Enabling system, network, and security administrators to master Registry concepts and architecture, this book provides a historical overview of the Registry and outlines the differences between Windows 9x/ME and Windows NT/2000/XP/.NET Registries. Special attention is given to the enhancements in Registry architecture introduced with Windows XP and .NET such as faster queries and removal of the registry size limitation. Administrators are shown how to properly use Registry features, plan and implement the most appropriate Registry backup strategy, and monitor and modify the system registry according to the administrative requirements and the security policy adopted by the organization with respect to the needs of end-users.

Total coverage is provided of the Windows XP and Windows .NET reliability enhancements such as Volume Snapshot Service, Windows File Protection, Automated System Restore, Driver Rollback, and Recovery Console. Advanced topics include Plug and Play implementation; device management including support for Smart devices such as Pocket PC, SmartPhone 2002, and Tablet PC; power management feature; and the role of the system Registry in the boot process.

Quite often, one may hear users say "I hate Windows registry because it is rather cryptic, contains tons of redundant information, and makes the system vulnerable, since Windows can't run without it". If you hate the Windows registry too, I will not try to convince you to love it. After all, most people tend to hate a thing that they can't properly understand. I can also agree that this opinion is partially valid, because the registry actually is cryptic, difficult to understand, and really is required for the system to run.

However, from this point of view, a human being is also very far from perfect, since the human body doesn't live without a brain (and even if someone supported this life artificially, how miserable it would be!). What I am really after is helping you understand the registry. Therefore, I didn't try to describe all known registry tips and tricks. Rather, I tried to explain how these tricks work and why they work at all. I think that when you have a sound understanding of the registry architecture, structure, and data types, you'll soon be able to discover such tricks yourselves.

TABLE OF CONTENT:
Chapter 01 - Windows Server 2003 Registry Overview
Chapter 02 - Registry Backup and Recovery
Chapter 03 - Using Registry Editor
Chapter 04 - Customizing the System with the Registry
Chapter 05 - How the Registry Stores Hardware Information
Chapter 06 - Registry and the System Boot Process
Chapter 07 - Software Settings in the Registry
Chapter 08 - Network Settings in the Registry
Chapter 09 - Protecting the Registry
Chapter 10 - Managing the User Environment
Chapter 11 - Active Directory Settings in the Registry
Chapter 12 - Troubleshooting Common Problems
Chapter 13 - Advanced Troubleshooting Topics
Chapter 14 - Third-Party Registry Utilities
Chapter 15 - Registry Programming