How can I automate updates to the registry?

A. There are 2 main methods you can use to create scripts that can be run to automate the updates. The first is to create a .reg file which can then be run using

regedit /s

The format of the file is

REGEDIT4
[]
""="" a string value
""=hex: a binary value
""=dword: a dword value

for example

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelDesktop]
"Wallpaper"="E:\WINNT\savtech.bmp"
"TileWallpaper"="0"

[HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelColors]
"Background"="0 0 0"

Would set the default background and color before anyone logs on.

The second method is to user a Windows 95 style .inf file. These are run using the command

rundll32 syssetup,SetupInfObjectInstallAction DefaultInstall 128

The format of the file is as follows

[Version]
Signature = "$Windows NT$"
Provider=%Provider%

[Strings]
Provider="SavillTech Ltd"

[DefaultInstall]
AddReg = AddReg
DelReg = DelReg
UpdateInis = UpdateInis

[AddReg]
[DelReg]
[UpdateInis]

Below are the keys to be used

The file below is an .inf file which performs the same as the .reg file described earlier

[Version]
Signature = "$Windows NT$"

[DefaultInstall]
AddReg = AddReg

[AddReg]
HKU,".DEFAULTControl PanelColors","Background",0000000000,"0 0 0"
HKU,".DEFAULTControl PanelDesktop","Wallpaper",0000000000,"E:WINNTsavtech.bmp"
HKU,".DEFAULTControl PanelDesktop","TileWallpaper",0000000000,"1"

INF files can be generated automatically using the SYSDIFF utility if you have a difference file (sysdiff /inf )

A registry entry can also be deleted using .REG files. That is, if one has a.reg file with, e.g.,

[HKEY_CURRENT_USERTest]

to enter a key, then one can use

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USERTest]

to remove it.