Tips to open REG file

Can't open the REG file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open REG files as well as a list of programs that support REG files.

REG file extension

File Name Registry Format
File Developer Microsoft
File Category System Files

The REG file is supported on 1 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the REG files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the REG file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 8
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is REG file?

The REG file has been categorized as System Files. The author of this format is Microsoft. System Files consists of 323 similar files. Registry Format appears on 1 operating systems as a functional file. The file will work on Windows systems, unfortunately not on others. This file type can also be opened by 21 other programs. You can use Windows Notepad, NotePad++ text editor, Registrar Registry Manager, RegAlyzer in case Microsoft Registry Editor cannot be used.

How to open REG file?

The most common problem when using Registry Format is that a specific REG is not associated with the program. Thus, when you open REG, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the REG file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Microsoft Registry Editor

The first step is to check if the computer has the Microsoft Registry Editor program installed. To do this, enter the name Microsoft Registry Editor into the system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Below is a list of programs that support the file REG.

Step 2. Create association of Microsoft Registry Editor with REG files

If, despite the installed application, the REG file does not start in the Microsoft Registry Editor application, you must create a file association. The association can be created using the drop-down list available by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties. The window will show, among other things, the type of the file and the information by which the program is used to launch the file. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. Checking the "Always use the selected program ..." box will permanently associate the REG file with the Microsoft Registry Editor program.

Step 3. Update Microsoft Registry Editor to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the Microsoft Registry Editor program, it is possible that Registry Format requires a newer version of the program.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the REG file

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. Usually this applies to REG files downloaded from the Internet in case the download did not finish properly. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The operating system may be infected with a computer virus. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the REG file that we want to open. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover REG files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the REG files changes over time. These problems are known and are often very easy to fix using the software developers's website.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged REG files.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted REG files can be used by the device on which they were encrypted, on any other device it is required to have the appropriate cryptographic key and decrypt the file before its recovery.
Some of the system directories are excluded from modification. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. It is best to move REG to a different directory.
This problem usually affects more complex files. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file REG to close. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If this does not work either, restart the device.