Since file parsing is done much more efficiently with a binary format, it may be read from or written to more quickly than a text INI file. Furthermore, strongly typed data can be stored in the registry, as opposed to the text information stored in .INI files. This is a benefit when editing keys manually using regedit.exe, the built-in Windows Registry Editor.

We have a WSUS Server and setup our Configure Updates to number 4 "autodownload and schedule update". In Windows 7 I could see in the l...