Product Description

Here's an authoritative overview of one of the least-understood aspects of Windows-the Registry. Information on this subject is hard to find, even though the registry determines default behavior for many parts of the Windows environment and is crucial to the seamless integration of new applications. This unique volume helps developers go deep into Registry features and issues. Most of all, it helps developers create well-behaved applications and give greater functionality to the Windows 95 shell. A small army of professionals need this information. And this is one of the few sources that can provide it.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #921368 in Books
• Published on: 1997-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 346 pages

Amazon.com Review
Taking a task-oriented approach to the Windows 95 Registry, Inside the Registry for Microsoft Windows 95 outlines the steps for getting Windows 95 to look or behave in certain ways, and it just may be the easiest introduction to the Registry yet. Like most Registry books, Inside the Registry begins by discussing the Registry's function and the mechanics of using Registry Editor. Author Güter Born then tackles Registry-related tasks users might want to perform, such as associating file name extensions with applications and exorcising the Inbox and Briefcase icons from the Desktop.

Thankfully, Born clearly identifies the easiest way to do these tasks; rather than merely explain which keys to delete or modify to accomplish something, he tells you when you can use a Properties sheet or a utility called Tweak UI to avoid editing the Registry directly. A special appendix deals with Windows NT Workstation 4.0. The differences between Windows 95 and Windows NT Registries are highlighted, and many of the important NT keys are documented.

Customer Reviews

Not what I expected
Inside the Registry did have a few tips, but the main focus was NOT to using the Registry. The author used Win95 desktop when ever possible to make changes. After browsing the book, I would say that the MS Resource book provided the same information.

For end-users, not developers
The blurb on the back cover claims that this book is for "application developers, system administrators and even power users" but the claims would be better stated the other way round. This is a book written by an end-user, not a Microsoft insider, and is primarily concerned with explaining Shell features of the registry that the author has "discovered". It is reasonably well organised but reads like a compendium of the tips and tricks columns that one sees in popular magazines - how to customise icons, context menus, the desktop, etc.

If you are an end-user and want a consolidated source of this sort of information this book may be for you. If you are a developer who wants to understand the logical structure of the registry and the conventions for storing your own data in it then look elsewhere.

Not for the serious developer
As mentioned in other reviews, this book is not for the serious developer. It is for an end-user. For developers I would recommend the book "Inside the Windows 95 Registry" by Ron Petrusha, published by O'Reilly and Associates.