Scripted registry access in 64-bit OS
I'm currently running Windows 7 x64, and whenever I use a KScript via direct action or launching a .vbs dependency file to read or write to the registry, it's accessing the 32-bit registry hive.
For example, when I write a value to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags, it's actually writing to:
HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags, I suppose because it's coming from a 32-bit app, or system account, or something.
When I launch the same script as a local admin, it properly accesses the 64-bit hive at the location specified.
Any thoughts, or suggestions for being able to access the proper registry location?
For example, when I write a value to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags, it's actually writing to:
HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags, I suppose because it's coming from a 32-bit app, or system account, or something.
When I launch the same script as a local admin, it properly accesses the 64-bit hive at the location specified.
Any thoughts, or suggestions for being able to access the proper registry location?
0 Comments
[ + ] Show comments
Answers (9)
Please log in to answer
Posted by:
dtuttle
15 years ago
You might notice how the default Kbox script for defragmenting a computer is affected with this. You will have to send dos commands to the PC the same way.
|Dale
|Dale
Posted by:
mich3ael
14 years ago
Sorry for dropping that question and then staying away so long.
I figured out a workaround that I've been using since... including the 64-bit version of wscript.exe as a dependency with any scripts that need access to the 64-bit registry hive. Since the KBOX agent is a 32-bit app, all the defaults are set to 32-bit hives, and any scripts are launched with the 32-bit version of wscript.exe. So by including and forcing execution with the 64-bit wscript.exe, I have direct access to the 64-bit registry hive without having to significantly change my scripts or execution commands (except changing KBOX_SYS_DIR to KACE_DEPENDENCY_DIR when I specify where to launch wscript.exe from).
I figured out a workaround that I've been using since... including the 64-bit version of wscript.exe as a dependency with any scripts that need access to the 64-bit registry hive. Since the KBOX agent is a 32-bit app, all the defaults are set to 32-bit hives, and any scripts are launched with the 32-bit version of wscript.exe. So by including and forcing execution with the 64-bit wscript.exe, I have direct access to the 64-bit registry hive without having to significantly change my scripts or execution commands (except changing KBOX_SYS_DIR to KACE_DEPENDENCY_DIR when I specify where to launch wscript.exe from).
Posted by:
cblake
15 years ago
Sounds like you've uncovered a bug. Have you contacted support@kace.com?
Posted by:
jkatkace
15 years ago
What version of the KBOX and the agent are you on?
Have you tried explicitly writing the registry via the Launch Command function?
Have you tried explicitly writing the registry via the Launch Command function?
Posted by:
dtuttle
15 years ago
I've been through this...
for 32bit - call the 32bit cmd
for 64bit call the 64bit cmd
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa384187(VS.85).aspx
for 32bit - call the 32bit cmd
for 64bit call the 64bit cmd
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa384187(VS.85).aspx
Posted by:
GillySpy
15 years ago
To support what Dale said here's a sample command line to update 64-bit keys
c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe /c regedit.exe /s ourfile.reg
Even if we know about issues however we would like to hear from affected customers -- your ticket will either report a new bug or register a vote against an existing bug which helps it get visibility within engineering.
c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe /c regedit.exe /s ourfile.reg
Even if we know about issues however we would like to hear from affected customers -- your ticket will either report a new bug or register a vote against an existing bug which helps it get visibility within engineering.
Posted by:
scottlutz
13 years ago
Since there hasn't been any activity on this post for a while, and since I came across the same issue when trying to query a 64-bit registry, I thought I would share my findings.
From this page:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa393067%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
I was able to craft a vbscript that queries both 32 and 64 bit registries, depending on the target platform.
HTH,
Scott
From this page:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa393067%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
I was able to craft a vbscript that queries both 32 and 64 bit registries, depending on the target platform.
HTH,
Scott
Posted by:
snissen
13 years ago
I'm an experienced Windows 7 and XP packager who has not worked with 64-bit Windows until now. When I read this article, I was astounded at the differences for scripters between 32- and 64-bit Windows:
http://csi-windows.com/blog/all/27-csi-news-general/266-scripting-migrating-and-managing-registry-data-in-64-bit-windows
I went on to take this class so I could understand the things I needed to know to work in 64-bit Windows using the KBOX 1000:
http://csi-windows.com/courses/windows64bit
I highly recommend this class as the quickest way to understand the subtle differences in the operating environments. And remember that the KBOX agent, like the SCCM client, is a 32-bit executable! Sande
http://csi-windows.com/blog/all/27-csi-news-general/266-scripting-migrating-and-managing-registry-data-in-64-bit-windows
I went on to take this class so I could understand the things I needed to know to work in 64-bit Windows using the KBOX 1000:
http://csi-windows.com/courses/windows64bit
I highly recommend this class as the quickest way to understand the subtle differences in the operating environments. And remember that the KBOX agent, like the SCCM client, is a 32-bit executable! Sande
Posted by:
sbequette
13 years ago
for this very reason i am in process of converting most of my scripts to powershell.
Rating comments in this legacy AppDeploy message board thread won't reorder them,so that the conversation will remain readable.