Opening a REG File

The REG file type is primarily associated with Wine.

REGFile Extension REG
File extension: REG
File type:  registry file

What is a REG file?

REG files mostly belong to Wine by Wine Authors. REG is the file format for a Registry file used by the Windows Registry. The Windows Registry is a database of settings for the operating system. It configures the operating system and the applications and hardware devices installed on it. A Windows Registry entry is saved in the REG format. REG files can be used to change, import and export registry subkeys and values. These files may be exported for backup or for distributing registry settings. They are simple text files and can be opened in any text editor. The Registry Editor in Windows used REG files to add, modify, and delete registry subkeys and values. To export a registry subkey as a REG file, open Registry Editor from the Windows Administrative Tools folder in the Start menu or by typing regedit.exe in the Run dialog box. Then select the subkey that you want to export and click on Export in the File menu.

How to open REG files

You need a suitable software like Wine to open a REG file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your REG file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a REG file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online REG Text Viewer

Choose your .reg file to analyze

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Programs that open and convert REG files:

  1. Wine by Wine Authors
    See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. REG files are often referred to as Wine systems because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
  2. Microsoft 365 (registration information file) by Microsoft
    Microsoft 365 is a productivity cloud-based subscription service that brings together productivity applications and software tools with cloud services, device management, and security. It includes online versiones of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft SharePoint. The REG file is a registration information file that contains the registration key, serial number, and other registration information created after the registration process is finished. This file format is classified as Settings. Related links: Documentation, FAQ, Community
  3. Mozilla Firefox (XPCOM registry file) by Mozilla Foundation
    Mozilla Firefox is a free and open-source internet browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation for Windows, OS X, Linux, and Android operating systems. The REG file is an XPCOM registry component file used by Mozilla Firefox to keep track of its components. It carries the file name COMPONENT.REG. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: Mozilla Profile Directory Files, XPCOM on Wikipedia, Mozilla Firefox on Wikipedia
  4. Windows (registry file) by Microsoft
    Windows represents a family of several graphical operating systems developed by Microsoft and designed to run on desktop and laptop computers, as well as on embedded systems. The REG file is a registry file that contains portions of registry keys. Registry is database of options, settings and configurations for operating system and installed applications. This file format is classified as System. Related links: Windows Registry on Wikipedia, Windows registry Information for Advanced Users, Tools to Decode and Convert Windows Registry Hex Values to Text

REG format details:

A file format defines how the data in the file is structured. The file format can be deduced from the file extension and the signature. If the file extension does not match the file format, double-clicking on the file will cause an error upon opening. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. In the following you will find our evaluation of the REG files:

REG is a very common file type and mainly uses a defined REG format. However, the following two file formats are common:

All other REG files (15%) have no uniform format, frequently e.g. Wine Registry, config, SQL, PDF and regf. The category is system, disable, windows, settings, xfffff, registrationdb, microsoft or priority. You can get all the details of your REG file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .reg file to analyze" above.

Technical Data for REG File Extension


The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: Regedit.Document, FileType: Regedit Document

ProgramID: regfile, FileType: Registration Entries, AppName: Notepad
EXEFile: NOTEPAD.EXE

ProgramID: regfile, FileType: Registration Entries, AppName: Registry Editor
EXEFile: regedit.exe

ProgramID: regfile
EXEFile: regedit.exe %1

ProgramID: regfile
EXEFile: regedit.exe %*


a reg registry file is a special file format by Wine Authors and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with REG files

  • Associate the REG file extension with the correct application.
  • Update your software that should actually open registry files. Because only the current version supports the latest REG file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Wine Authors manufacturer website after an available Wine update.
  • To make sure that your REG file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
  • Click here to open your .REG file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.
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