registry

registry: A database repository for information about a computer's configuration. The registry contains information that Windows continually references during operation, such as:

• Profiles for each user
• The programs installed on the computer and the types of documents that each can create
• Property settings for folders and program icons
• What hardware exists on the system
• Which ports are being used

The registry is organized hierarchically as a tree, and it is made up of keys and their subkeys, hives, and entries.