Saving Key in RegEdt32 May Cause Access Denied Error

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS

When you try to save a Registry key within Registry Editor you receive the following error message:

   Access Denied: Insufficient Privilege To Save Key.

CAUSE

This error occurs by design when the top level of a Registry hive is selected for a Save Key operation. This occurs even if you are logged on as the Administrator with Full Control permissions on the top level of each Registry key.

This error also occurs because these hives, HKEY_USERS and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, consist of other hives, namely HKEY_CURRENT_USER or HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.

NOTE: This error does not occur when HKEY_CURRENT_USER and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT is selected and Save Key is selected.

RESOLUTION

You can successfully save subhives elsewhere in the tree, or save the complete Registry. To save the complete Registry, you must either perform a complete tape backup with the Backup Registry option selected, or use the Regback utility included as part of the Microsoft Windows NT Resource Kit.