Registry

You edit the registry using REGEDIT.EXE or REGEDIT32.EXE.

Go to Start - Run - Regedit.

CAUTION: BACKUP the registry before editing.

Maxwell

The registry is very different from the old system files that we edit in notepad. It is actually several different files.

As Maxwell said, use regedit from the run box.

There are also a number of 3rd party registry editing utilities out therethat claim to improve the editing process.
Both Norton Systemworks, and OnTrack Fix-It have registry editors.

Yes you use notepad. Here's a nice reghack as an example,
How to empty Temp & History Folders upon re-boot.
This works very well for Win95/98/98se and maybe others. This goes beyond simply choosing "Empty TIF folder when browser closes".

Run command: notepad c:\autoexec.bat

Enter the below lines (perhaps one at a time) below the last existing line. Re-boot is needed for these to take affect. If you have any problems, remove the lines in Safe Mode.

deltree /y C:\Windows\Cookies\index.dat
deltree /y C:\Windows\Tempor~1\
deltree /y C:\Windows\History\

1. Clears the index.dat file (security issue) in the Cookies folder.
2. Clears the Temporary Internet (TIF) Folder (goo issue).
3. Clears the History folder (security issue).
Warning: Back up registry before applying and changes!