Registry Class

Definition

Namespace:

Microsoft.Win32

Assembly:

Microsoft.Win32.Registry.dll

Provides RegistryKey objects that represent the root keys in the Windows registry, and static methods to access key/value pairs.

public ref class Registry abstract sealed

public static class Registry

type Registry = class

Public Class Registry

Inheritance

Object

Registry

Examples

This section contains two code examples. The first example demonstrates root keys, and the second example demonstrates the static GetValue and SetValue methods.

Example 1

The following code example demonstrates how to retrieve the subkeys of the HKEY_USERS key, and print their names to the screen. Use the OpenSubKey method to create an instance of the particular subkey of interest. You can then use other operations in RegistryKey to manipulate that key.

using namespace System;
using namespace Microsoft::Win32;
void PrintKeys( RegistryKey ^ rkey )
{
   
   // Retrieve all the subkeys for the specified key.
   array<String^>^names = rkey->GetSubKeyNames();
   int icount = 0;
   Console::WriteLine( "Subkeys of {0}", rkey->Name );
   Console::WriteLine( "-----------------------------------------------" );
   
   // Print the contents of the array to the console.
   System::Collections::IEnumerator^ enum0 = names->GetEnumerator();
   while ( enum0->MoveNext() )
   {
      String^ s = safe_cast<String^>(enum0->Current);
      Console::WriteLine( s );
      
      // The following code puts a limit on the number
      // of keys displayed.  Comment it out to print the
      // complete list.
      icount++;
      if ( icount >= 10 )
            break;
   }
}

int main()
{
   
   // Create a RegistryKey, which will access the HKEY_USERS
   // key in the registry of this machine.
   RegistryKey ^ rk = Registry::Users;
   
   // Print out the keys.
   PrintKeys( rk );
}

using System;
using Microsoft.Win32;

class Reg {
    public static void Main() {

        // Create a RegistryKey, which will access the HKEY_USERS
        // key in the registry of this machine.
        RegistryKey rk = Registry.Users;

        // Print out the keys.
        PrintKeys(rk);
    }

    static void PrintKeys(RegistryKey rkey) {

        // Retrieve all the subkeys for the specified key.
        string [] names = rkey.GetSubKeyNames();

        int icount = 0;

        Console.WriteLine("Subkeys of " + rkey.Name);
        Console.WriteLine("-----------------------------------------------");

        // Print the contents of the array to the console.
        foreach (string s in names) {
            Console.WriteLine(s);

            // The following code puts a limit on the number
            // of keys displayed.  Comment it out to print the
            // complete list.
            icount++;
            if (icount >= 10)
                break;
        }
    }
}

Imports Microsoft.Win32

Class Reg
    
    Public Shared Sub Main()
        
        ' Create a RegistryKey, which will access the HKEY_USERS
        ' key in the registry of this machine.
        Dim rk As RegistryKey = Registry.Users
        
        ' Print out the keys.
        PrintKeys(rk)
    End Sub    
    
    Shared Sub PrintKeys(rkey As RegistryKey)
        
        ' Retrieve all the subkeys for the specified key.
        Dim names As String() = rkey.GetSubKeyNames()
        
        Dim icount As Integer = 0
        
        Console.WriteLine("Subkeys of " & rkey.Name)
        Console.WriteLine("-----------------------------------------------")
        
        ' Print the contents of the array to the console.
        Dim s As String
        For Each s In  names
            Console.WriteLine(s)
            
            ' The following code puts a limit on the number
            ' of keys displayed.  Comment it out to print the
            ' complete list.
            icount += 1            
            If icount >= 10 Then
                Exit For
            End If
        Next s
    End Sub
End Class

Example 2

The following code example stores values of several data types in an example key, creating the key as it does so, and then retrieves and displays the values. The example demonstrates storing and retrieving the default (nameless) name/value pair, and the use of defaultValue when a name/value pair does not exist.

using namespace System;
using namespace Microsoft::Win32;

int main()
{   
    // The name of the key must include a valid root.
    String^ userRoot = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER";
    String^ subKey = "RegistrySetValueExample2";
    String^ keyName = String::Concat(userRoot, "\\", subKey);
    
    // An int value can be stored without specifying the
    // registry data type, but Int64 values will be stored
    // as strings unless you specify the type. Note that
    // the int is stored in the default name/value
    // pair.
    Registry::SetValue(keyName, "", 5280);
    Registry::SetValue(keyName, "TestInt64", 12345678901234, 
        RegistryValueKind::QWord);
    
    // Strings with expandable environment variables are
    // stored as ordinary strings unless you specify the
    // data type.
    Registry::SetValue(keyName, "TestExpand", "My path: %path%");
    Registry::SetValue(keyName, "TestExpand2", "My path: %path%", 
        RegistryValueKind::ExpandString);
    
    // Arrays of strings are stored automatically as 
    // MultiString. Similarly, arrays of Byte are stored
    // automatically as Binary.
    array<String^>^ strings  = {"One", "Two", "Three"};
    Registry::SetValue(keyName, "TestArray", strings);
    
    // Your default value is returned if the name/value pair
    // does not exist.
    String^ noSuch = (String^)Registry::GetValue(keyName, 
        "NoSuchName", 
        "Return this default if NoSuchName does not exist.");
    Console::WriteLine("\r\nNoSuchName: {0}", noSuch);
    
    // Retrieve the int and Int64 values, specifying 
    // numeric default values in case the name/value pairs
    // do not exist. The int value is retrieved from the
    // default (nameless) name/value pair for the key.
    int testInteger = (int)Registry::GetValue(keyName, "", -1);
    Console::WriteLine("(Default): {0}", testInteger);
    long long testInt64 = (long long)Registry::GetValue(keyName, 
        "TestInt64", System::Int64::MinValue);
    Console::WriteLine("TestInt64: {0}", testInt64);
    
    // When retrieving a MultiString value, you can specify
    // an array for the default return value. 
    array<String^>^ testArray = (array<String^>^)Registry::GetValue(
        keyName, "TestArray", 
        gcnew array<String^> {"Default if TestArray does not exist."});
    for (int i = 0; i < testArray->Length; i++)
    {
        Console::WriteLine("TestArray({0}): {1}", i, testArray[i]);
    }
    
    // A string with embedded environment variables is not
    // expanded if it was stored as an ordinary string.
    String^ testExpand = (String^)Registry::GetValue(keyName, 
        "TestExpand", "Default if TestExpand does not exist.");
    Console::WriteLine("TestExpand: {0}", testExpand);
    
    // A string stored as ExpandString is expanded.
    String^ testExpand2 = (String^)Registry::GetValue(keyName, 
        "TestExpand2", "Default if TestExpand2 does not exist.");
    Console::WriteLine(
        "TestExpand2: {0}...", testExpand2->Substring(0, 40));
    Console::WriteLine(
        "\r\nUse the registry editor to examine the key.");
    Console::WriteLine("Press the Enter key to delete the key.");
    Console::ReadLine();
    Registry::CurrentUser->DeleteSubKey(subKey);
}
//
// This code example produces output similar to the following:
//
// NoSuchName: Return this default if NoSuchName does not exist.
// (Default): 5280
// TestInt64: 12345678901234
// TestArray(0): One
// TestArray(1): Two
// TestArray(2): Three
// TestExpand: My path: %path%
// TestExpand2: My path: D:\Program Files\Microsoft.NET\...
//
// Use the registry editor to examine the key.
// Press the Enter key to delete the key.

using System;
using Microsoft.Win32;

public class Example
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        // The name of the key must include a valid root.
        const string userRoot = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER";
        const string subkey = "RegistrySetValueExample";
        const string keyName = userRoot + "\\" + subkey;

        // An int value can be stored without specifying the
        // registry data type, but long values will be stored
        // as strings unless you specify the type. Note that
        // the int is stored in the default name/value
        // pair.
        Registry.SetValue(keyName, "", 5280);
        Registry.SetValue(keyName, "TestLong", 12345678901234,
            RegistryValueKind.QWord);

        // Strings with expandable environment variables are
        // stored as ordinary strings unless you specify the
        // data type.
        Registry.SetValue(keyName, "TestExpand", "My path: %path%");
        Registry.SetValue(keyName, "TestExpand2", "My path: %path%",
            RegistryValueKind.ExpandString);

        // Arrays of strings are stored automatically as
        // MultiString. Similarly, arrays of Byte are stored
        // automatically as Binary.
        string[] strings = {"One", "Two", "Three"};
        Registry.SetValue(keyName, "TestArray", strings);

        // Your default value is returned if the name/value pair
        // does not exist.
        string noSuch = (string) Registry.GetValue(keyName,
            "NoSuchName",
            "Return this default if NoSuchName does not exist.");
        Console.WriteLine("\r\nNoSuchName: {0}", noSuch);

        // Retrieve the int and long values, specifying
        // numeric default values in case the name/value pairs
        // do not exist. The int value is retrieved from the
        // default (nameless) name/value pair for the key.
        int tInteger = (int) Registry.GetValue(keyName, "", -1);
        Console.WriteLine("(Default): {0}", tInteger);
        long tLong = (long) Registry.GetValue(keyName, "TestLong",
            long.MinValue);
        Console.WriteLine("TestLong: {0}", tLong);

        // When retrieving a MultiString value, you can specify
        // an array for the default return value.
        string[] tArray = (string[]) Registry.GetValue(keyName,
            "TestArray",
            new string[] {"Default if TestArray does not exist."});
        for(int i=0; i<tArray.Length; i++)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("TestArray({0}): {1}", i, tArray[i]);
        }

        // A string with embedded environment variables is not
        // expanded if it was stored as an ordinary string.
        string tExpand = (string) Registry.GetValue(keyName,
             "TestExpand",
             "Default if TestExpand does not exist.");
        Console.WriteLine("TestExpand: {0}", tExpand);

        // A string stored as ExpandString is expanded.
        string tExpand2 = (string) Registry.GetValue(keyName,
            "TestExpand2",
            "Default if TestExpand2 does not exist.");
        Console.WriteLine("TestExpand2: {0}...",
            tExpand2.Substring(0, 40));

        Console.WriteLine("\r\nUse the registry editor to examine the key.");
        Console.WriteLine("Press the Enter key to delete the key.");
        Console.ReadLine();
        Registry.CurrentUser.DeleteSubKey(subkey);
    }
}
//
// This code example produces output similar to the following:
//
//NoSuchName: Return this default if NoSuchName does not exist.
//(Default): 5280
//TestLong: 12345678901234
//TestArray(0): One
//TestArray(1): Two
//TestArray(2): Three
//TestExpand: My path: %path%
//TestExpand2: My path: D:\Program Files\Microsoft.NET\...
//
//Use the registry editor to examine the key.
//Press the Enter key to delete the key.

Imports Microsoft.Win32

Public Class Example
    Public Shared Sub Main()
        ' The name of the key must include a valid root.
        Const userRoot As String = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER"
        Const subkey As String = "RegistrySetValueExample"
        Const keyName As String = userRoot & "\" & subkey

        ' Integer values can be stored without specifying the
        ' registry data type, but Long values will be stored
        ' as strings unless you specify the type. Note that
        ' the integer is stored in the default name/value
        ' pair.
        Registry.SetValue(keyName, "", 5280)
        Registry.SetValue(keyName, "TestLong", 12345678901234, _
            RegistryValueKind.QWord)

        ' Strings with expandable environment variables are
        ' stored as ordinary strings unless you specify the
        ' data type.
        Registry.SetValue(keyName, "TestExpand", "My path: %path%")
        Registry.SetValue(keyName, "TestExpand2", "My path: %path%", _
            RegistryValueKind.ExpandString)

        ' Arrays of strings are stored automatically as 
        ' MultiString. Similarly, arrays of Byte are stored
        ' automatically as Binary.
        Dim strings() As String = {"One", "Two", "Three"}
        Registry.SetValue(keyName, "TestArray", strings)

        ' Your default value is returned if the name/value pair
        ' does not exist.
        Dim noSuch As String = _
            Registry.GetValue(keyName, "NoSuchName", _
            "Return this default if NoSuchName does not exist.")
        Console.WriteLine(vbCrLf & "NoSuchName: {0}", noSuch)

        ' Retrieve the Integer and Long values, specifying 
        ' numeric default values in case the name/value pairs
        ' do not exist. The Integer value is retrieved from the
        ' default (nameless) name/value pair for the key.
        Dim tInteger As Integer = _
            Registry.GetValue(keyName, "", -1)
        Console.WriteLine("(Default): {0}", tInteger)
        Dim tLong As Long = Registry.GetValue(keyName, _
             "TestLong", Long.MinValue)
        Console.WriteLine("TestLong: {0}", tLong)

        ' When retrieving a MultiString value, you can specify
        ' an array for the default return value. The value is
        ' declared inline, but could also be declared as:
        ' Dim default() As String = {"Default value."}
        '
        Dim tArray() As String = _
            Registry.GetValue(keyName, "TestArray", _
            New String() {"Default if TestArray does not exist."})
        For i As Integer = 0 To tArray.Length - 1
            Console.WriteLine("TestArray({0}): {1}", i, tArray(i))
        Next

        ' A string with embedded environment variables is not
        ' expanded if it was stored as an ordinary string.
        Dim tExpand As String = Registry.GetValue(keyName, _
             "TestExpand", "Default if TestExpand does not exist.")
        Console.WriteLine("TestExpand: {0}", tExpand)

        ' A string stored as ExpandString is expanded.
        Dim tExpand2 As String = Registry.GetValue(keyName, _
             "TestExpand2", "Default if TestExpand2 does not exist.")
        Console.WriteLine("TestExpand2: {0}...", _
            tExpand2.Substring(0, 40))

        Console.WriteLine(vbCrLf & _
            "Use the registry editor to examine the key.")
        Console.WriteLine("Press the Enter key to delete the key.")
        Console.ReadLine()
        Registry.CurrentUser.DeleteSubKey(subkey)
    End Sub
End Class
'
' This code example produces output similar to the following:
'
'NoSuchName: Return this default if NoSuchName does not exist.
'(Default): 5280
'TestLong: 12345678901234
'TestArray(0): One
'TestArray(1): Two
'TestArray(2): Three
'TestExpand: My path: %path%
'TestExpand2: My path: D:\Program Files\Microsoft.NET\...
'
'Use the registry editor to examine the key.
'Press the Enter key to delete the key.

Remarks

This class provides the set of standard root keys found in the registry on machines running Windows. The registry is a storage facility for information about applications, users, and default system settings. For example, applications can use the registry for storing information that needs to be preserved after the application is closed, and access that same information when the application is reloaded. For instance, you can store color preferences, screen locations, or the size of the window. You can control this data for each user by storing the information in a different location in the registry.

The base, or root RegistryKey instances that are exposed by the Registry class delineate the basic storage mechanism for subkeys and values in the registry. All keys are read-only because the registry depends on their existence. The keys exposed by Registry are:

CurrentUser Stores information about user preferences.

LocalMachine Stores configuration information for the local machine.

ClassesRoot Stores information about types (and classes) and their properties.

Users Stores information about the default user configuration.

PerformanceData Stores performance information for software components.

CurrentConfig Stores non-user-specific hardware information.

DynData Stores dynamic data.

Once you have identified the root key under which you want to store/retrieve information from the registry, you can use the RegistryKey class to add or remove subkeys, and manipulate the values for a given key.

Hardware devices can place information in the registry automatically using the Plug and Play interface. Software for installing device drivers can place information in the registry by writing to standard APIs.

Static Methods for Getting and Setting Values

The Registry class also contains static GetValue and SetValue methods for setting and retrieving values from registry keys. These methods open and close registry keys each time they are used, so they do not perform as well as analogous methods in the RegistryKey class, when you access a large number of values.

The RegistryKey class also provides methods that allow you to set Windows access control security for registry keys, to test the data type of a value before retrieving it, and to delete keys.

Fields

ClassesRoot	Defines the types (or classes) of documents and the properties associated with those types. This field reads the Windows registry base key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.
CurrentConfig	Contains configuration information pertaining to the hardware that is not specific to the user. This field reads the Windows registry base key HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG.
CurrentUser	Contains information about the current user preferences. This field reads the Windows registry base key HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
LocalMachine	Contains the configuration data for the local machine. This field reads the Windows registry base key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
PerformanceData	Contains performance information for software components. This field reads the Windows registry base key HKEY_PERFORMANCE_DATA.
Users	Contains information about the default user configuration. This field reads the Windows registry base key HKEY_USERS.

Methods

GetValue(String, String, Object)	Retrieves the value associated with the specified name, in the specified registry key. If the name is not found in the specified key, returns a default value that you provide, or null if the specified key does not exist.
SetValue(String, String, Object)	Sets the specified name/value pair on the specified registry key. If the specified key does not exist, it is created.
SetValue(String, String, Object, RegistryValueKind)	Sets the name/value pair on the specified registry key, using the specified registry data type. If the specified key does not exist, it is created.

See also

• RegistryHive
• RegistryKey