Registry step (Software Packages)
The Registry step allows you to create or update a single Windows Registry value as part of a Software Package.
This step is commonly used to apply application configuration, feature flags, or settings that are not handled directly by an installer.
When to use a Registry step
Use a Registry step when you need to:
- Create a registry key if it does not already exist
- Set or update a single registry value
- Apply machine-level configuration during deployment
- Configure application settings post-install
If you need to apply multiple registry values at once, consider using a Registry (Bulk) step instead.
Registry step screen overview
When you add a Registry step to a Software Package, the Registry properties screen is displayed.
From this screen, you can configure:
- The registry Key Path
- The Value Name
- The Registry value type
- The Data written to the value
- Whether the step is Active
- Optional Checks and Targeting
Key Path
The Key Path defines the registry key where the value will be written.
Example:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\OneDeploy
If the key path does not already exist, it will be created automatically.
Value Name
The Value Name defines the name of the registry value within the specified key.
Example:ApplicationSetting
Registry value type
The Reg Type defines the data type of the registry value.
You can select from the following options:
- String (
REG_SZ) - DWord (
REG_DWORD) - QWord (
REG_QWORD) - Binary (
REG_BINARY) - Expand String (
REG_EXPAND_SZ) - Multi String (
REG_MULTI_SZ)
Choose the type that matches the application or configuration requirement.
Data
The Data field defines the value written to the registry.
The format of the data depends on the selected registry type.
Ensure the value entered matches what the application expects.
64-bit and 32-bit registry considerations
Registry steps are applied in the 64-bit registry context by default.
On a 64-bit operating system:
-
64-bit registry values are written under:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE -
32-bit registry values must be written under:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node
Example
To set a 32-bit application registry value on a 64-bit OS:
Key Path:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Vendor\AppName
This ensures the value is visible to 32-bit applications running on the system.
Using Checks with Registry steps
The Checks tab can be used to validate that a registry value was successfully created or updated.
- Confirms the requested registry key exists
- Confirms the value name exists
- Confirms the value data matches the expected setting
If a check fails, the Software Package can be halted, helping to catch configuration issues early and improve deployment reliability.
Common questions
Does the Registry step create missing keys?
Yes.
If the specified key path does not exist, it is created automatically.
Can I set multiple registry values in one step?
No.
The Registry step is designed for single values. Use Registry (Bulk) for multiple entries.
How do I set 32-bit registry values on a 64-bit OS?
Use the Wow6432Node path under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE.
Related articles
- Software Packages overview
- Steps tab overview
- Registry (Bulk) step
- Using Checks in Software Package steps