New-ItemProperty

Creates a new property for an item and sets its value.

Syntax

New-ItemProperty
   [-Path] <String[]>
   [-Name] <String>
   [-PropertyType <String>]
   [-Value <Object>]
   [-Force]
   [-Filter <String>]
   [-Include <String[]>]
   [-Exclude <String[]>]
   [-Credential <PSCredential>]
   [-WhatIf]
   [-Confirm]
   [<CommonParameters>]
New-ItemProperty
   -LiteralPath <String[]>
   [-Name] <String>
   [-PropertyType <String>]
   [-Value <Object>]
   [-Force]
   [-Filter <String>]
   [-Include <String[]>]
   [-Exclude <String[]>]
   [-Credential <PSCredential>]
   [-WhatIf]
   [-Confirm]
   [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The New-ItemProperty cmdlet creates a new property for a specified item and sets its value. Typically, this cmdlet is used to create new registry values, because registry values are properties of a registry key item.

This cmdlet does not add properties to an object.

  • To add a property to an instance of an object, use the Add-Member cmdlet.
  • To add a property to all objects of a particular type, modify the Types.ps1xml file.

Examples

Example 1: Add a registry entry

This command adds a new registry entry, NoOfEmployees, to the MyCompany key of the HKLM:\Software hive.

The first command uses the Path parameter to specify the path of the MyCompany registry key. It uses the Name parameter to specify a name for the entry and the Value parameter to specify its value.

The second command uses the Get-ItemProperty cmdlet to see the new registry entry.

New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\Software\MyCompany" -Name "NoOfEmployees" -Value 822
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\MyCompany"

PSPath        : Microsoft.PowerShell.Core\Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\mycompany
PSParentPath  : Microsoft.PowerShell.Core\Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software
PSChildName   : mycompany
PSDrive       : HKLM
PSProvider    : Microsoft.PowerShell.Core\Registry
NoOfLocations : 2
NoOfEmployees : 822

Example 2: Add a registry entry to a key

This command adds a new registry entry to a registry key. To specify the key, it uses a pipeline operator (|) to send an object that represents the key to New-ItemProperty.

The first part of the command uses the Get-Item cmdlet to get the MyCompany registry key. The pipeline operator sends the results of the command to New-ItemProperty, which adds the new registry entry (NoOfLocations), and its value (3), to the MyCompany key.

Get-Item -Path "HKLM:\Software\MyCompany" | New-ItemProperty -Name NoOfLocations -Value 3

This command works because the parameter-binding feature of PowerShell associates the path of the RegistryKey object that Get-Item returns with the LiteralPath parameter of New-ItemProperty. For more information, see about_Pipelines.

Example 3: Create a MultiString value in the registry using a Here-String

This example creates a MultiString value using a Here-String.

$newValue = New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\ContosoCompany\" -Name 'HereString' -PropertyType MultiString -Value @"
This is text which contains newlines
It can also contain "quoted" strings
"@
$newValue.multistring

This is text which contains newlines
It can also contain "quoted" strings

Example 4: Create a MultiString value in the registry using an array

The example shows how to use an array of values to create the MultiString value.

$newValue = New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\ContosoCompany\" -Name 'MultiString' -PropertyType MultiString -Value ('a','b','c')
$newValue.multistring[0]

a

Parameters

-Confirm

Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.

Type:SwitchParameter
Aliases:cf
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Credential

Specifies a user account that has permission to perform this action. The default is the current user.

Type a user name, such as User01 or Domain01\User01, or enter a PSCredential object, such as one generated by the Get-Credential cmdlet. If you type a user name, you are prompted for a password.

Note

This parameter is not supported by any providers installed with PowerShell. To impersonate another user, or elevate your credentials when running this cmdlet, use Invoke-Command.

Type:PSCredential
Position:Named
Default value:Current user
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Exclude

Specifies, as a string array, an item or items that this cmdlet excludes in the operation. The value of this parameter qualifies the Path parameter. Enter a path element or pattern, such as *.txt. Wildcard characters are permitted. The Exclude parameter is effective only when the command includes the contents of an item, such as C:\Windows\*, where the wildcard character specifies the contents of the C:\Windows directory.

Type:String[]
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:True

-Filter

Specifies a filter to qualify the Path parameter. The FileSystem provider is the only installed PowerShell provider that supports the use of filters. You can find the syntax for the FileSystem filter language in about_Wildcards. Filters are more efficient than other parameters, because the provider applies them when the cmdlet gets the objects rather than having PowerShell filter the objects after they are retrieved.

Type:String
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:True

-Force

Forces the cmdlet to create a property on an object that cannot otherwise be accessed by the user. Implementation varies from provider to provider. For more information, see about_Providers.

Type:SwitchParameter
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Include

Specifies, as a string array, an item or items that this cmdlet includes in the operation. The value of this parameter qualifies the Path parameter. Enter a path element or pattern, such as *.txt. Wildcard characters are permitted. The Include parameter is effective only when the command includes the contents of an item, such as C:\Windows\*, where the wildcard character specifies the contents of the C:\Windows directory.

Type:String[]
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:True

-LiteralPath

Specifies a path to one or more locations. The value of LiteralPath is used exactly as it is typed. No characters are interpreted as wildcards. If the path includes escape characters, enclose it in single quotation marks ('). Single quotation marks tell PowerShell not to interpret any characters as escape sequences.

For more information, see about_Quoting_Rules.

Type:String[]
Aliases:PSPath, LP
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Name

Specifies a name for the new property. If the property is a registry entry, this parameter specifies the name of the entry.

Type:String
Aliases:PSProperty
Position:1
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Path

Specifies the path of the item. Wildcard characters are permitted. This parameter identifies the item to which this cmdlet adds the new property.

Type:String[]
Position:0
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:True

-PropertyType

Specifies the type of property that this cmdlet adds. The acceptable values for this parameter are:

  • String: Specifies a null-terminated string. Used for REG_SZ values.
  • ExpandString: Specifies a null-terminated string that contains unexpanded references to environment variables that are expanded when the value is retrieved. Used for REG_EXPAND_SZ values.
  • Binary: Specifies binary data in any form. Used for REG_BINARY values.
  • DWord: Specifies a 32-bit binary number. Used for REG_DWORD values.
  • MultiString: Specifies an array of null-terminated strings terminated by two null characters. Used for REG_MULTI_SZ values.
  • Qword: Specifies a 64-bit binary number. Used for REG_QWORD values.
  • Unknown: Indicates an unsupported registry data type, such as REG_RESOURCE_LIST values.
Type:String
Aliases:Type
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Value

Specifies the property value. If the property is a registry entry, this parameter specifies the value of the entry.

Type:Object
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-WhatIf

Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.

Type:SwitchParameter
Aliases:wi
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

Inputs

None

You can't pipe objects to this cmdlet.

Outputs

PSCustomObject

This cmdlet returns a custom object representing the new property.

Notes

New-ItemProperty is designed to work with the data exposed by any provider. To list the providers available in your session, type Get-PSProvider. For more information, see about_Providers.