Which Windows registry hive is responsible for runtime information?

The registry hive responsible for runtime information is indeed HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIGURATION. This hive is specifically designed to store configuration data that can change or get updated during runtime, such as device driver settings, system hardware configurations, and runtime settings that may vary between different hardware environments.

In the context of the Windows operating system, this hive allows the system to access the relevant settings dynamically, which facilitates adaptability and ensures that the system can effectively manage the changing configurations of hardware. It is particularly useful when the operating system must adjust to various hardware changes or configurations that occur while the system is running.

This is important for overall system performance and stability, ensuring that Windows can efficiently interact with the hardware components involved at any given moment. The other hives mentioned, such as HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, HKEY_CURRENT_MACHINE, and HKEY_CURRENT_USER, serve different primary roles within the system's registry structure, such as user settings or system configuration that do not change at runtime, making HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIGURATION the most appropriate choice for runtime information.