Registry settings are a key component of the Windows operating system, used to store configuration information for various software applications, hardware devices, and system settings. The registry is like a giant database that keeps track of all the settings and preferences on your computer. Each program and device that you install or use on your computer has its own set of registry settings, which are stored in a hierarchical structure of keys, subkeys, and values.
A key is a container that holds configuration information for a particular software application, hardware device, or system setting. Subkeys are keys that are located within other keys, forming a nested structure. Subkeys can be created within other subkeys as well. Values are individual pieces of information stored within keys and subkeys. Each value has a specific name, data type, and data content. Values can be edited or deleted to modify the configuration/settings.
Registry settings are used in a variety of scenarios to manage software applications, hardware devices, and system settings on Windows computers. Here are a few common use cases:
The Registry Settings Configuration enables you to modify the values in the registry centrally and for several users.
Provide a name and description for the Registry Settings configuration.
You can choose to either configure manually or import registry files.
You can perform the following actions:
Write Value
To write a value in the registry, select the Action as Write Value and specify the following values:
Parameter
Description
Header Key
Select the header key from the following options:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT: It has all file associations, OLE information and shortcut data.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG: It has the currently used computer hardware profile.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER: It has the preferences for the user currently logged in.
HKEY_USERS/.Default: It has the default profile preferences.
Key
Keys are sub-components of the hives. Specify the key value.
Type
The type of the value. This varies with respect to the Header Key selected. Select the appropriate type from the combo box.
Value
Specify the value to be added. Click the icon to select and assign a dynamic variable to this parameter.
Data / Expression
Specify the data or expression. If the new value has to be created without data, enter the word clear inside the parentheses as (clear). Click the icon to select and assign a dynamic variable to this parameter.
If you wish to write more values, click Add Registry Settings button and repeat step 2. The values gets added to the Registry Settings table.
Delete Value
To delete a value from the registry, select the Action as Delete Value and specify the following values:
Parameter
Description
Header Key
Select the header key from the following options:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT: It has all file associations, OLE information and shortcut data.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG: It has the currently used computer hardware profile.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER: It has the preferences for the user currently logged in.
HKEY_USERS/.Default: It has the default profile preferences.
Key
Keys are sub-components of the hives. Specify the key value.
Value
Specify the value to be deleted.
If you wish to delete more values, click Add Registry Settings button and repeat step 2. The values gets added to the Registry Settings table.
Add Key
To add a registry key, select the Action as Add Key and specify the following:
Parameter
Description
Header Key
Select the header key from the following options:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT: It has all file associations, OLE information and shortcut data.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG: It has the currently used computer hardware profile.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER: It has the preferences for the user currently logged in.
HKEY_USERS/.Default: It has the default profile preferences.
Key
Keys are sub-components of the hives. Specify the key value to be added.
If you wish to add more keys, click Add Registry Settings button and repeat step 2. The values gets added to the Registry Settings table.
Delete Key
To delete a registry key, select the Action as Delete Key and specify the following values:
Parameter
Description
Header Key
Select the header key from the following options:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT: It has all file associations, OLE information and shortcut data.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG: It has the currently used computer hardware profile.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER: It has the preferences for the user currently logged in.
HKEY_USERS/.Default: It has the default profile preferences.
Key
Keys are sub-components of the hives. Specify the key value that has to be deleted.
If you wish to delete more keys, click Add Registry Settings button and repeat step 2. The values gets added to the Registry Settings table.
To modify a registry setting from the Registry Settings table, select the appropriate row and click icon and change the required values.
To delete a registry setting from the Registry Settings table, select the appropriate row and click icon.
Using the Defining Targets procedure, define the targets for deploying the Registry Settings Configuration.
Click the Deploy button to deploy the defined Registry Settings Configuration in the defined targets. The configuration will take effect during the next user logon.
To save the configuration as draft, click Save as Draft.