Full access to the registry keys in Windows 8

stass · 14th November 2012, 05:46

I need to delete the key:

code:
DeleteRegKey HKCU "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.jpg\UserChoice"

and then create it with a different value :

code:
WriteRegStr HKCU "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.jpg\UserChoice" "Progid" "MyApp.jpg"

This key need full access. Any means to gain full access you can not .. AccessControl plugin does not work in Windows 8 ...
Please help to solve this problem.

Anders · 14th November 2012, 06:41

This registry key is protected to stop people like you from messing with it.

You are supposed register your application/file type in the documented way, the user will then pick their desired default.

The FileExts key was added as a layer on top of that and only explorer is supposed to touch it. The UserChoice key was added later and defines the default progid. In Win8 the security of this key was changed, probably because people could not keep their fingers away from it.

redxii · 14th November 2012, 06:42

I'm not sure why you don't already have full access, since it is under HKCU. But, Windows 8 prevents programatically changing a user's file associations anyway so it might not work, the user has to manually associate it in Default Programs.

stass · 14th November 2012, 06:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anders

This registry key is protected to stop people like you from messing with it.

You are supposed register your application/file type in the documented way, the user will then pick their desired default.

No messing with these keys is not going.

Write a program with a fixed file associations.
How to do this using NSIS?

Quote:

This registry key is protected

I asked a specific question - how to remove this protection?

Anders · 14th November 2012, 06:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by redxii

I'm not sure why you don't already have full access, since it is under HKCU. But, Windows 8 prevents programatically changing a user's file associations anyway so it might not work, the user has to manually associate it in Default Programs.

You don't have write access to all keys under HKCU, the policy key(s) etc...

Anders · 14th November 2012, 06:54

MSDN has information about file types:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...=vs.85%29.aspx
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...=vs.85%29.aspx

stass · 14th November 2012, 06:55

You can implement this in the AccessControl plugin?

Anders · 14th November 2012, 06:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by stass

You can implement this in the AccessControl plugin?

You are not supposed to touch the UserChoice key, use the documented keys, they don't require special access...

Anders · 14th November 2012, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by stass

I asked a specific question - how to remove this protection?

People will use this information for evil, it is better for Windows users everywhere if it stays a secret...

stass · 14th November 2012, 07:07

I understand ... But why not help the user NSIS, setting he needed associations? For example, to make a plugin for the file associations in windows 8. Can it be a secret?

Anders · 14th November 2012, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by stass

I understand ... But why not help the user NSIS, setting he needed associations? For example, to make a plug for the file associations in windose 8. Can it be a secret?

See the MSDN links I posted, this is all the information you need to register a file type...

ronacker · 10th December 2013, 20:57

This is a bit of a tangent but...

I have a Bluetooth keyboard that has become "un-paired" with my Win8 tablet. When I try to "re-pair" it, Win 8 doesn't show it because it is already in Device manager. The posts from other sites say to uninstall the device but not only does that not work but the device keeps coming back. I figured the only way to get it completely uninstalled was to delete all of the entries in the registry that reference its internal address but some are protected and won't let me delete them.

So, any MSDN links or other suggestions on how to fix this without having full access to the registry?

14th November 2012, 05:46	#1
stass Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 166	Full access to the registry keys in Windows 8 I need to delete the key: code: DeleteRegKey HKCU "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.jpg\UserChoice" and then create it with a different value : code: WriteRegStr HKCU "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.jpg\UserChoice" "Progid" "MyApp.jpg" This key need full access. Any means to gain full access you can not .. AccessControl plugin does not work in Windows 8 ... Please help to solve this problem.

14th November 2012, 06:41	#2
Anders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ${NSISDIR} Posts: 5,442	This registry key is protected to stop people like you from messing with it. You are supposed register your application/file type in the documented way, the user will then pick their desired default. The FileExts key was added as a layer on top of that and only explorer is supposed to touch it. The UserChoice key was added later and defines the default progid. In Win8 the security of this key was changed, probably because people could not keep their fingers away from it. IntOp $PostCount $PostCount + 1

14th November 2012, 06:54	#6
Anders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ${NSISDIR} Posts: 5,442	MSDN has information about file types: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...=vs.85%29.aspx http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...=vs.85%29.aspx IntOp $PostCount $PostCount + 1

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

14th November 2012, 06:42	#3
redxii Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 115	I'm not sure why you don't already have full access, since it is under HKCU. But, Windows 8 prevents programatically changing a user's file associations anyway so it might not work, the user has to manually associate it in Default Programs.

14th November 2012, 06:55	#7
stass Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 166	You can implement this in the AccessControl plugin?

14th November 2012, 07:07	#10
stass Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 166	I understand ... But why not help the user NSIS, setting he needed associations? For example, to make a plugin for the file associations in windows 8. Can it be a secret?

10th December 2013, 20:57	#12
ronacker Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 1	This is a bit of a tangent but... I have a Bluetooth keyboard that has become "un-paired" with my Win8 tablet. When I try to "re-pair" it, Win 8 doesn't show it because it is already in Device manager. The posts from other sites say to uninstall the device but not only does that not work but the device keeps coming back. I figured the only way to get it completely uninstalled was to delete all of the entries in the registry that reference its internal address but some are protected and won't let me delete them. So, any MSDN links or other suggestions on how to fix this without having full access to the registry?