Unable to delete/modify registry keys - XP SP2 installation fails

[Joe in CT]

I've run into a problem where Regedit will not allow me to delete some
registry keys. The keys are corrupted and cause the XP SP2 install to fail.
I'm not sure how these keys were corrupted, but whenever I try to delete,
open, repair, or rename these keys, Regedit displays an error message similar
to the following: "The Registry Editor cannot delete <key name>. Error while
deleting key."

All of the keys I'm trying to delete/repair are in HKCR. Some examples are
HKCR\.ASR, HKCR\.AudioCD, HKCR\.PSP

I've also tried to overwrite the keys by importing a .REG file that contains
entries for the keys I looking to delete. The import fails.

I've run Registry Cleaners (like RegistryFix) and I've run the Microsoft
Registry Repair Utility. These attempts failed as well.

I've scanned for viruses and worms using Norton Antivirus 2005. That didn't
resolve the issue.

Does anyone have any other suggestions that I might try? Thanks in advance
for any help you can give.

Joe in CT

[the staring frogs of Southern Iberia]

Recently had to change some keys in the reg and had a similar
problem. I found that since I wasn't the administrator XP wouldn't let me do
anything in there. I had to right click the key, get into permissions and
temporarily change the permissions to allow everyone to edit the reg. I also
found that it had to be done everytime I wanted to change a different key.
I'm sure there's a way to allow permission to various users but I just
didn't bother doing it yet since it's not often I'm changing much in the
registry. This may allow your changes.

[lforbes]

"joeinct" wrote:
> I've run into a problem where Regedit will not allow me to
> delete some
> registry keys. The keys are corrupted and cause the XP SP2
> install to fail.
> I'm not sure how these keys were corrupted, but whenever I try
> to delete,
> open, repair, or rename these keys, Regedit displays an error
> message similar
> to the following: "The Registry Editor cannot delete <key
> name>. Error while
> deleting key."
>
> All of the keys I'm trying to delete/repair are in HKCR. Some
> examples are
> HKCR.ASR, HKCR.AudioCD, HKCR.PSP
>
> I've also tried to overwrite the keys by importing a .REG file
> that contains
> entries for the keys I looking to delete. The import fails.
>
> I've run Registry Cleaners (like RegistryFix) and I've run the
> Microsoft
> Registry Repair Utility. These attempts failed as well.
>
> I've scanned for viruses and worms using Norton Antivirus
> 2005. That didn't
> resolve the issue.
>
> Does anyone have any other suggestions that I might try?
> Thanks in advance
> for any help you can give.
>
> Joe in CT

Hi,

Security is the issue. Run Regedt32. Go to the Keys. Right Click and
choose Permissions. Change the permissions to Everyone Full Control.

You should be able to delete it now.
They are not listing under my HKCurrent User so they aren’t default
windows files.

Cheers,

Lara

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[Joe in CT]

Lara,
Thanks for your reply. I should have added that I have logged on to Windows
with the Administrator account and have tried to set the permissions for the
keys in question. Windows throws an error message stating that it is "unable
to change permissions".

I think that (somehow) the keys are in a partiallt deleted state and as a
result Windows won't let me remove ormodify them.

"lforbes" wrote:

> "joeinct" wrote:
> > I've run into a problem where Regedit will not allow me to
> > delete some
> > registry keys. The keys are corrupted and cause the XP SP2
> > install to fail.
> > I'm not sure how these keys were corrupted, but whenever I try
> > to delete,
> > open, repair, or rename these keys, Regedit displays an error
> > message similar
> > to the following: "The Registry Editor cannot delete <key
> > name>. Error while
> > deleting key."
> >
> > All of the keys I'm trying to delete/repair are in HKCR. Some
> > examples are
> > HKCR.ASR, HKCR.AudioCD, HKCR.PSP
> >
> > I've also tried to overwrite the keys by importing a .REG file
> > that contains
> > entries for the keys I looking to delete. The import fails.
> >
> > I've run Registry Cleaners (like RegistryFix) and I've run the
> > Microsoft
> > Registry Repair Utility. These attempts failed as well.
> >
> > I've scanned for viruses and worms using Norton Antivirus
> > 2005. That didn't
> > resolve the issue.
> >
> > Does anyone have any other suggestions that I might try?
> > Thanks in advance
> > for any help you can give.
> >
> > Joe in CT
>
> Hi,
>
> Security is the issue. Run Regedt32. Go to the Keys. Right Click and
> choose Permissions. Change the permissions to Everyone Full Control.
>
> You should be able to delete it now.
> They are not listing under my HKCurrent User so they aren’t default
> windows files.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Lara
>
> --
> http://www.WindowsForumz.com/ This article was posted by author's request
> Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards
> Topic URL: http://www.WindowsForumz.com/General-Discussion-Unable-delete-modify-registry-keys-XP-SP2-installation-fails-ftopict244459.html
> Visit Topic URL to contact author (reg. req'd). Report abuse: http://www.WindowsForumz.com/eform.php?p=745090
>

[lforbes]

Hi,

> Windows throws an error message stating that it is "unable to
change
> permissions

That is definitely weird. Must be something corrupted. Have you tried
SafeMode? That would be my only other suggestion before doing a system
restore to a previous state.

Cheers,

Lara

[tigerg]

I am having a similar problem with a registry key. I have XP Pro with SP2
installed. When I click on the key I get an error that the key can't be
opened. When I right click and try to change the permissions I get an error
that I am not allowed to see the key but can change the permissions. I have
changed the permissions to give everyone full control but then I try to apply
I get a permission denied. And yes I am using the administrator account.

I think lforbes is right that the key is in some partially deleted state. I
was installing an upgrade when the upgrade failed because it could not delete
the key.

Is there anyway to delete the key such as a VB script?

[tigerg]

I found the a fix for my problem! I checked the ownership on the key and it
was "unknown". I made my administrator account the owner of the key and then
changed the permissions so that Everyone has Full Control. I can now access
the key and the program I was trying to install was installed successfully.

[Kelly]

Great, glad to hear it and thanks for the feedback. :o)

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com


"tigerg" > wrote in message
...
>I found the a fix for my problem! I checked the ownership on the key and
>it
> was "unknown". I made my administrator account the owner of the key and
> then
> changed the permissions so that Everyone has Full Control. I can now
> access
> the key and the program I was trying to install was installed
> successfully.

[lforbes]

Hi,

>I checked the ownership on the key and it was "unknown". I made my
>administrator account the owner of the key and then changed the
>permissions

Nicely done. Glad you found the fix. It may help Joe as well.

Cheers,

Lara

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