Avoid Accidental Registry Imports with Regedit (All Windows)
Category: Home > Windows > Accessories > Registry Editor
By default if you double-click on a file with a '.REG' extension the file will be imported into the system registry. You can change the default so it opens the file for editing instead.
You can change the default by either of the two methods below:
Through the Registry
- Open your registry and find the key below.
- Change the (Default) value to equal "edit".
- Exit your registry editor.
Using the GUI
From either Explorer or My Computer click on View -> Options, then the 'File Types' tab. Scroll down the list of registered file type until you find 'Registration Entries', highlight it and click 'Edit'. Listed in the 'Actions' box should be three actions: Edit, Merge and Print. Highlight 'Edit' and click 'Set Default', Edit should become Bold.
Next time you double-click on a .REG file, notepad should open instead. You can still import a file by simply right-click on it and select 'Merge'.
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 | HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell |  |
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| Settings: |
System Key: [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell]
Name: (Default)
Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Value: edit
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Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.
Last Modified: December 16, 2001
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