What is regedit.exe?

The genuine regedit.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft Corporation.
"Regedit.exe", in Windows XP and newer, is the Microsoft Windows Registry Editor. 32-bit systems have it in "C:\Windows", (%systemroot%). 64-bit Windows systems have a 64-bit version in "%systemroot%" and a 32-bit version in "%systemroot%\SYSWOW64". Executed from the command prompt, it provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for creating, viewing, editing or deleting keys, subkeys, and values in the Registry, a hierarchical database system containing information, settings, options, and other values for programs and hardware installed on all versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems. It is able to export backups of portions or all of the Registry to ".REG" files. It can also be executed with a ".REG" file as input to update keys and values. Because corruption of the Registry could entirely disable the Windows OS, "regedit" enables users to create a complete backup (menu File|Export) before manual editing is done.

RegEdit stands for Registry Editor

The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the regedit.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.

Click to Run a Free Scan for regedit.exe related errors

Regedit.exe file information

Windows Task Manager with regedit — Regedit.exe process in Windows Task Manager

The process known as Registry Editor belongs to software Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com).

Description: The original regedit.exe from Microsoft is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. Regedit.exe is located in the C:\Windows folder or sometimes in a subfolder of C:\Windows. Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 427,008 bytes (32% of all occurrences), 398,336 bytes and 8 more variants.
Regedit.exe is a Microsoft signed file. The file is a Windows core system file. Therefore the technical security rating is 0% dangerous, however you should also read the user reviews.

Recommended: Identify regedit.exe related errors

Viruses with the same file name

Is regedit.exe a virus? No, it is not. The true regedit.exe file is a safe Microsoft Windows system process, called "Registry Editor". However, writers of malware programs, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans deliberately give their processes the same file name to escape detection. Viruses with the same file name are for example HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic (detected by Kaspersky), and BKDR_BLADABI.SMC (detected by TrendMicro).
To ensure that no rogue regedit.exe is running on your PC, click here to run a Free Virus Scan.

How to recognize suspicious variants?

If regedit.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 39% dangerous. The file size is 189,864 bytes (50% of all occurrences) or 427,008 bytes. The program has a visible window. It is not a Windows system file. Regedit.exe is able to manipulate other programs.
Uninstalling this variant: In case of any problems with regedit.exe, you could uninstall the software www.ceeh.com using the Uninstall a Program function of Windows Control Panel (Windows: Start, Settings, Control Panel, Uninstall a Program) or consult Ceeh's Customer Service.
If regedit.exe is located in the Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 100% dangerous. The file size is 29,696 bytes. The program has no visible window. It is not a Windows core file. The process uses ports to connect to or from a LAN or the Internet. The software starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: Run, MACHINE\Run, TaskScheduler). There is no file information. Regedit.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs.

External information from Paul Collins:
There are different files with the same name:

"NeroCheck" definitely not required. Added by the DOOMJUICE.B WORM! Note - this is not the valid Ahead Nero CD burning program. Also it is not the valid Windows registry editor which resides in C:\Windows or C:\Winnt wheras this version resides in C:\Windows\System (Win9x/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (WinNT/2K) or C:\Windows\System32 (WinXP)
"regedit" definitely not required. Added by the BRID.A WORM! Note - resides in C:\Windows\System (Win9x/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (WinNT/2K), or C:\Windows\System32 (WinXP). The valid "regedit.exe" resides in C:\Windows (Win9x/Me/XP) or C:\Winnt (WinNT/2K)

Important: Some malware disguises itself as regedit.exe, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows folder. Therefore, you should check the regedit.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.

Score

User Comments

regedit error
himanshu sahni

its process of the windows registry
john

function of regedit.exe

i had 4 of them when using RegistryBooster 2 which seems to be a legit program to clean your registry of invalid things.
LOL

hkey_current_user/software/microsoft/internetexplorer/tyedurls3

can regedit delete names out the media player

it wiped out my computer . i could not execute any commands . it would ot shut down properly,then would never reboot. all programs and files were lost.
tsteele43

regedit ebook help
mphawade

Key file to crack Windows applications
RawR

Could be a virus. Found one (182.272 bytes) which is definately not from Microsoft. Also automatically starts at system bootup, which the normal regedit wouln't do.
Ruben

it is cmnd for register in windows
john

It Controls all program and files and registry
Hugo

Windows Registry Editor
Christian

Registry Editor by Windows
John

it isn't needed for non serious average computer users but is needed by businesses and people that want to edit their files that are complicated and need a graphical interface

When starting repair of files my laptop screen immediately went to blue and I can no longer open any window programs, or any programs, because when I start up it goes directly to the blue screen.
John

Show all user comments

Summary: Average user rating of regedit.exe: based on 27 votes with 16 user comments. 15 users think regedit.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 3 users think it's probably harmless. 2 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 5 users suspect danger. 2 users think regedit.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 5 users don't grade regedit.exe ("not sure about it").

Best practices for resolving regedit issues

A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with regedit. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.

Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.

To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.

To help you analyze the regedit.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.

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