RegistrySizeLimit

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

Description

Establishes the maximum amount of memory and disk space that can be consumed by the registry.

Registry size is limited to prevent the registry from consuming space needed by processes. The value of RegistrySizeLimit applies to space in the paged pool, to disk space for the paging file and files where registry data is stored, and to space used by some of the registry's run-time structures. Other registry run-time structures are governed by their own size limits or by other means.

RegistrySizeLimit only establishes a maximum size for the registry. Unlike other limits, it does not allocate or reserve space for the registry.

By default, RegistrySizeLimit is based upon the size of the paged pool, as follows:

• If the value of this entry is 0x0, or if this entry does not appear in the registry, the system adjusts the value of RegistrySizeLimit dynamically based upon the size of the paged pool.
• If the values of both RegistrySizeLimit and PagedPoolSize are 0x0, the system calculates an optimal value for both entries. Typically, the system sets the value of PagedPoolSize approximately equal to the amount of physical memory on the computer, and sets the value of RegistrySizeLimit to approximately 33 percent of the value of PagedPoolSize.
• If the value of this entry is greater than 16 MB (0x1000000) and less or equal to than 80 percent of the paged pool size, the value will be used as the registry size limit. The system will not calculate an optimal size limit or adjust the size limit when the amount of memory or the size of the paged pool changes.
• If the value of this entry is greater than 80 percent of the size of the paged pool, the system sets the value of RegistrySizeLimit equal to 80 percent of the size of the paged pool.

Change method

To add or change the value of this entry, in Control Panel double-click System. Click the Advanced tab, click Performance Options, click the Change button, and then enter a value in the Maximum Registry Size box.

Activation method

You must restart the computer before a change to this value takes effect.

Note

To ensure that a user can always start the system and edit the registry, the size of the registry is not subject to the maximum set in RegistrySizeLimit until after the first successful loading of a user profile.

Windows 2000 does not add this entry to the registry unless you use System in Control Panel to change the default value.

Tip

If the system notifies you that your registry is too small, use System in Control Panel to change this value. Typically, increasing the registry size limit by 1 MB is sufficient.

For more information on paged pools and nonpaged pools, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base link on the Web Resources page. Search the Knowledge Base for Article Q126402, or use the keywords PagedPoolSize and NonPagedPoolSize.

Related Entries

PagedPoolSize