Where Is the NTUSER.DAT Registry Hive?
Every user profile carries its registry hive as NTUSER.DAT, loaded as HKEY_CURRENT_USER at logon.
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NTUSER.DAT in each profile folder is the file behind HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Windows loads it at logon and unloads it at logoff, which is why per-user settings roam with the profile and vanish with deletion.
That file-hive duality runs every profile trick in the book. Mandatory profiles rename it to NTUSER.MAN, admins mount it offline to fix broken accounts, and backup tools capture it as part of the profile. Corrupt it and the user gets a temporary profile instead.
Where Windows stores this, by platform
C:\Users\[User]\NTUSER.DAT
Per-user registry hive, loaded as HKCU at logon. Mount offline with Load Hive to repair accounts; mandatory profiles use a renamed NTUSER.MAN copy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I edit another user's registry settings?
Load it offline in regedit through Load Hive against the file. Edit, unload, and the profile picks up the changes next logon without ever booting that account.
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