Changing GAC to folder view in Windows Server 2003/2008

We may often want to copy a binary from GAC for backup as part of testing different versions of builds or binaries. Here are the steps to change the GAC into folder view so that you can copy the binary.

1. Start -> Run -> regedit
2. This will open Registry
3. Follow the structure
4. My Computer -> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEàSOFTWARE -> Microsoft ->Fusion
5. Add new binary value name “DisableCacheViewer”
a. Select Fusion
b. Click Edit ->New->Binary Value
c. Change the name of the value to “DisableCacheViewer”
d. DisableCacheViewer àRight Click–>Modify
e. Enter 1 (Any non-zero value will also do)
6. Open GAC
a. Start->Run-> Type “c:\WINDOWS\assembly”
b. This will open the Explorer but now you will see the actual structure of the GAC in folder view