Remote Registry Import

[Michael]

Hello all,

 

I'm looking for a quick and easy way to install a REG file I have exported to specific workstations within a domain environment.

 

Windows XP's Regedit does not allow REG files to be imported remotely and although I could install the REG file silently, there doesn't appear to be a method of specifying which machines I'd like the file to be installed.

 

I've come to two conclusions, that I either need:

 

- A third party Registry utility or

 

- A script or adaptation of the regedit /s command to specify workstations.

 

All recommendations/suggestions welcome!

 

Many thanks

[mattx]

Hello all,

 

I'm looking for a quick and easy way to install a REG file I have exported to specific workstations within a domain environment.

 

Windows XP's Regedit does not allow REG files to be imported remotely and although I could install the REG file silently, there doesn't appear to be a method of specifying which machines I'd like the file to be installed.

 

I've come to two conclusions, that I either need:

 

- A third party Registry utility or

 

- A script or adaptation of the regedit /s command to specify workstations.

 

All recommendations/suggestions welcome!

 

Many thanks

 

 

AutoIT's regwrite function may help:

 

RegWrite ( "keyname" [,"valuename", "type", value] )

 

I use it quite a bit in my scripts.....

[cookie_monster]

I was going to suggest the PolicyMaker Registry Extension but MS have pulled the download now and it looks like it's only going to be part of server 2008. Most annoying as i've used it on 2003 server and it's really very good.

 

http://blog.stealthpuppy.com/group-policy/why-are-you-still-writing-adm-templates

[K.C.Leblanc]

Bung the reg file on a share and then use PSexec to run regedit remotely.

[cookie_monster]

Or run a bat file in a startup script, you could filter the GPO containing the startup script using group filtering.

 

Put this in the bat file.

 

Regedit /s %Logonserver%\NETLOGON\fix.reg

 

However if you only need to do this once PSexec is probably a better bet.

[Michael]

Thanks for all your suggestions guys, much appreciated.

 

I think PsExec would probably be the best solution, however, in the end I ran the files manually from a network share on the 20 machines that needed it.

 

I did search for other Remote Registry type applications, however all of them were cr@p to be honest.

 

If there are any application writers out there, please create us an easy to use Remote Registry tool

[Kyle]

Can't these changes be made via GPO anyway?

[Michael]

Well there was Policy Maker as suggested by cookie_monster, which could of worked (in theory), however it's now a feature for Windows Server 2008 only. I don't wish to run Windows Server 2008 until SP2 sometime in 2009.

 

I say SP2, as Windows Server 2008 is at SP1 already, inline with Vista SP1.

[plexer]

Google polreg.msi and you will find.

 

Ben

[Michael]

Thanks Plexer, but all the links are going here which is dead

 

Edit: I have found an active link here Get it whilst you can!

 

Edit Take 2: I've installed it, however it keeps crashing the MMC. I'm running 2003 SP2 with R2. Can anyone else verify this?

Edited March 12, 2008 by Michael