# regedit.exe

Windows Process: Microsoft Corporation

Also called regedit, registry editor, regedt32

Windows, System Component

Registry Editor. It is the hive browser UI. The Task Manager row named Registry is the kernel hive working set, not this editor.

## What you need to know

regedit edits the registry hive UI, it is not the Registry process.

regedit.exe is Registry Editor. The Registry process that appeared in Windows 10 1809 holds hive pages for the memory manager. Ending the editor does not free that hive RAM.

- **Safe?**: Yes, as the editor

  **Same as Registry in Task Manager?**: No. That row holds hive memory

  **Should I end it?**: The editor closes. Unsaved key edits can drop

Feex says

If Task Manager says Registry and someone opens regedit to "kill it," I stop them. That row is hive memory. This exe is the tree view you should not browse as a first repair.

## What is regedit.exe?

regedit.exe is Registry Editor. It browses and changes keys. It is not the Registry process that accounts for hive memory after Windows 10 version 1809.

## What does it do?

It loads hives into a tree, exports .reg files, and writes values you confirm. It does not host hive working-set memory the way the Registry row does.

## Why is it running?

You ran regedit, a support article opened it, or a .reg file invoked the editor. A copy that starts at logon is a shortcut you should not keep.

## Is it safe?

Usually safe as the editor

Windows\regedit.exe or System32\regedit.exe signed by Microsoft is the editor. A regedit.exe in Temp is not. The Registry process is still a different row.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

`C:\Windows\regedit.exe`

- Also present as System32\regedit.exe
- Not the Registry hive process
- Back up before you edit keys

## Can I end it?

Closes the editor

Ending regedit.exe closes the tree. An unsaved edit can vanish. It does not stop the Registry process and it does not unlock a hive.

## Can I remove it?

No

Do not delete regedit.exe. Policy can hide the editor. That is not the same as deleting the file.

## Should it start with Windows?

On demand. It should not sit in Startup Apps.

## Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

- **CPU**: Low while you browse

  **Memory**: Small

  **Disk**: Hive reads and .reg exports

  **Network**: None

## File information

| Executable name        | regedit.exe                 |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------- |
| Common legitimate path | C:\Windows\regedit.exe      |
| Publisher              | Microsoft Corporation       |
| Signature expectation  | Signed by Microsoft Windows |

## Common problems

### People delete keys because the Registry row looks large

Hive size is stored configuration. Closing regedit does not shrink that row.

### Forum .reg "fixes"

Those files are a favorite payload. Read every key before you merge.

## Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

### Split the names in Task Manager

Registry is the hive host. regedit.exe is the window you opened.

### Export a key before you change it

That is the supported undo. Do not replace regedit from a zip.

## Technical details

Technical details

| Image name | regedit.exe        |
| ---------- | ------------------ |
| Role       | Registry Editor UI |

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[Registry: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/registry)[What is a Windows process: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/what-is-a-windows-process)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Microsoft Learn: Registry ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/win32/sysinfo/registry)· Editor versus hive store
- [Microsoft Learn: Registry hives ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/win32/sysinfo/registry-hives)· Hive files the Registry process holds
- [Microsoft: Registry Editor for advanced users ](https://learn.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/windows-server/performance/windows-registry-advanced-users)· regedit UI
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Type**: Windows Process

  **Publisher**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Executable**: regedit.exe

  **Typical path**: C:\Windows\regedit.exe

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

  **Related process**: [Registry](https://feex.it/wiki/process/registry)

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/process/regedit.exe/)

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