Looking for utility to track Windows XP/2K registry changes

[rkawakami]

I'm looking for a good, clean, easy-to-use utility which can track changes made to the Windows registry (XP and 2000). Being able to compare one instance of registry settings against another (think: pre-install and post-install of a program) and seeing which keys have been modified/added/deleted is the desired use.

I don't want to use any of the auditing tools built into Regedit as that seems too complicated and/or involved (poking around the registry and then hunting down the status logs).

I know I can take the manual approach and export the branch(es) of interest (if I know them; most likely it will be the entire registry structure) and use a "diff" tool to compare the resulting text files. I was hoping that somebody already wrote such a utility (freeware would be nice; shareware acceptable). I've searched around the net and have found a couple of programs but I want to know if anyone here has a favorite tool.

[RealBlackStuff]

You may want to look at ARM, Active Registry Monitor
http://www.protect-me.com/arm/

Admittedly, it costs $40.- but I think it does exactly what you want.

[Stargate199]

Spybot S&D has a program called TeaTimer that monitors if any program is trying to make a change to the registry and notifies you about and asks if you want the program to make the change or not. This may be on the lines of what you want.

[dubwise]

Google up INCTRL3.ZIP.
Tiny old freeware PCMag utility that I've used for years
any time I've ever installed anything.
Tracks file and registry changes to a text file.

[robegusn]

Have a look at InstallRite - http://www.epsilonsquared.com/installrite.htm

This utility monitors installs and then allows you to see what changes have been made as well as the ability to build a custom install for use on multiple workstations.

After the install, it sets itself as an "autorun" so you will likely want to remove that.

To use the tool, run InstallRite (leave it running), install your application and then save the install info close InstallRite. If your installation requires a reboot, then you need to re-enable the "autorun".