The Registry has much to do with the successful startup of Windows 2000. Once Windows 2000 starts, there are a number of settings you can modify in the Registry to control how the core operating system works, as well as to customize the startup process. In addition, the Registry stores data that, although you might not be able to successfully and safely change it, would tell you much about how the startup works. This chapter will help you understand the startup and shutdown processes in Windows 2000, as well as some of the system settings.