Cannot write to Registry Key, getting UnauthorizedAccessException

c# .net windows exception-handling registry
dmck picture dmck · Dec 16, 2010 · Viewed 22.7k times · Source

I have a windows service that attempt to write to a registry key in LOCAL_MACHINE

The key is created as part of a windows installer package the controls the windows service and a stand alone control window.

The control window can read and write the registry key fine, however I cannot write to the registry key even when I give full permissions to LOCAL SERVICE.

This is the code that throws the exception:

private void updateLocalRegistryVersion(Double newVersion)
{
    RegistryKey rk = Registry.LocalMachine;
    RegistryKey sk = rk.OpenSubKey(@"Software\CompanyName\Monitoring\Values");

    sk.SetValue("scriptversion", newVersion.ToString());
}

Any suggestions?

Answer

Nicole Calinoiu picture Nicole Calinoiu · Dec 16, 2010

RegistryKey.OpenSubKey(string) does not open the key for writing. Try using the OpenSubKey(string, bool) overload to specify that you want the key to be writable.

Related questions

How to delete a file after checking whether it exists

How can I delete a file in C# e.g. C:\test.txt, although apply the same kind of method like in batch files e.g. if exist "C:\test.txt" delete "C:\test.txt" else return nothing (ignore)

Read More
How do I start a process from C#?

How do I start a process, such as launching a URL when the user clicks a button?

Read More
How to shut down the computer from C#

What's the best way to shut down the computer from a C# program? I've found a few methods that work - I'll post them below - but none of them are very elegant. I'm looking for something that's simpler and …

Read More