Files with reg extension can be usually found as Windows registry files, special files that contain exported registry entries that can be uploaded to the system.

There is one other file type using
the REG file extension!

empty icon.reg - Registration Information

Detailed description

Software that open reg file

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REG file extension - Windows registry data

What is reg file? How to open reg files?

File extension reg is associated with the Microsoft Windows operating system and it is used for files that contains Windows Registry entries.

Windows Registry is system database of options, settings and configurations for operating system and installed applications.

Typically, .reg file (also known as Registration entries) is in a text-based human-readable format for storing portions of the registry keys. These files are viewable in text editor, such as Windows Notepad, Notepad++ etc.

Windows 2000 and later NT-based operating systems contains Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 and uses Unicode-based .reg files.

Windows 9x and NT 4.0 have installed REGEDIT 4 and .reg files are ANSI-based. Windows 9x format Ansi-based REG files are compatible with Windows 2000 and later NT-based systems.

Updated: November 30, 2023

The default software associated to open reg file:

Windows Registry Editor icon

Microsoft Corporation logoWindows Registry Editor  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

Registry Editor is a tool intended for advanced users. It is used to view and change settings in the system registry, which contains information about how your computer runs. Windows refers to this information and updates it when you make changes to your computer, such as installing a new program, creating a user profile, or adding new hardware. Registry Editor lets you view registry folders, files, and the settings for each registry file.

Microsoft Windows icon

Microsoft Corporation logoMicrosoft Windows  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

A family of operating systems developed by the Microsoft Corp. The first Windows was released in 1985 as a GUI add-on to MS-DOS. MS-DOS based Windows versions were developed to 2000, when was released the last version called Windows ME. Windows based on NT core started in 1993. Windows NT family are developed to these days, the latest version is called Microsoft Windows 11.

Related articles:

Best registry utilities for Windows

Restoring of disabled Task Manager in Windows

Help how to open:

You can handle the reg files with the use of regedit.exe, which is part of Windows OS.

A .reg file can also be viewed in any text editor.

How to convert:

Registry files are not meant to be converted to anything else. But since they are basically text files, you can work with them that much.

File identification strings:

HEX code: 52 45 47 45 44 49 54
ASCII code: REGEDIT

Related links:

Windows registry information for advanced users

About registry and regedit.exe at wikipedia

List of software applications associated to the .reg file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open reg file, edit reg file, convert reg file, view reg file, play reg file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting reg files.

Software that open reg file - Windows registry data

Programs supporting the exension reg on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open reg file action.

Apple macOS / Mac OS X:

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