[BeanofJelly]

Unfortunately I had to reinstall windows because of infected system files.

Windows is stored in a separate partition to all of my other stuff so this isn't too huge a catastrophe.

However, I have a couple of problems now that it's reinstalled:

1. I want to access the registry so that I can set programs to automatically install to my second (non-windows) partition, plus any other meddling I may want to do in future.
I know how to do this and I've done it before. You use registry editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Micr osoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Pro gramFilesDir and change the value.

However, when I went to registry editor - the folders aren't available for navigation. Instead, under each main folder there is simply a single file named "default". How can I change this? The true registry files have to be there, just not visible right? In order for my computer to work?



2. All of the programs installed on the non-windows partition are confused/ don't know they're installed/ won't run etc. How do I let windows know that these programs are installed so that they will run?



Thanks. I am also searching these problems online so I will post if I find the solution!

[rmhumphries]

1) You mean that under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE all you have is default? Do you have a expand mark (looks like |>) at the start of the name? Try clicking that to expand the key, and then go to the key you want.

2) They are not installed, only their problem files exist. Most programs store settings and the likes in the registry, which when you reinstalled windows, was recreated from blank. So all the entries programs created don't exist any more. The only possible way to fix this is to run a repair install from any programs that have installers that support it. However it is likely you will need to reinstall at least some of your programs.

[BeanofJelly]

Hehe I have "solved" the regedit "problem" - I just needed to double click to open up subfolders (I thought they would be visible to the right)

[BeanofJelly]

(Original post by rmhumphries)
2) They are not installed, only their problem files exist. Most programs store settings and the likes in the registry, which when you reinstalled windows, was recreated from blank. So all the entries programs created don't exist any more. The only possible way to fix this is to run a repair install from any programs that have installers that support it. However it is likely you will need to reinstall at least some of your programs.

:'(

Do you know a way for me to save the registry before reinstalling windows (next time)?

I think spybot search and destroy saved a copy of the registry before the reinstallation - but I wouldn't know how to access it now (even if it is on the non-windows partition), and also I have a feeling that some registry files may have been infected

[BeanofJelly]

I'm also having a problem in that whilst my user account is apparently the "computer administrator" - I am currently operating in Anonymous\Owner mode, rather than as "Administrator" which I believe is disabling certain functions/ my ability to do certain things.

Rather than always having to use the "run as" option (I don't even know what the administrator password is, I haven't set one), is there a way I can permanently change myself to Administrator?

EDIT: It must be possible, because I've done it before! Just can't remember how

[BeanofJelly]

Okay I sorted everything. Thankyou one person who replied!

[rmhumphries]

(Original post by BeanofJelly)
:'(

Do you know a way for me to save the registry before reinstalling windows (next time)?

I think spybot search and destroy saved a copy of the registry before the reinstallation - but I wouldn't know how to access it now (even if it is on the non-windows partition), and also I have a feeling that some registry files may have been infected

Spybot search and destroy usually saves a copy when you install it. If your registry had issues, then you may bring back issues if you are not careful.

The registry backups are stored in %ProgramData%\Spybot - Search & Destroy\Backups. Do not just merge (the default action) for either of the files. If you edit regLocal.reg, then you can find the keys relating to the software you have installed. Then copy then out into a seperate file called something.reg, and once you have all the keys you want, you then merge (double-click or right-click, merge) that file with your local registry.

To make a backup of your registry, then in regedit, then with Computer selected, go File -> Export. Be careful if you just re-merge the file later, as you may duplicate some data, if key names or data names are different.

[BeanofJelly]

(Original post by rmhumphries)
Spybot search and destroy usually saves a copy when you install it. If your registry had issues, then you may bring back issues if you are not careful.

The registry backups are stored in %ProgramData%\Spybot - Search & Destroy\Backups. Do not just merge (the default action) for either of the files. If you edit regLocal.reg, then you can find the keys relating to the software you have installed. Then copy then out into a seperate file called something.reg, and once you have all the keys you want, you then merge (double-click or right-click, merge) that file with your local registry.

To make a backup of your registry, then in regedit, then with Computer selected, go File -> Export. Be careful if you just re-merge the file later, as you may duplicate some data, if key names or data names are different.

Thankyou. I think spybot's registry back up was stored in the same partition as windows and was destroyed when I purged it, but I will double check that there is no program data on the preserved partition just in case and your info could be useful in future. Ta.

The good thing is I've cleared a whole load of stuff I never use out of program files!