Where Does HxD Store Settings?
Where HxD keeps its settings in the Windows registry, and how portable builds differ from installed ones.
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HxD keeps settings in the Windows registry under its vendor branch. Recent files, window layout and column options all live there as values. There is no settings ini in either edition.
Portable builds surprise everyone by writing the same registry key as installed ones. The exe folder holds no options to copy between machines. Export the branch for backup and import it where the next copy runs. Search histories share the same branch, so one export covers every option. Export the branch before reinstalling Windows.
Where HxD stores this, by platform
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Maël Hörz\HxD
Registry branch with recent files, layout and column options. Both editions write here. Export to a reg file for backup.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up HxD settings?
Open the Run dialog, type regedit, and export the vendor key to a reg file for backup. Both installed and portable builds write the same per user branch. Import the file on the new machine with HxD closed.
Does portable HxD leave no registry trace?
No. Portable builds still write the same registry branch rather than staying file only. The exe location changes nothing about settings storage. Expect the same key on every machine the portable drive touches.
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