SOFTWARE Subtree
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
Software
HKCU
Description
This subtree contains the user profile for the user who is currently logged on to the computer. The user profile includes environment variables, personal program groups, desktop settings, network connections, printers, and application preferences.
This subtree does not contain any data. It only stores a pointer to the content of the HKEY_USERS\Security ID (SID) of the current user's subkey. Therefore, the content of that subkey also appears in this subtree, and it can be viewed and changed in either location. This subtree provides easier access to the data.
A new HKEY_CURRENT_USER subtree is created each time a user logs on. The data for the subtree comes from the profile of the current user. If no profile is available, then the subtree is built from the user profile settings established for a default user, which are stored in System drive\Documents and Settings\Default User (WINNT)\Ntuser.dat.