Windows 10: Cannot edit registry

Hello. I can't edit anything in the registry. I searched on a solution and all I could find was people saying to change the permissions, which I have done, but it still won't let me edit anything, the same error message pops up as before. Can anyone help please?

:)

 

cannot edit registry editor keys

Mike,

Not sure why it doesn't work under built-in admin account. But anyway, using the built-in admin account is not recommended. Does creating a 2nd admin account and running it from there help? App Remover, although recommended often in this forum I haven't
had a chance to try it myself.

Also, check out these links if they can help.

Install Error "App failed to start because its side-by-side config is incorrect"

Avast WEBforum - Index

(this looks promising)

Avast Error -- Won't Start - Page 2 - Anti-Virus, Anti-Malware, and Privacy Software

 

cannot edit registry editor keys

The keys are correct and they're using NT Object Manager / Symbolic names. And the reason you can't modify is because of insufficient NTFS permissions or the key is being protected by Avast's real-time protection if it's On.

 

Not until you tell us a bit more. What action did you take to make the error message pop up? What does it say? Can you post a screenshot?

 

There's a number of things i'm trying to do as it's a new laptop, but as an example, it says cannot edit disableantispyware: error writing the value's new contents

All permissions are set to full control, but the same error message came up before i changed permissions

 

Hey Kane,
The registry keys your trying to change are probably Owned by TrustedInstaller, so you will have to change the Owner to your User. If you do change the Owner, make sure you change it back to TustedInstaller when done.

Change Owner of File, Folder, Drive, or Registry Key in Windows 10 Security System Tutorials

Change Permissions of Objects for Users and Groups in Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

How to Gain Full Permissions to Edit Protected Registry Keys

You could try PowerRun to make these changes - Download PowerRun - MajorGeeks
1. Start PowerRun
2. Add regedit.exe by clicking the +Gear Icon
3. Run regedit from PowerRun
4. When finished, close regedit, then close PowerRun

Note: As I'm sure you're aware, regedit is trying to protect you ... by not letting you change those keys *Smile

 

As Eagle51 observes, Regedit is trying to protect you from unintended consequences of your actions. I'm not sure what you're trying to achieve here, but delving into the registry to disable/enable Defender protection would not be my first action on a new laptop.

If Defender is disabled then that's probably due to another AV being installed. The usual way to enable Defender would be to uninstall the 3rd-party AV. Likewise, if you want to disable Defender to allow another AV to install, the AV's own Setup should do that for you. Either way, I can't see why you'd want to edit the registry directly.

If you really must change it yourself, Option Two in this tutorial provides .reg files to do that for you.

Turn On or Off Windows Defender in Windows 10

 

Gain full control over the manufacturer by doing a clean install. You may loose the warranty, but playing in Regedit has the same effect.

Running Defender alone is a better choice. Go for 16299.15.