RegFlushKey

The RegFlushKey function writes all the attributes of the specified open registry key into the registry.

LONG RegFlushKey(
  HKEY hKey   // handle to key to write
);

Parameters

hKey

[in] Handle to a currently open key or one of the following predefined reserved handle values:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
HKEY_CURRENT_USER
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
HKEY_USERS
Windows NT/2000: HKEY_PERFORMANCE_DATA
Windows 95/98: HKEY_DYN_DATA

Return Values

If the function succeeds, the return value is ERROR_SUCCESS.

If the function fails, the return value is a nonzero error code defined in Winerror.h. You can use the FormatMessage function with the FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM flag to get a generic description of the error.

Remarks

It is not necessary to call RegFlushKey to change a key. Registry changes are flushed to disk by the registry using its lazy flusher. Lazy flushing occurs automatically and regularly after a system-specified interval of time. Registry changes are also flushed to disk at system shutdown.

Unlike RegCloseKey, the RegFlushKey function returns only when all the data has been written to the registry.

The RegFlushKey function may also write out parts of or all of the other keys. Calling this function excessively can have a negative effect on an application's performance.

An application should only call RegFlushKey if it requires absolute certainty that registry changes are on disk. In general, RegFlushKey rarely, if ever, need be used.

Windows 95/98: No registry subkey or value name may exceed 255 characters.

Requirements

  Windows NT/2000: Requires Windows NT 3.1 or later.
  Windows 95/98: Requires Windows 95 or later.
  Header: Declared in Winreg.h; include Windows.h.
  Library: Use Advapi32.lib.

See Also

Registry Overview, Registry Functions, RegCloseKey, RegDeleteKey