* Registry Subkey

Beginning with Windows 7, the * (asterisk) registry subkey specifies that a removable device capability override applies to all device nodes (devnodes) enumerated for the device identified through either the HardwareID or CompatibleID registry subkey. For more information about removable device capability overrides, see DeviceOverrides Registry Key.

The * registry subkey applies the removable device capability override to all devnodes specified through the HardwareID or CompatibleID registry subkeys, based on the rules of the LocationPaths or ChildLocationPaths registry subkey specified for the override. For example, if the * registry subkey is specified within a LocationPaths subkey, the removable device capability override applies to all parent devnodes for devices identified through the parent HardwareID or CompatibleID registry subkey.

The following table defines the format and requirements of the * registry subkey.

Registry subkey name Required/optional Format requirements Parent subkey Child subkeys
* Optional None LocationPaths or ChildLocationPaths None

Either the LocationPath or * registry subkeys must be present to indicate the scope of the removable device capability override.

The * registry subkey must contain a Removable DWORD value that specifies whether the device is removable or not. The following table defines the valid Removable values.

Removable value Explanation
0 The applicable devnodes should be regarded as not removable
1 The applicable devnodes should be regarded as removable