Thanks for the update Dragonlair..... :)
Honestly Little Maggit, the registry isn't as complex as you think. If you're not sure, create a backup/restore point first. Also every key you delete you can first export it to an executable registry file, so, if it turns out that you deleted something wrongly just clicking on the registry file you create will load it back up into the registry (see more informastion below about this). To create one of these 'exported' registry files just right click on whatever part of the hive (from the left hand pane) you intend deleting and select export. A small window appears where you can name the file and direct it to wherever you want to save it (see the third image below).
To search for things go to the edit section and select find. Then type in the key words. Make sure you first click on the top hive otherwise only part of the registry will be searched. i.e. see images below - I've given a more in depth explanation under the first image:
When first opening the registry it may look like this. Always click on the computer icon to the left of where it says Computer (at the top of the hives). If you can't see anything else click on the inward pointing arrow next to the computer icon to open up the five main hives. The arrow will then point in a partially downward position to denote the computer hives are open.
Clicking on the computer ensures the search starts from the beginning of the registry. If you've previously been editing etc, you may find it starting part way through. Not ensuring you are starting from the beginning will preclude any entries before that point i.e. not all of the registry will be searched.
If you can't see the H_KEYS just click on the little arrow at the side of the computer icon to open the four hives HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, HKEY_CURRENT_USER, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, HKEY_USERS, and HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
The above selection is just for example. I chose Bohemia Interactive (one of my favorite developers). As you open up the HKEY hives you'll see masses of folders , each with nested fdolders within. Sometimes you may have to edit actual values. to do this you go to the right hand side of the editor and slick on the appropriate named key (I've not posted any examples. You can easily find info on the net)
Registry Export window - name the file then select a place you want top keep the files until deletion. A good place is your documents folder. Give the folder a suitable name lie.g. Executable registry files
The above icon is the way it's saved on my computer. Generally Registry keys are saved (when exported) and look like the symbol for the registry (i.e. small square blocks stacked as a cube, with the top right disintigrating - see image below)
Executable Registry Icon
When saving the file it may be saved either as a registry file or a notebook file (This depends on whether you've previously used notebook to read what's in a registry file. It's also a handy way of making changes to a registry key without having to edit via the registry editor. Once you've made the changes you can then add the keys as expalianed above (i.e. right click and select 'Open with' - then select Registry editor). If it's a notebook file like the one in the last image above, to place it back into the registry right click on it and select 'Open with' then select Registry Editor). That will place the saved keys into the registry. (files are usually saved as a proper registry files so you should only have to click on it). I wanted to read my registry files to see what was written and haven't been able to convert them back, but as I mention above, its not a problem becasue of the ability to add the key via a notebook entry.
Oh yeah, to open up the registry editor, just type in the search field Regedit then okay (or enter).
I hope the above info isn't too confusing. I'd be happy to explain further.
All I can say at this poiunt is that I've been editing my registry for many years and have never had any problems. So long as you follow the simple rules i mentioned above (i.e. create a restore point first and save registry keys as executables initially so that you can add them back if needed). Once you know the computer is still running okay you can then delete the registry executables. I'd keep them for several weeks to be sure.
p.s.
If you did delete a key that affected your computer significantly, for example it wouldn't start up (worse case scenario), you can boot up in safe mode then replace the deleted key via the registry key you created before you deleted it from the registry.
