registry-registry-settings.md

title	author	ms.author	ms.date	ms.topic	ms.prod
registry, registry settings - Microsoft Style Guide	pallep	pallep	08/16/2019	article	non-product-specific

registry, registry settings

Use lowercase for the word registry except when referring to a named system component, such as the Registry Editor.

Use all uppercase letters for the first-level subtrees, separating words with underscore characters. Registry subtrees are usually bold.

Examples
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Keys are developer defined and are usually all uppercase or a mix of uppercase and lowercase characters, with no underscores. Subkeys are usually a mix of uppercase and lowercase characters.

Examples
SOFTWARE
ApplicationIdentifier
CurrentVersion

Refer to an entire subkey path as a subkey, not a path.

Example
(typical subkey ) \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\AuthRoot

In a subkey, use entries to describe the items in the Name column. Use values to describe the items in the Data column.

See also Formatting developer text elements