Windows 7: A couple quick questions about .reg files...

Some .reg files give me the error "Cannot import [name/path of reg file]: Not all data was successfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other processes."



My question is not how to fix the error (plenty of info out there on that) but rather:

1. Does the .reg file stop executing at the point of the error? For instance if the bad key is somewhere in the middle does Windows import the keys in the .reg file up to that point then stop? Or does it just skip over that key and continue importing the other entries after it?
2. Does the error mean the .reg file doesn't import at all?
3. Is there a way to figure out which keys/processes the error is referring to?

Thanks...

Hello pjfarr,

That error means that the .reg file is trying to modify a registry key that your account does not have ownership of and/or permission to modify.

The .reg file will still import and modify everything except for the ones that you do not have permission to allow.

You could right click on the .reg file and click on Edit to see it's content. From there, you could manually check each key in the .reg file to see if you have ownership and/or "Full Access" permission of that key inside your registry (regedit). See step 3 in OPTION THREE below for more details to help with this.

Take Ownership of file - Vista Forums

I would highly recommend to not do this if you are not sure of what you are doing. One mistake made in the registry could leave you needing to reinstall Windows. Either way, I would strongly recommend to create a restore point before touching the registry in case a mistake was made, and you need to do a system restore to undo it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hey Shawn

That was exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks! I wasn't sure if the error meant the import was aborted or if it was imported up to the error or what. You certainly cleared that up.

I'm fairly PC savvy, and I'm experienced with the registry, so pokin' around in there doesn't make me nervous. I do always back up the key/hive I'm fiddling with and I'll sometimes set a restore beforehand as well.

Thanks again, man!

You're most welcome.