How to open Registry Editor on Windows 10
Windows and a lot of third-party apps store their settings in the registry. There are many options (especially those for Windows itself) that you can only change in the registry. Let's open the registry editor so you can edit it!
What is Registry Editor?
The Windows registry is a hierarchical database that contains all the configurations and settings that Windows uses. Registry Editor is the application you use to view, edit, or even create different values in the database. For example, if you want to disable the lock screen on Windows 10 Home, you must open the registry editor to do so.
You should not use the registry editor unless you know what you are doing because you may corrupt your Windows operating system. However, if you find a registry hack on a trusted website, you will have to open the registry editor to make the change.
Warning: Registry Editor is a powerful tool, and misusing it can make your system unstable, or even unoperable. If you haven't worked with the registry editor before, give it a read before you start. And surely back up the registry and your computer before making any changes.
We also recommend that you create a system restore point before making any modifications. Then, if something goes wrong, you can always undo your system.
Open Registry Editor from Run Box
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type "regedit" in the text field, and then press Enter.
A User Account Control (UAC) dialog box appears asking if you want registry editor administrator privileges; click Yes and Registry Editor opens.
Open Registry Editor via Command Prompt or PowerShell
You can also open Registry Editor from a command prompt or PowerShell. It's the same for both apps, but we use PowerShell.
Open PowerShell, type "regedit", and then press Enter.
Click Yes when the UAC dialog box appears and the registry editor will open.
Open Registry Editor from File Explorer
If you prefer, you can also open the registry editor from the address bar of File Explorer. To do this, simply open "File Explorer", type "regedit" in the address bar, and then press Enter.
Click "Yes" at the UAC prompt, and the editor will open.
Open Registry Editor from the Search Start menu
If you want to open the Registry Editor from the Start menu, click the Start menu or the search icon, and then type Registry Editor in the text field.
In the search results that appear, click "Registry Editor" to launch the UAC prompt and open the editor.
Click "Yes" when the prompt appears, and the registry editor will open.
Open Registry Editor from a shortcut
If you prefer to open the registry editor from a shortcut, it is easy to create one for the desktop.
To do this, simply right-click on an empty place on the desktop. In the context menu, click New> Shortcut.
In the window that appears, type "regedit" in the text box, and then click "Next".
Name the shortcut, then click Finish to create it.
The new shortcut of the registry editor will appear on the desktop. Double-click the icon and allow application administrator privileges from the UAC prompt to open it.
If you want, you can bypass the UAC prompt altogether when you open the registry editor, or any other program that requires elevated privileges.