• The Registry Editor can be used to edit the registry in Windows Operating systems. This tool can be disabled, enabled and even blocked by administrators to prevent Registry information from being changed. Viruses or malware also can cause the Registry Editor to be disabled. There are workarounds and tools to remove the restriction.
  
  

Using Local Group Policy Editor

• The Group Policy Editor can enable the Registry Editor, if your computer is running Windows XP or Vista and you have access to an administrative user account. Go to "Start," click "Run," Type GPEDIT.MSC and press "Enter." Then, go to User Configuration->Administrative Templates->System in the Settings Window, find the option "Prevent Access to Registry Editing Tools," choose "Disabled" and then "OK." Close the Group Policy Editor and restart your computer.
  
  

VBScript Developed by Doug Knox

• VBScript can enable or disable the Registry Editor. It is free to download from Doug Knox's website. To enable the Registry Editor, VBScript will look for a specific value and create the value if it doesn't exist. If the value is located, it will be set to its opposite state and you will need to restart your computer. This change is made in "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System." The script can be viewed in a text editor.
  
  

Symantec's Tool

• Worms and Trojans can alter the shell\open\command registry entries if your computer is infected. This will lead these viruses running when you run an .exe file, such as the Registry Editor. They may prevent you from running the Registry Editor to fix the problem or they may completely disable the Registry Editor. Symantec has developed a tool to address this issue. This tool can reset these registry values to their defaults.