Error deleting the registry key

Before creating ways to solve problems with the removal of records from the registry editor, we clarify that in most cases the operations performed lead to any changes in the operating system. Sometimes they are even critical and have a negative impact on the work of specific programs or the entire Windows. If you are not confident in your actions, prepare a backup of the registry or the OS recovery point just in case.

Option 1: Run the registry editor on behalf of the administrator

Problems with deleting some sections are sometimes related to the fact that system protection is installed on them, that is, not every user has rights to interact with directories. The easiest solution to this situation is the launch of the registry editor application on behalf of the administrator to use all privileges. This action is made through the "Start", where you need to find the application and select the appropriate item in the right menu.

Option 2: Permissions Management

Each directory in the Registry Editor is assigned their own permissions tied to read and edit access. There is a possibility that the section that you need has confused or inappropriate settings, which is why it is difficult to remove it. To verify this theory, follow these steps:

Run the registry editor as it was shown in the previous method, or use any other method, for example, by calling the "Run" utility by pressing the Win + R keys and entering the REGEDIT there.

Watch the required section required to delete and right-click on it.

From the context menu that appears, select "Permissions".

Under the block with permissions and forns, click the "Advanced" button.

From above, you will see the string "owner", and in front of it the "Change" button. Press it if the owner is the "system". If your username is standing there, skip this method and go to the next one.

In the user selection window, immediately enter your own, and if it is difficult to write in the correct spelling, go to "Optional".

Run the search for accounts by clicking on "Search".

Wait for the results loading and find your profile on the list.

After its choice, return to the previous menu and click "OK" to confirm the changes.

Now you will see that the owner of the section has changed. Close the window with permissions and proceed to check the effectiveness of the method.

Option 3: Using PSTOOLS

PSTOOLS - a set of console utilities, officially distributed by Microsoft. It is designed to administer a computer running Windows. We will not disassemble all the utilities present there, but only clarify that one of them allows you to run applications on behalf of the system, which will be useful when solving the task. It will save from problems with permissions and deleting the selected registry key will pass without any errors.

Use the button above to go to the PSTOOLS page and download the utility set.

Upon completion, open the resulting archive.

Copy all files there.

Transfer them to the Windows system folder so that when accessing utilities, each time you did not have to enter their full path.

By the way, you can try to unzip only the PSEXEC utility, but its performance is not guaranteed in this case.

Run the "command line" by any method convenient for you - for example, through the same utility to "execute" by entering in it CMD.

Write the PSEXEC -I -S REGEDIT command and press ENTER to use it.

A "Registry Editor" window will open, which is usually looking for, but this time the management of them is carried out on behalf of the system. Find there the desired directory and try to remove it.

Option 4: Using Registry DeleteEx

As an option - you can use third-party applications designed specifically for interaction with the registry. One of the most popular is called Registry Deletex. The essence of working with it is that the user enters the key, clicks the button, and the program is deleted by receiving all the necessary rights and permissions.

When moving to the download page, Registry DeleteEx, pay attention to the existence of a portable version. It does not need to be installed on the computer, the received exe file can be immediately run and start working.

It is in the archive, to unpack which is suitable for absolutely any thematic software.

After starting, open the registry editor and copy the path to the section to be deleted.

Insert the path to the program and confirm it to clean.

Pay attention to other tabs: they will use if in addition to removing the key you need to clean any values or perform more radical actions in the registry than only experts are usually dealing.

Option 5: Registrar Registry Manager

Registrar Registry Manager is not just a graphic application for performing only one action, this is a full-fledged alternative client that allows you to work with the registry and perform approximately the same operations, but more convenient thanks to the optimized interface and additional functions.

When downloading Registrar Registry Manager, choose a free version - Home Edition. It is quite enough to solve the task.

When you first start, wait a few minutes and do not close the active window, as scanning and converting the keys.

On the question of importing bookmarks and tweaks, you can answer negatively, since now we do not need it.

In a new window, click the "Home Edition" button by ignoring the purchase of an extended version.

Use the main window to find the required section in the registry.

Right-click on it and from the context menu that appears, select "Delete".

Option 6: Virus checking for viruses

Sometimes the user wants to delete the registry key created by the previously installed program, but this fails to be done due to the emergence of various errors or the lack of access rights. In most cases, at least one of the previous ways turn out to be workers, however, if they are unsuitable, there is a reason to assume that the PC is infected with the virus that this program protrudes, who recorded the section in the registry. You will need to download any convenient antivirus and run scanning. If you detect threats, remove them and check if the section disappeared from the registry or it has become available to delete.