The Windows Registry is a collection of databases containing configuration settings for Microsoft Windows operating systems.
This part of Windows stores many data and settings for software programs, hardware devices, user preferences, and operating system configurations.
For example, when a new program is installed, new instructions and file references can be added to the registry at a location specific to the program. Other references that can communicate with it can also be used to obtain more information, such as where the files are located, what options in the program should be used, and so on.
In many ways, the registry can be considered a kind of DNA of the Windows operating system.