Can you bypass the Registry when installing?

[BMW330Ci]

Hi - new here and a newbie in dealing with registries. I'm trying to get a better understanding of how one would bypass the registry when installing an application. For instance - if you were loading an application, such as truecrypt - during the install process, can you set it in a way that it wouldn't reflect in the registry. If so - where would it register or run from?

Thank you for any input.
SS

[haapy]

The registry is an integral part of Windows. Most installation packages use it and there is no way I know of to bypass it. There are some standalone exe programs that do not require the registry, kind of like the old DOS, load and go.

[GoneToPlaid]

There are also some freeware utilities which take snapshots of your computer's registry. These types of utilities are handy to use if you take a snapshot before you install a software package and then after the software package is installed. One good habit to get into is to always back up your registry before installing any new software. That way, after trying the new software and uninstalling it if you don't like it, then you can simply restore the registry backup you made just before installing the software. One word about freeware -- always get freeware from a trusted web site or from the developer's web site.

[haapy]

BMW

You mention that you are a newbie. That being said, modify the registry with extreme caution. It does not take much to hose it.

If you do decide to make changes, prior to making any changes, make sure that you make a manual System Restore point. This will give your the opportunity to go back to a time before you made your changes.