Is it possible to reset a registry value to its default?

  • Thread starter Thread starter satv73
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satv73

Hi,
I am curious, whether we can reset a registry to its default value.
Assuming that my application is looking at a registry value[under one
of the system's keys under hkey_localmachine], and My application
doesn't know whether it has been changed by somebody or some other
applcation before. Now, at this point, is it possible to find out the
actual default value? (programmatically!)

Thanks
Sathish
 
As far as I know the only "Default" to check against would be against
the original system hive when Windows was installed, a copy of which
would be stored in C:\WINNT\repair. Mucking about with the System hive
might lead to great headaches that could include the pc not being able
to reboot.

John
 
In said:
As far as I know the only "Default" to check against would be
against the original system hive when Windows was installed, a
copy of which would be stored in C:\WINNT\repair. Mucking about
with the System hive might lead to great headaches that could
include the pc not being able to reboot.
Click to expand...

I would use "at time of installation value" here rather than
"default" OP. Just a niggle.

Examining the installation log one (did/did not) make during
application installation would be easiest I believe. Also the
installation package might (or not) contain configuration files
listing the installation registry changes in some cases.
Occasionally an INF file might be a source. Another argument for
regular Full Registry Backups to be made and archived periodically
such they are stored against future reference need. But the
"installation track and log" tool is my favorite documentation.

Caution, this next is very application-dependent.
With backup/export in hand and in some applications, "missing" keys
and values may be auto-set to a "default" or "initial" state on
application execution. In this case (HKLM) that would be when run
under Administrator authority. YMMV widely.

I withhold comments on possible "repair" effects in MSI apps. <G>


Hi,
I am curious, whether we can reset a registry to its default
value.
Assuming that my application is looking at a registry
value[under one of the system's keys under hkey_localmachine],
and My application doesn't know whether it has been changed by
somebody or some other applcation before. Now, at this point,
is it possible to find out the actual default value?
(programmatically!)

Thanks
Sathish
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Mark said:
In microsoft.public.win2000.registry John John wrote:




I would use "at time of installation value" here rather than
"default" OP. Just a niggle.
Click to expand...

Indeed. Anything else might lead to major headaches, especially when it
concerns the System hive!

John
 
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