How to unlock Windows registry keys by editing your Windows Registry permissions for a certain key tuturials
This tutorial shows you how to gain access (unlock) a registry key that is locked by Windows ,and make your computer have sufficient access to the locked key you are trying to access.This error usually happens when you uninstall, install, or reinstall software on Windows Vista or other Windows version. The simpest way to fix this problem in Windows is to use Regedit to modify the permission settings and ownership settings in Windows Regedit.
The locked registry key error I have encountered when trying to install, update, or uninstall Microsoft Office 2007, Visual Studio 2005, MS SQL 2005, iTunes Quicktime, Opera Web Browser, Open Office and a few other applications in Windows Vista and 7. Locked registry keys sometimes also prevent Windows Update from updating your Windows and Microsoft based Software.
Sample Error message I got when I tried to uninstall Visual Basic 2008. All you have to do is change the registry key permission in Windows registry editor(regedit) to fix this problem.
You may need to use Windows Event Manager in the Windows Control Panel's Adminstrator program section to find out which Registry key needs to be unlocked, so you can uninstall, install, or update your software.
Step 1. Go to your Start menu thenopen the Run Dialog box then type in Regedit.Finally press okay.
Step 2. Go to the registry Key you need access to.
Step 3. Press OK
Step 4. Right click on the key then select the Permissions Option.
Step 5. Press Ok
Step 6. Press the Add Button on the Group or User names section of the Dialog box.
Step 7. Press the Advance Button on the Select Users or Groups Dialog box.
Step 8. Press Find Now, then pick your user name and folder you want to give permissions to for the registry key. It is Users/computer name for my computer, but could be different for your computer. When you pick the right user, press ok.
Step 9. Press OK
Step 10. Check the "Full Control" checkbox. then click on the Advanced button on the second last row.
Step 11. Click on the Owner Tab, and click on the "Other users and groups..." button.
Step 12. Press Find Now.
Step 13. pick your user name and folder you want to give permissions to for the registry key. It is Users/computer name for my computer, but could be different for your computer. When you pick the right user, press ok.
Step 14. Press OK
Step 15. Press OK
Step 16. Press OK
Step 17. Now you have unlock your registry key and can edit it, and let other programs access it, so you can reinstall, uninstall, install, edit your programs.
