Registry vs. INI file for storing user configurable application settings

Question

I\'m a new Windows programmer and I\'m not sure where I should store user configurable application settings. I understand the need to provide a user friendly means for the

Answer 1

According to the documentation for GetPrivateProfileString, you should use the registry for storing initialisation information.

However, in so saying, if you still want to use .ini files, and use the standard profile APIs (GetPrivateProfileString, WritePrivateProfileString, and the like) for accessing them, they provide built-in ways to automatically provide "virtual .ini files" backed by the registry. Win-win!