Correct Method for Specifying Registry Keys

Title

Summary

You should declare szKey as a STRING variable and use the concatenate (+) operator and double backslash (\\) to add subkeys, as shown in the example script below.

Synopsis

This article discusses the correct format for the szKey value in the InstallShield registry-related functions.

Applicable to Project Types:
Basic MSI
InstallScript
InstallScript MSI

Discussion

You should declare szKey as a STRING variable and use the concatenate (+) operator and double backslash (\\) to add subkeys, as shown in the example script below.

Do not use the append to path (^) operator, as this turns szKey into a valid path with a ".\" in front of it. This format will not create the key on certain operating systems.

Do not use a "\\" at the beginning of szKey. This format will not create the key on certain operating systems.

The following example script places a "Test Value" under the registry key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TestKey\Company.

/////////////// Begin script sample
#define COMPANY_NAME "Company";
function SetRegKey()
STRING szBaseKey, szKey, szValue;

begin
  // Set the root key.
  RegDBSetDefaultRoot (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT);

  // Set the values for creating the test key.
  szBaseKey = "TestKey";
  szKey = szBaseKey + "\\" + COMPANY_NAME;
  szValue = "TestValue";

  // Set the key name and a value associated with it.
  if (RegDBSetKeyValueEx (szKey, "", REGDB_STRING, szValue, -1) < 0) then
    MessageBox ("Failed to set key and value.",WARNING);
    exit;
  else
    // Check for the existence of the key just created.
    if (RegDBKeyExist (szKey) < 0) then
      MessageBox ("`TestKey` key does not exist.", WARNING);
      exit;
    else
      SprintfBox (INFORMATION, "Status", "Created key: %s", szKey);
    endif;
  endif;
end;

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Case id: 00001065