Member Avatar for MKIII

Hello all,

There are some empty folders in the Registry that won't delete and I don't know how to get around it?

I tried starting the computer in safe mode but it still won't delete??

It's a HP machine with XPSP2.


Any thoughts???


Thanks!!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by gerbil

Dani AI

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Quick checklist first: export the problematic key(s) and make a full registry backup or System Restore point before doing anything destructive. As suggested, export the key to a .reg file so you can restore it if needed.

If normal deletion fails the cause is usually permissions/ownership or a running service holding the key. One effective method is to run Regedit under the SYSTEM account (System can remove keys that Administrators cannot). Use Sysinternals PsExec and then open Regedit:

psexec -s -i regedit.exe

In the SYSTEM regedit session navigate to the key and try deleting it.

If that still fails, change owner/ACL on the key with SubInACL (Microsoft tool) and grant Administrators full control, for example:

subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\YourKey /setowner=Administrators
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\YourKey /grant=Administrators=F

Replace YourKey with the real key path and export/backup beforehand.

If a running service (antivirus, driver, etc.) prevents removal, stop or uninstall that product first or use an offline method: boot from WinPE/BartPE or attach the disk to another Windows install, open Regedit, select HKLM -> File -> Load Hive, point to the hive file (for local machine: C:\Windows\System32\config\SOFTWARE or the user NTUSER.DAT), mount it under a temporary name, delete the key, then unload the hive and reboot.

Cautions: editing hives offline or changing owners/ACLs can break the system if done incorrectly. If uncertain, post the exported .reg for the key (as asked) and note any security software installed; that makes it easier to give precise steps.

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Member Avatar for Member #127113

Folders in registry ?? are you talking about a keys which have long names like hex values etc..

Member Avatar for MKIII

They are just EMPTY folders in the registy that says: Cannot open x2VCD: error while opening key.

That's it! There is absolutely nothing in them??

I even tried it in safe mode to no avail??

Member Avatar for MKIII

Oh, I've tried ccleaner and quite a few other scanners, nothing has worked thus far.

ZHC
x2VCD
Webroot
Sonic Foundry

Member Avatar for gerbil

empty keys, you mean? don't worry about them... just looka t the overall size of the registry and see how insignificant a couple of null entries are. But cannot delete ANYTHING from reg? Post the keys [export them..]

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