Write registry entries¶

This page allows you to configure registry entries that the package will create or modify on the destination computer. While this can also be achieved with custom actions, the Registry Entry Manager simplifies the process.

Registry Entry Manager¶

• Add an Entry: Click the Add button to open the entry editor dialog.
• Edit an Entry: Select an entry and click the Edit button, or double-click the entry.
• Remove an Entry: Select an entry and click the Remove button or press DEL.
• Import/Export Registry Files: Use the REG tools button to import or export .reg files.

Using the mouse context menu (right-click a registry item), you can also copy, cut, or paste entries. This is useful for duplicating entries with similar properties.

Import/Export Registry Files¶

You can import registry entries from .reg files created with RegEdit (RegEdit.exe). .reg files in the REGEDIT 5.0 or REGEDIT 4.0 format (non-Unicode) are supported. Files in other formats will cause an exception.

When exporting from RegEdit, select the REGEDIT5 format.

Only string, dword and qword values are imported; other entries are ignored.

Exported .reg files are compatible with RegEdit and can be edited using NotePad or other text editors.

Entry Editor¶

• Using the Editor: The registry entry editor allows you to create or modify registry settings. Refer to the Write a registry entry custom action help topic for detailed explanations.
• Component: Assign the registry entry to a component. Components listed in the dropdown determine whether the registry entry will be created. Select None to always create the entry.

Accessing an Alternate Registry View¶

By default, a 32-bit package accesses the 32-bit registry view on WOW64, while a 64-bit package accesses the 64-bit view. Custom actions for registry modifications have an Access property to specify the desired view:

• regaDefault: Default behavior based on the package type.
• regaWOW64_64KEY: Access a 64-bit registry key from either a 32-bit or 64-bit package.
• regaWOW64_32KEY: Access a 32-bit registry key from either a 32-bit or 64-bit package.

Refer to Microsoft Windows documentation for more details.

Notes¶

• To modify the default value of a registry key, leave the "Ident" field blank.
• Paquet Builder supports four registry entry types: string (REG_SZ), dword (REG_DWORD and REG_QWORD), and expanded strings (REG_EXPAND_SZ). Be sure to specify the type when creating entries.
• Advanced Users Only: Editing the Windows Registry is recommended only for users familiar with its functionality.
• Administrative Rights: Modifying registry entries under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE requires administrative privileges. Use the %ISADMIN% variable to check user permissions.
• Registry entries created through the manager are automatically removed by the uninstaller by default.