Professional Windows® PowerShell

Chapter 20. Working with the Registry

Windows PowerShell provides several command shell providers that allow you to work with data stores in a similar way to the ways you can work with the file system when using CMD.exe. By using a familiar file system metaphor, you should be able to navigate effectively in other hierarchical data stores without difficulty, assuming that you understand the structure of the store. Among the data stores that Windows PowerShell allows you to access in this way are the HKLM (HKey_Local_Machine) and HKCU (HKey_Current_User) hives of the Windows registry.

Windows PowerShell provides cmdlets to allow you to explore two registry hives and to alter the values held in registry keys. This functionality is powerful and flexible but, as with everything relating to the registry, you need to proceed with caution. If you make inappropriate changes to the registry, it is certainly possible to end up with a machine that won't run correctly or may not run at all. So be warned. Make changes to the registry only when you understand the implications of what you are doing. And check carefully for typos and other errors before you commit a change.