What is MIME type "text/x-windows-registry"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

text/x-windows-registry defines files that contain Windows registry data in plain text. These files hold instructions to change or add settings in the Windows registry. They work with the Windows Registry Editor to update system configurations.

Files of this type let you automate registry tweaks. Experienced users or system administrators use them to implement changes quickly and consistently. They can be used for backing up registry settings, deploying changes across computers, or troubleshooting system issues.

Key uses include:

System Configuration: Import new registry data to modify system behavior.
Automation: Apply registry changes without manual edits.
Backup and Recovery: Save current registry settings for future restoration.

The commonly used file for this MIME type is REG.

For more details on file formats and MIME types, check resources like Filext.

Associated file extensions

.reg

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: text/x-windows-registry

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="text/x-windows-registry">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/x-windows-registry');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.reg

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.