34.3. winreg — Windows registry access

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These functions expose the Windows registry API to Python. Instead of using an integer as the registry handle, a handle object is used to ensure that the handles are closed correctly, even if the programmer neglects to explicitly close them.

Changed in version 3.3: Several functions in this module used to raise a WindowsError, which is now an alias of OSError.

34.3.1. Functions

This module offers the following functions:

winreg.CloseKey(hkey)

Closes a previously opened registry key. The hkey argument specifies a previously opened key.

Note

If hkey is not closed using this method (or via hkey.Close()), it is closed when the hkey object is destroyed by Python.

winreg.ConnectRegistry(computer_name, key)

Establishes a connection to a predefined registry handle on another computer, and returns a handle object.

computer_name is the name of the remote computer, of the form r"\\computername". If None, the local computer is used.

key is the predefined handle to connect to.

The return value is the handle of the opened key. If the function fails, an OSError exception is raised.

Changed in version 3.3: See above.

winreg.CreateKey(key, sub_key)

Creates or opens the specified key, returning a handle object.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

sub_key is a string that names the key this method opens or creates.

If key is one of the predefined keys, sub_key may be None. In that case, the handle returned is the same key handle passed in to the function.

If the key already exists, this function opens the existing key.

The return value is the handle of the opened key. If the function fails, an OSError exception is raised.

Changed in version 3.3: See above.

winreg.CreateKeyEx(key, sub_key, reserved=0, access=KEY_WRITE)

Creates or opens the specified key, returning a handle object.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

sub_key is a string that names the key this method opens or creates.

reserved is a reserved integer, and must be zero. The default is zero.

access is an integer that specifies an access mask that describes the desired security access for the key. Default is KEY_WRITE. See Access Rights for other allowed values.

If key is one of the predefined keys, sub_key may be None. In that case, the handle returned is the same key handle passed in to the function.

If the key already exists, this function opens the existing key.

The return value is the handle of the opened key. If the function fails, an OSError exception is raised.

New in version 3.2.

Changed in version 3.3: See above.

winreg.DeleteKey(key, sub_key)

Deletes the specified key.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

sub_key is a string that must be a subkey of the key identified by the key parameter. This value must not be None, and the key may not have subkeys.

This method can not delete keys with subkeys.

If the method succeeds, the entire key, including all of its values, is removed. If the method fails, an OSError exception is raised.

Changed in version 3.3: See above.

winreg.DeleteKeyEx(key, sub_key, access=KEY_WOW64_64KEY, reserved=0)

Deletes the specified key.

Note

The DeleteKeyEx() function is implemented with the RegDeleteKeyEx Windows API function, which is specific to 64-bit versions of Windows. See the RegDeleteKeyEx documentation.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

sub_key is a string that must be a subkey of the key identified by the key parameter. This value must not be None, and the key may not have subkeys.

reserved is a reserved integer, and must be zero. The default is zero.

access is an integer that specifies an access mask that describes the desired security access for the key. Default is KEY_WOW64_64KEY. See Access Rights for other allowed values.

This method can not delete keys with subkeys.

If the method succeeds, the entire key, including all of its values, is removed. If the method fails, an OSError exception is raised.

On unsupported Windows versions, NotImplementedError is raised.

New in version 3.2.

Changed in version 3.3: See above.

winreg.DeleteValue(key, value)

Removes a named value from a registry key.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

value is a string that identifies the value to remove.

winreg.EnumKey(key, index)

Enumerates subkeys of an open registry key, returning a string.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

index is an integer that identifies the index of the key to retrieve.

The function retrieves the name of one subkey each time it is called. It is typically called repeatedly until an OSError exception is raised, indicating, no more values are available.

Changed in version 3.3: See above.

winreg.EnumValue(key, index)

Enumerates values of an open registry key, returning a tuple.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

index is an integer that identifies the index of the value to retrieve.

The function retrieves the name of one subkey each time it is called. It is typically called repeatedly, until an OSError exception is raised, indicating no more values.

The result is a tuple of 3 items:

Index	Meaning
0	A string that identifies the value name
1	An object that holds the value data, and whose type depends on the underlying registry type
2	An integer that identifies the type of the value data (see table in docs for SetValueEx())

Changed in version 3.3: See above.

winreg.ExpandEnvironmentStrings(str)

Expands environment variable placeholders %NAME% in strings like REG_EXPAND_SZ:

>>> ExpandEnvironmentStrings('%windir%')
'C:\\Windows'

winreg.FlushKey(key)

Writes all the attributes of a key to the registry.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

It is not necessary to call FlushKey() to change a key. Registry changes are flushed to disk by the registry using its lazy flusher. Registry changes are also flushed to disk at system shutdown. Unlike CloseKey(), the FlushKey() method returns only when all the data has been written to the registry. An application should only call FlushKey() if it requires absolute certainty that registry changes are on disk.

Note

If you don’t know whether a FlushKey() call is required, it probably isn’t.

winreg.LoadKey(key, sub_key, file_name)

Creates a subkey under the specified key and stores registration information from a specified file into that subkey.

key is a handle returned by ConnectRegistry() or one of the constants HKEY_USERS or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

sub_key is a string that identifies the subkey to load.

file_name is the name of the file to load registry data from. This file must have been created with the SaveKey() function. Under the file allocation table (FAT) file system, the filename may not have an extension.

A call to LoadKey() fails if the calling process does not have the SE_RESTORE_PRIVILEGE privilege. Note that privileges are different from permissions – see the RegLoadKey documentation for more details.

If key is a handle returned by ConnectRegistry(), then the path specified in file_name is relative to the remote computer.

winreg.OpenKey(key, sub_key, reserved=0, access=KEY_READ)

winreg.OpenKeyEx(key, sub_key, reserved=0, access=KEY_READ)

Opens the specified key, returning a handle object.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

sub_key is a string that identifies the sub_key to open.

reserved is a reserved integer, and must be zero. The default is zero.

access is an integer that specifies an access mask that describes the desired security access for the key. Default is KEY_READ. See Access Rights for other allowed values.

The result is a new handle to the specified key.

If the function fails, OSError is raised.

Changed in version 3.2: Allow the use of named arguments.

Changed in version 3.3: See above.

winreg.QueryInfoKey(key)

Returns information about a key, as a tuple.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

The result is a tuple of 3 items:

Index	Meaning
0	An integer giving the number of sub keys this key has.
1	An integer giving the number of values this key has.
2	An integer giving when the key was last modified (if available) as 100’s of nanoseconds since Jan 1, 1601.

winreg.QueryValue(key, sub_key)

Retrieves the unnamed value for a key, as a string.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

sub_key is a string that holds the name of the subkey with which the value is associated. If this parameter is None or empty, the function retrieves the value set by the SetValue() method for the key identified by key.

Values in the registry have name, type, and data components. This method retrieves the data for a key’s first value that has a NULL name. But the underlying API call doesn’t return the type, so always use QueryValueEx() if possible.

winreg.QueryValueEx(key, value_name)

Retrieves the type and data for a specified value name associated with an open registry key.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

value_name is a string indicating the value to query.

The result is a tuple of 2 items:

Index	Meaning
0	The value of the registry item.
1	An integer giving the registry type for this value (see table in docs for SetValueEx())

winreg.SaveKey(key, file_name)

Saves the specified key, and all its subkeys to the specified file.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

file_name is the name of the file to save registry data to. This file cannot already exist. If this filename includes an extension, it cannot be used on file allocation table (FAT) file systems by the LoadKey() method.

If key represents a key on a remote computer, the path described by file_name is relative to the remote computer. The caller of this method must possess the SeBackupPrivilege security privilege. Note that privileges are different than permissions – see the Conflicts Between User Rights and Permissions documentation for more details.

This function passes NULL for security_attributes to the API.

winreg.SetValue(key, sub_key, type, value)

Associates a value with a specified key.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

sub_key is a string that names the subkey with which the value is associated.

type is an integer that specifies the type of the data. Currently this must be REG_SZ, meaning only strings are supported. Use the SetValueEx() function for support for other data types.

value is a string that specifies the new value.

If the key specified by the sub_key parameter does not exist, the SetValue function creates it.

Value lengths are limited by available memory. Long values (more than 2048 bytes) should be stored as files with the filenames stored in the configuration registry. This helps the registry perform efficiently.

The key identified by the key parameter must have been opened with KEY_SET_VALUE access.

winreg.SetValueEx(key, value_name, reserved, type, value)

Stores data in the value field of an open registry key.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

value_name is a string that names the subkey with which the value is associated.

reserved can be anything – zero is always passed to the API.

type is an integer that specifies the type of the data. See Value Types for the available types.

value is a string that specifies the new value.

This method can also set additional value and type information for the specified key. The key identified by the key parameter must have been opened with KEY_SET_VALUE access.

To open the key, use the CreateKey() or OpenKey() methods.

Value lengths are limited by available memory. Long values (more than 2048 bytes) should be stored as files with the filenames stored in the configuration registry. This helps the registry perform efficiently.

winreg.DisableReflectionKey(key)

Disables registry reflection for 32-bit processes running on a 64-bit operating system.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

Will generally raise NotImplemented if executed on a 32-bit operating system.

If the key is not on the reflection list, the function succeeds but has no effect. Disabling reflection for a key does not affect reflection of any subkeys.

winreg.EnableReflectionKey(key)

Restores registry reflection for the specified disabled key.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

Will generally raise NotImplemented if executed on a 32-bit operating system.

Restoring reflection for a key does not affect reflection of any subkeys.

winreg.QueryReflectionKey(key)

Determines the reflection state for the specified key.

key is an already open key, or one of the predefined HKEY_* constants.

Returns True if reflection is disabled.

Will generally raise NotImplemented if executed on a 32-bit operating system.

34.3.2. Constants

The following constants are defined for use in many _winreg functions.

34.3.2.1. HKEY_* Constants

winreg.HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

Registry entries subordinate to this key define types (or classes) of documents and the properties associated with those types. Shell and COM applications use the information stored under this key.

winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER

Registry entries subordinate to this key define the preferences of the current user. These preferences include the settings of environment variables, data about program groups, colors, printers, network connections, and application preferences.

winreg.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Registry entries subordinate to this key define the physical state of the computer, including data about the bus type, system memory, and installed hardware and software.

winreg.HKEY_USERS

Registry entries subordinate to this key define the default user configuration for new users on the local computer and the user configuration for the current user.

winreg.HKEY_PERFORMANCE_DATA

Registry entries subordinate to this key allow you to access performance data. The data is not actually stored in the registry; the registry functions cause the system to collect the data from its source.

winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG

Contains information about the current hardware profile of the local computer system.

winreg.HKEY_DYN_DATA

This key is not used in versions of Windows after 98.

34.3.2.2. Access Rights

For more information, see Registry Key Security and Access.

winreg.KEY_ALL_ACCESS

Combines the STANDARD_RIGHTS_REQUIRED, KEY_QUERY_VALUE, KEY_SET_VALUE, KEY_CREATE_SUB_KEY, KEY_ENUMERATE_SUB_KEYS, KEY_NOTIFY, and KEY_CREATE_LINK access rights.

winreg.KEY_WRITE

Combines the STANDARD_RIGHTS_WRITE, KEY_SET_VALUE, and KEY_CREATE_SUB_KEY access rights.

winreg.KEY_READ

Combines the STANDARD_RIGHTS_READ, KEY_QUERY_VALUE, KEY_ENUMERATE_SUB_KEYS, and KEY_NOTIFY values.

winreg.KEY_EXECUTE

Equivalent to KEY_READ.

winreg.KEY_QUERY_VALUE

Required to query the values of a registry key.

winreg.KEY_SET_VALUE

Required to create, delete, or set a registry value.

winreg.KEY_CREATE_SUB_KEY

Required to create a subkey of a registry key.

winreg.KEY_ENUMERATE_SUB_KEYS

Required to enumerate the subkeys of a registry key.

winreg.KEY_NOTIFY

Required to request change notifications for a registry key or for subkeys of a registry key.

winreg.KEY_CREATE_LINK

Reserved for system use.

34.3.2.2.1. 64-bit Specific

For more information, see Accessing an Alternate Registry View.

winreg.KEY_WOW64_64KEY

Indicates that an application on 64-bit Windows should operate on the 64-bit registry view.

winreg.KEY_WOW64_32KEY

Indicates that an application on 64-bit Windows should operate on the 32-bit registry view.

34.3.2.3. Value Types

For more information, see Registry Value Types.

winreg.REG_BINARY

Binary data in any form.

winreg.REG_DWORD

32-bit number.

winreg.REG_DWORD_LITTLE_ENDIAN

A 32-bit number in little-endian format. Equivalent to REG_DWORD.

winreg.REG_DWORD_BIG_ENDIAN

A 32-bit number in big-endian format.

winreg.REG_EXPAND_SZ

Null-terminated string containing references to environment variables (%PATH%).

winreg.REG_LINK

A Unicode symbolic link.

winreg.REG_MULTI_SZ

A sequence of null-terminated strings, terminated by two null characters. (Python handles this termination automatically.)

winreg.REG_NONE

No defined value type.

winreg.REG_QWORD

A 64-bit number.

New in version 3.6.

winreg.REG_QWORD_LITTLE_ENDIAN

A 64-bit number in little-endian format. Equivalent to REG_QWORD.

New in version 3.6.

winreg.REG_RESOURCE_LIST

A device-driver resource list.

winreg.REG_FULL_RESOURCE_DESCRIPTOR

A hardware setting.

winreg.REG_RESOURCE_REQUIREMENTS_LIST

A hardware resource list.

winreg.REG_SZ

A null-terminated string.

34.3.3. Registry Handle Objects

This object wraps a Windows HKEY object, automatically closing it when the object is destroyed. To guarantee cleanup, you can call either the Close() method on the object, or the CloseKey() function.

All registry functions in this module return one of these objects.

All registry functions in this module which accept a handle object also accept an integer, however, use of the handle object is encouraged.

Handle objects provide semantics for __bool__() – thus

if handle:
    print("Yes")

will print Yes if the handle is currently valid (has not been closed or detached).

The object also support comparison semantics, so handle objects will compare true if they both reference the same underlying Windows handle value.

Handle objects can be converted to an integer (e.g., using the built-in int() function), in which case the underlying Windows handle value is returned. You can also use the Detach() method to return the integer handle, and also disconnect the Windows handle from the handle object.

PyHKEY.Close()

Closes the underlying Windows handle.

If the handle is already closed, no error is raised.

PyHKEY.Detach()

Detaches the Windows handle from the handle object.

The result is an integer that holds the value of the handle before it is detached. If the handle is already detached or closed, this will return zero.

After calling this function, the handle is effectively invalidated, but the handle is not closed. You would call this function when you need the underlying Win32 handle to exist beyond the lifetime of the handle object.

PyHKEY.__enter__()

PyHKEY.__exit__(*exc_info)

The HKEY object implements __enter__() and __exit__() and thus supports the context protocol for the with statement:

with OpenKey(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, "foo") as key:
    ...  # work with key

will automatically close key when control leaves the with block.