description

Get the in-depth information you need to modify—and seamlessly manage—the Windows registry. Written for IT professionals and power users, this vital resource reveals little-known registry techniques, tricks, tips, and secrets to make your job easier. Understand the inner workings of the Windows operating system—and use the registry to get Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP to run the way you want, on a single desktop or across the network. You’ll learn how to pinpoint registry settings and script registry changes, deal with registry permissions, use Windows Installer, and map Tweak UI settings. Also, find best practices for how to back up, restore, and maintain registry settings with confidence. The CD includes 100+ registry files for customizing operating system appearance and behavior, and the complete eBook. You’ll learn how to:

- Apply best practices to back up, restore, manage, and modify the registry

- Customize group and system policies to manage multiple PCs and users remotely

- Track down registry settings and script changes

- Optimize server services, including network connections and authentication

- Deploy user profiles and Microsoft Office program settings

- Configure security services, including Windows Firewall, templates, and service pack features

- Troubleshoot the registry—resolving common problems and corruption issues

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60102 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 608 pages

From the Publisher
Expert guidance and ready-to-use files and templates for modifying and managing the Windows registry.

Key Book Benefits:

Learn how to customize and manage the Windows registry—and get your systems running the way you want Apply best practices for backing up, managing, modifying, restoring, and troubleshooting the registry Get 100+ registry files and templates plus a complete eBook on the CD

About the Author
Jerry Honeycutt is a well-known author and IT consultant who has written more than 25 books, including Introducing Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Desktop Deployment Resource Kit from Microsoft Press. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and a columnist for the Microsoft Windows XP Expert Zone, Microsoft TechNet, and CNET.

Customer Reviews

For Administrators of Windows XP Professional or Windows 2003 Server Software
I purchased this book to help me create a more secure limited user environment for Windows XP Home which would also work with legacy software. After purchase I found out that the author assumes the user is administering either Windows XP Professional or Windows 2003 Server software for large groups of users. The author details how to make mass registry changes using the Group Policy Editor which is not available in Windows XP Home. This book is probably the best resource available for its intended readers. While it was not intended for use with Windows XP Home, I've gained enough knowledge from the book to be able to successfully find on the internet the writings of other authors who have already worked out the registry hacks of XP Home needed to accomplish for its administrators one user at a time the same result as that obtained for those who administer large groups of users.

Not as "in-depth" a registry learning tool as I anticipated
The back cover of this book says the following; "Understand how the Registry works -- and customize Windows to run the way you want". Also; "Get the in-depth information you need to modify -- and seamlessly manage -- the Windows registry". I purchased this book in the hope of becoming thoroughly adept in UNDERSTANDING HOW TO EDIT my own registry key values. The systems registry should not be manually altered unless you understand the ramifications of what you are doing. One wrong hex value can cause a lot of computer problems, (although System Restore can take care of most of these issues if a restore point is first created). The book may be fine for I.T. professionals but for those who want to take an intimate look inside the registry in order to examine and learn to become proficient about its innermost workings, I do not recommend this book. Less than 30 pages, (pp 3-31), cover the "Learning the Basics" of the registry. I would have liked more information such as interpreting the registry Hex values using a common Hex Editing tool and how to make MY OWN intelligent alterations based on newfound knowledge gained from reading the book. There are several registry "Hacks" in the book but it's really just a matter of copying values from the book. You aren't really told what is actually taking place when hex values are changed, (EG. Are we changing a boolean value and/or how do we know which hex values are available to be changed, etc.)There is a lack of in depth explanations on topics that I think were very relevant. I paid $64.99 CDN for this book at the time of my purchase. I don't believe that I received fair value in return. I know the price has decreased somewhat since then and because of that, it may be a worthwhile investment for those who would like some useful information about Windows Registry. Again, just remember the book is targeted towards I.T. professionals. The three stars are mainly because of what I see to be a great lack of informative in-depth content, and very brief and somewhat vague explanations. I was left hanging and had to consult other media to find answers about some of the topics which I read in this book.

Great book for professional or advanced computer person
I have been editing the registry in computer systems on a professional level since 1999. This book has cleared up allot of things I wish I knew years ago. It is concise and to the point. The index is organized well and makes it easy to find relevant information quickly. If you have ever tried to fix a complicated problem while 10 people are waiting for you to get done, you will appreciate this. Chopped full of useful information, a valuable reference for when something goes wrong and the normal rules of the game don't apply anymore.

Stephen