Can't modify registry key even after changing permissions

Hey, I think I had a breakthrough!

I exported a backup of the shell subkey then attempted to delete it from the registry to try and rebuild it from scratch manually. I got an error "Cannot delete shell: Error while deleting key" but the Firefox entries I'd made under that key vanished anyway while leaving the default entries (Open, Print, etc.).

I then attempted to re-import the regfile I exported earlier and got an error "Error accessing the registry" but the Firefox entries from the regfile still reappeared.

But now I'm able to create the new "Open with Chrome" subkey under the shell key, following the same structure I used for "Open with Firefox". However, right-clicking on an URL shortcut and choosing "Open with Chrome", while it does open Chrome, it displays the "Properties" of the shortcut itself instead of the webpage of the URL. "Open with Firefox" still works properly.

Nevermind, it looks like it's an issue with Chrome itself:

https://code.google.com/p/chromium/i...tail?id=114871

But the original issue with the registry permissions has been worked out, so thanks so much for the time you put into this, I really appreciate it!

Thanks for all the cool tweaking info! I actually am an avid tweaker, but have been trying to curb my compulsive urge to tweak. Sometimes things go wrong under the radar and I don't realize it until weeks later when I notice something is suddenly buggy and then I have no idea what tweaking may have caused it. That's probably how that reg key got f'ed up in the first place, lol.