Regedit file format

Question

I would like to document the file format of regedit utility, so data can be merged into the registry.

From the command-line you can (silently) merge data from a batch file like this:

regedit /s file.reg

Exporting from a subkey goes like this:

regedit /e file.reg "HKEY_XX\key"

I don't think SO's intention is to rebuild all the knowledge of the internet in one place, but rather to fill the gaps a Google search leaves open. — Tomalak, Dec 02 '08 at 15:29
On the other hand, rebuilding all the world's knowledge IS [Wikipedia's mission](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Registry#.REG_files) (found, as @Tomalak hinted, by the same Google search that led to this question) — David Pope, Dec 23 '12 at 17:45

score 22 · Accepted Answer · edited Jan 16 '17 at 15:08

22

Remove keys and values by using the minus sign (-).

REGEDIT4
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\RemoveThisTree]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\RemoveValue]
"valueName"=-

Minus sign to delete mentioned here: MSKB310516: How to add, modify, or delete registry subkeys and values by using a .reg file (Archived here.)
Minus sign to delete, semicolon to comment and IF/ENDIF mentioned here: MSDN: Registry File (Compact 2013) (Archived here.)

edited Jan 16 '17 at 15:08

StackzOfZtuff

answered Dec 02 '08 at 14:58

doekman

2

Cool, I didn't know the minus sign removed registry keys and values. Good info. – Ron Todosichuk Dec 08 '08 at 14:51
IF ENDIF is neither used by `reg` command nor `regedit`. It is about `Platform Builder for Windows Embedded Compact 2013. – Lorenz Meyer Apr 17 '19 at 08:10

score 15 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 02 '08 at 15:02

15

Documenting the .reg file format is really more Microsoft's job.

answered Dec 02 '08 at 15:02

P Daddy

2

Although that documentation is not entirely. Go Microsoft. – Jan 02 '10 at 04:02

2 Answers2