Windows 7: Windows cannot find C:\Windows\regedit.exe

I recently installed windows 7 pro x64 on a brand new computer that I built myself. My computer has two separate drives: A 64GB Kingston SSD used as a boot drive and a 500GB WD HDD. I installed windows 7 on the SSD and intend to use this drive ( C: just to store the operating system. I want everything else stored of the HDD which I labeled as my E: drive. To avoid program files from being installed on my C: by default ( Like microsoft office, which does not ask you the location where you wish to instal) I changed the default instalation diretion in the registration. Here is exactly what I did

- run regedit from cmd
-accesed HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
-changed ProgramFilesDir PATH from C:\Program Files to E:\Program files ( which I created myself), along with several other default paths
-Rebooted to allow changes to take affect

When the computer rebooted I tried to run regedit again and an error notification came up that says:

Windows cannot find C:\Windows\regedit.exe. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

Im assuming I made a mistake when entering the new path names but I can no longer view the registry to see ifthat is the case because no matter what I do I cannot get regedit to run. I have been looking around everywhere for a solution.
here are a list of solutions/possible causes that I have found, but that do not work in my case

-Malware, I understand this probibly is mostly commonly cause by malware or some virus. But my computer is brand new and I have yet to connect it to the internet, and I am the only one who has used it ( im working on a different pc right now)

-tried running regedt32 or regedit32 or REGEDIT or pretty much any other combination of the words 'reg' 'edit'

- Yes the regedit.exe does exist in the system. When I open C:\Windows I can see the regedit application, and yes it is stored as an application, and yes regedit32.exe is stored in C:\Windows\system32

I would realy like to find a solution to the problem that does not involve re-instaling windows or regedit, there has to be a way because liek I said it was probably cause by some typo and I know that the file is not corrupt or damaged.

You can check the current setup (path) if you can open a cmd window. type cmd in search then "path" that will tell you where windows thinks it should be looking. If the correct path (c:\%path%) is correct then you may just need to add regedit's location in path.

I suspect that wont help. I suspect you should restore from a backup if one exists, or do a repair install from the win 7 dvd.

Ken J

In addition to zigzag's suggestions,


You could first try replacing the Software hive in \Windows\System32\config with the one in \Windows\System32\config\RegBack.

You would need to do that offline - from a boot disc for example.

If you know where to look in the registry, you can access it from a boot disc - win 7 dvd/repair disc fror exmaple.

Go to command prompt, type regedit, in regedit main window click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

Click File >Load Hive, browse to your windows\system32\ regback software hive, select it - give it a name , e.g. PE_SOFT.

Find the key(s) you altered - export it (them ) to HD .

Click on PE_SOFT, unload Hive.

Repeat loading Hive - this time pick up \Windows\System32\config Software hive - give the same name , eg PE_SOFT.

DELETE the keys you altered.

Click File >Import - browse to the reg file you just saved and import it.

Unload PE_SOFT.

Reboot.


If that is too complicated, you can use free paragon fre rescue kit boot cd - boot it , select Normal Mode>File Transfer Wizard.

Rename \Windows\System32\config\ to SOFTWARE .OLD.

Browse to \Windows\System32\config\regback and copy the backup software hive from there to \Windows\System32\config

If not sure what you altered - you can copy all the hives from regback, instead of just the SOFTWARE hive

in start menu, accessories click run, in the run window type regedit , see if it works then.

when I tried to view the enviroment variables to check the PATH I got another error notification that says Windows cannot find C:\Windows\system32\SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe ..... Does that ring any bells with anyone?

I cannot cannot acces the registry no matter what I do, typing regedit just gives the error prompt

any point in running sfc/scannow from cmd. ?
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

LOL -the idea is , you boot the win 7 dvd - select repair my computer, go to command prompt, type regedit.exe .

You will be using regedit that is in windows pre install environment ( it will actually be x:\windows\regedit.exe. )

NOT regedit from your installed version of windows.



You would be better using the second method I suggested :

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/rk-express/


Use free paragon free rescue kit boot cd - boot it , select Normal Mode>File Transfer Wizard.

Browse to \Windows\System32\config\ and rename SOFTWARE to SOFTWARE .OLD.

Browse to \Windows\System32\config\regback and copy the backup SOFTWARE hive from there to \Windows\System32\config

If not sure what you altered - you can copy all the hives from regback, instead of just the SOFTWARE hive

I'm moving this post to a more appropriate thread.