title: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes vs HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
body: <p>In Microsoft's <a href="https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/com/interface-key" rel="noreferrer">documentation</a>, I found the following paragraph</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>The <strong>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes</strong> key corresponds to the <strong>HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT</strong> key, which was retained for compatibility with earlier versions of COM.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Now, I am not sure which key the <em>which</em> in that paragraph refers to: the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes or the HKCU key.</p>
  
  <p>I'd appreciate if someone could clarify.</p>