Why does this not work

Thanks to al 3 of you: I obviously have my work cut out, with my additions (in HKCU\...folder or ...Directory) mixed in with those of installed programs, saved variously in HKLM & HKCU (not to mention the change of order depending on the folder contents). My additions have always ended up in 'top' because I didn't know about the option (and being mine, they are the most important, so will stay on top). I don't think I should spend any more time on this.

NB: I have always added mine using vbs, so the script can have commented-out lines for removing the entries when not required.

mngerhold said:

NB: I have always added mine using vbs, so the script can have commented-out lines for removing the entries when not required.

In a CMD script, use REM or :: to comment out lines.

But neither of those options will remove an entry! What I meant was this:

Code:

WSHShell.RegWrite "HKCU\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\rename_files\command\", "c:\program files\utils\rename.exe %1"
'WSHShell.RegDelete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\rename_files\command\"
'WSHShell.RegDelete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\rename_files\"

so removing the leading apostrophe removed the lines. Not elegant, but it saved delving into the registry, or learning how to add a 'remove' to a .reg file (I know now, having just looked it up: add a hyphen at the start of the line, or after "value=" or somesuch).

I should add I first did this 15 years ago on partially locked work PCs, where Regedit was not available (but for some reason I wasn't going to question, vbs scripts were permitted!).

Denis: yes, I see - if I had started using .reg files that is probably what i would have done. Martin

Reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\rename_files\" /f

In a CMD script, the above line will delete \rename_files\, while the following will not.

:: Reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\rename_files\" /f


:: denotes "Comment out". /f denotes "Force overwriting".

Thanks Matthew - I responded too quickly without thinking! I'm just stuck in the one groove.

How would you write the following in VBScript?

Code:

(REG ADD "HKCR\.lnk_elevated\ShellNew" /V "Command" /T REG_SZ /D "schtasks /run /tn ""Apps\Create_an_elevated_shortcut""" /F)

The above syntax has actually been used in the script in the tutorial below:
How to Add Create Elevated Shortcut to New Context Menu in Windows 10