Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of all the features that you crave in Windows 11 but are not present at the moment. It started with a small collection of tools but slowly introduced a lot more–all due to community contributions. So, if you are a power user, you must install and use PowerToys on your system.

PowerToys is always evolving, and now it packs a Registry Preview tool. It can help you preview registry files, modify them, and apply the registry changes from a single window. So, let's check it out.

What Did PowerToys Version 0.69 Add?

After introducing the Mouse Jump feature which is extremely beneficial for wide-screen setup, version 0.69 of PowerToys added Registry Preview as a new feature. It can help you manage any registry file and make changes to the file using the inbuilt editor. No need to use a third-party app to open registry files or struggle with syntax on Notepad.

The feature even displays the correct hive and keys where the registry file will modify values. So, it becomes easier to understand the changes that the file will make to a key or value in Windows Registry. Along with that, you can now pick tools directly from the system tray icon of PowerToys without opening the app.

You can add any of the tools available in PowerToys to the shortcut menu in the system tray icon. Moreover, you can enable or disable any of the tools using the same shortcut menu. Both these improvements make it a lot easier to use and switch between different tools.

How to Enable the Registry Preview Feature in PowerToys

Before enabling and using the Registry Preview feature in PowerToys, you must update the app to version 0.69. You can download the latest build of PowerToys from GitHub or Microsoft Store. Windows Package Manager (winget) is also a great way to update apps from the command line.

After you download and install the updated version, repeat the following steps:

  1. Launch PowerToys on your system. Go to the left-hand side menu and click on the Registry Preview option.
  2. Locate the Enable Registry Preview option and click on the toggle next to it to enable the feature.
    Enable Registry Preview Feature In PowerToys
  3. Now, click on the Launch Registry Preview option to open the tool in a new window.
  4. Close the main PowerToys window.

How to View a Registry FIle in Registry Preview

Repeat the following steps to open a registry file in the Registry Preview tool:

  1. Go to the top menu bar in the Registry Preview window. Click on the Open File button. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + O to launch the Open Registry File window.
  2. Browse your computer for the registry file and click on it to select it. Then, click on the Open button to open the file in the tool.
    Open Registry file in Registry Preview Feature In PowerToys
  3. You will see two panes in the Registry Preview window. The left-hand side will show the contents of the registry file. On the right side, you will see the tree view of the Windows Registry hive, key, and value that the file will modify.
  4. Click on the last key in the tree view, and you will see the actual value that the file will create or modify on your system.
    Open Registry file in Registry Preview Feature In PowerToys 2

How to Modify a Registry File in Registry Preview

It is possible to tweak the registry file inside the Registry Preview tool. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open a registry file in the tool. Now, click on the left-hand side pane. You can now edit the registry file and add or delete the entries from this section.
  2. If you want to make changes to the file in a Notepad window, click on the Edit File button. It will open a new instance of Notepad with the registry file.
    Edit Registry file in Registry Preview Feature In PowerToys
  3. After making the changes to the file, press Ctrl + S to save the changes.
  4. If you want to create and save the changes in a new file, click on the Save file as button. Type the name of the new registry file and click on the Save button.

How to Write a Registry FIle Using Registry Preview

After modifying the registry file, you can make changes to your system’s registry directly from the Registry Preview tool. But before importing any registry file, create a registry backup for safety purposes. That way, you don’t have to reset your PC in case the modification breaks your system. Here’s how:

  1. Go to the top menu and click on the Write to Registry button.
  2. UAC will pop up. Click on the Yes button to grant permission to make changes to the registry.
    Import the Registry file to System Using Registry Preview
  3. You will see a warning about making changes to Windows Registry. Click on the Yes button.
  4. If the registry entry modification was successful, you will see a confirmation message. Click on the OK button and close the Registry Preview tool.

Handle Large Registry Files Easily With PowerToys

The Registry Preview is a much-needed addition to the PowerToys tools arsenal. It offers a clear picture of the key and sub-key and values that the file will modify. So, you don’t have to guess the impact it will have on your system.