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Troubleshoot and Monitor Registry Changes with RegShot
Posted by Kevin Purdy at 11:16 PM on April 7, 2008
Windows only: Find your system running a bit different after installing that last program? Want to see if you can change how a program functions by tweaking one or two of its registry settings? RegShot, a free Windows utility, makes monitoring your registry as simple as using a Polaroid camera. Take a snapshot of your registry before installing, then take another after you've put the new app in place. RegShot tells you what's changed in your registry, and can also monitor folders you specify for new and changed files. For getting to the root of a problem with Windows software, RegShot is a good tool to keep handy. RegShot is a free download for Windows systems only.
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mulletmandan
Posted 10:58 PM 7/4/08
Thanks for the link CC! Just a note, the TechNet website says that RegMon has been replaced by Process Monitor [technet.microsoft.com]
Looks cool!
mulletmandan
CaptainChickenpants
Posted 10:52 PM 7/4/08
For cases where you have already installed the application, I would recommend looking at RegMon [technet.microsoft.com] . You can see what registry entries a particular application is looking at / looking for. Very helpful in tracking down some issues.
In a similar vein filemon (available from the same place) lets you see what file access is going on.
CC
CaptainChickenpants
heavylee-again
Posted 10:51 PM 7/4/08
I always wondered if a tool like this could be used to discover how a Windows system changes after it is activated with Microsoft to get out of the 30-day 'trial' period.
heavylee-again
BostonMark
Posted 12:06 AM 8/4/08
This is great. You can also monitor other changes to your system with TinyWatcher. It checks for registry changes and system file additions and changes on every boot.
HOWTO: Detect Behind-the-Scenes Changes to Your OS
BostonMark
Cornflower
Posted 12:38 AM 8/4/08
I have been using Regshot regularly to prepare deployments, test installs, and even to figure out where registration keys are so they can be archived in case of system crash. It is portable, so it always resides on my USB and on each of my systems at work and home.
Version 2 of Regshot has the really great addition of inf files, so I can reinstall or undo the install using MS inf files that are automatically generated if you choose that option.
ReegMon is great, but be prepared for some deciphering work with the large amount of data it gives you.
Cornflower
Bash_
Posted 7:27 PM 8/4/08
AFAIK. SpyBot has this function also, and its pretty nice imo... It always asks if I want to let this and that program edit the registry... its nice to know what my programs are doing... although, it gets kinda boring always clicking yesyesyesyes after a longer time afk, like a vacation... since the updates always need registry editing.... I really like it
Bash_