Regdel.exe Cannot Delete Values, Can Only Delete Keys

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Resource Kit version 4.0

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring Registry Key" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

Regdel.exe does not appear to work and will not return any error codes.

CAUSE

Regdel.exe is a resource kit utility that can be used to delete keys from the local registry or from a remote registry. Regdel.exe cannot be used to delete values, only keys.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topic in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

Regdel will only delete registry entries under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, and will default to this registry key.

For example: to delete all the keys and their associated values underneath HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Test, type:

   regdel "software\microsoft\test"