Disadvantages
The Windows Registry has several disadvantages. Although it is relatively easy to back up and restore the database to the same Windows installation, moving per-program or user-specific settings to a different machine is difficult because so many programs use settings that are dependent on the local machine.
Critics have labeled the registry in Windows 95 as a single point of failure, because re-installation of the operating system was required if the Registry became corrupted. However, Windows versions since Windows NT (i.e. all current versions of Windows) use transaction logs to protect against corruption during updates. Current versions of Windows uses 2 levels of log files to ensure integrity even in the case of power failure or similar catastrophic events during database updates. Even in the case of a non-recoverable error, Windows can repair or re-initialize damaged registry entries during system boot.
Its centralized and hierarchical structure, while providing the many benefits discussed above, also makes the registry a weak link in the system and an easy target for both malicious and unintentional damage by users.
Read more about this topic: Windows Registry