Configuration Files

1
Configuration Files

• CGS2564

2
DOS

• Config.sys
• Device drivers
• Memory configuration
• Autoexec.bat
• Run programs, DOS commands, etc.
• Environment settings
• File types
• Pure text files
• Edit with DOS Editor, Notepad, etc.

3
Window 3.X

• System.ini
• Hardware settings
• Win.ini
• Windows settings
• Application settings
• File types
• Pure text files
• Edit with DOS Editor, Notepad, etc

4
Window 3.X

• Private .ini files
• Used by programs to store their information
• Netscape.ini
• Encarta.ini
• Etc.
• Where located?
• Applications folder
• Windows folder
• Or might store entries in Win.ini instead
• Still used by some programs.

5
Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP

• Config.sys, Autoexec.bat, Win.ini, System.ini
• Important only for legacy devices/programs
• Backward compatibility
• Registry
• A database
• A central location for all Windows information
• Hardware
• Windows settings
• Application settings
• Etc.

6
Where are These files?

• Autoexec.bat and Config.sys
• Root directory of boot drive
• System.ini and Win.ini
• Windows folder
• Registry
• C\Windows\system32\config
• Most files
• C\Documents and Settings\User Name
• NTUSER.DAT

7
C\Windows\system32\config
A Hive
8
Changing the Registry

• Changes when you
• Change desktop settings
• Use Control Panel
• Install hardware
• Install software
• Change software settings
• Etc.
• Edit with Regedit or Regedt32
• Not pure text files
• Cant use Notepad

9
Registry Editor
10
Registry Keys

• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
• Registered file types and their properties
• Registered objects such as My Computer and the
  Recycle bin
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER
• User profile
• Configuration settings for the current user
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
• Configuration specific to the computerirrespectiv
  e of the user
• HKEY_USERS
• User profile settings for all users
• HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
• Hardware profile used on the computerat system
  startup

11
Backing up the Registry

• Can not just copy the files!(are in use by
  Windows)
• Backup Utility
• Backup the System State
• Automated System Recovery
• Create full System Backup and ASR disk
• System Restore
• Create Restore Point before editing Registry
• Export the Registry

12
Exporting the Registry

• Best Method
• Quickest, easiest to do
• Easiest to restore
• Most flexible
• Can do entire Registryor just specific keys
• Regedit
• Export Registry File
• Creates a .REG file
• To Restore
• Import Registry File
• Our double clickon .REG file