Error the system was unable to find the specified registry key or value

Some users have reported that when trying to run a batch or trying to delete a registry key, the following error message appears stopping them from completing the task – Error: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value.

In this post, we are going to talk about this issue and see what you can do to resolve this error.

If you are seeing “The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value” error message in Windows 11/10 try the following solutions:

1. Check if you are deleting a key or value
2. Run System Restore
3. Run SFC and DISM
4. Run CHKDSK
5. Troubleshoot in Clean Boot
6. Repair System Files using Installation Media

Let us talk about them in detail.

1] Check if you are deleting a key or value

Some users who have reported this error are not deleting the key using the command, instead, they were deleting a value inside a key.

For example, one of the users was trying to run the following command to delete a key called Function.

reg delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftCryptographyConfigurationSSL0010002Functions" /f

Now, the problem, in this case, is that the command won’t work. They needed to run the following command to delete the function key that’s under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftCryptographyConfigurationSSL0010002.

Reg Delete "HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftCryptographyConfigurationSSL0010002" /V "Functions" /F > NUL

Make sure to run the command in the elevated mode of Command Prompt and you will be good to go.

2] Run System Restore

If you were deleting a key not a value and it’s not working, then the first thing you need to do is run the System Restore if you have created it beforehand, if not, you can skip this solution. It will revert your computer back to a time when things the issue was not there. To run System Restore, follow the prescribed steps.

1. Search out “System Restore Point” from the Start Menu.
2. Make sure that you are on the System Protection tab and click on the System Restore button.
3. Select a restore point and select Next.
4. Finally, follow the on-screen instruction to carry out the process.

Hopefully, this will do the job for you.

3] Run SFC and DISM

Next up, let us try and repair your system files. Maybe you are seeing this error message because your registries are corrupted. One way to repair those files is by running two cmd commands. Let us try to do the same. So, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following command.

sfc /scannow

If this doesn’t work we will run DISM in Command Prompt (admin) and see if that helps.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Once the process is completed, you need to reboot your system. Hopefully, this will do the job for you.

Also Read: How to repair or fix corrupt Registry in Windows

4] Run CHKDSK

We have another command that will search your disk for bad sectors and repair them. To run it, open Command Prompt in elevated mode and execute the following command.

chkdsk /x /f /r

You will see a message “Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N).”. Hit Y to confirm your actions.

Restart your computer and once the process is over, retry running the batch file and see if it helps.

5] Troubleshoot in Clean Boot

You may see the error message because of a third-party app. The app might interfere with your registry and stop it from getting deleted. Whatever the case is, you should perform Clean Boot and then try running the batch file, deleting the registry, etc. If this worked and you want to find out who is the culprit, try manually enabling processes and boil it down to one. Then, you can remove that program to make sure that you don’t encounter this error in the future.

Read: Delete locked Registry Keys with Registry DeleteEx

6] Repair System Files using Installation Media

If nothing works then try repairing your system files using Installation Media. After repairing your files, go ahead and see if the issue persists. Hopefully, this will do the job for you.

We hope that you are able to resolve this issue using these solutions.

How do I fix The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value?

The error code in question can be resolved using the solutions mentioned in this post. Mostly the error is caused due to corrupted registry or system files, so, mostly, you need to repair them. You can start troubleshooting from the first solution and then move your way down. One of the solutions will do the job for you.

Why Regedit is not opening?

Regedit may not open or starts crashing because of various reasons. If it’s crashing in the middle of the session, then maybe the maximum length of a Registry key is set to 255 bytes, in which case the Registry Editor keeps looking for it leading to a crash. Whatever the case is, check our guide on what to do if Registry Editor is not opening, crashing, or stopped working.

Also Read: How to Enable or Prevent access to Registry Editor

Are you constantly seeing the error message «System was unable to find the specified registry key or value»? This can be a frustrating problem to deal with, as it can prevent you from accessing certain programs or settings on your computer. But don’t worry. It’s not unfixable.

In this article, we’ll explore the potential causes of this error and provide practical solutions for resolving it.

Why System Was Unable to Find the Specified Registry Key or Value

The «System was unable to find the specified registry key or value» error message can occur at any time while using your computer, and many different issues can cause it. Here are some of the most common reasons why this error might appear:

1. 1. Deleting the wrong key: If you’re trying to make changes to the registry, it’s important to be careful when deleting keys. Accidentally deleting the wrong key can trigger this error message.
2. 2. Bad sectors: Hard drives can develop bad sectors over time, which can cause errors like this one to appear.
3. 3. Corrupted registries: The Windows registry is a crucial part of the Windows operating system, and any corruption in the registry can result in problems like this.
4. 4. Third-party program interference: Sometimes, third-party programs can interfere with the registry and cause this error to appear.

If you’re seeing the «System was unable to find the specified registry key or value» error message, one of these issues likely is to blame. In the next section, we’ll discuss ways to fix this problem and get your computer back to working smoothly.

How to Fix System Was Unable to Find the Specified Registry Key or Value

As mentioned earlier, the «system was unable to find the specified registry key or value» error can be fixed differently. Here are four solutions to try:

1. Fix 1. Check If You Are Deleting a Key or Value
2. Fix 2. Fix Bad Sectors on Hard Disk
3. Fix 3. Run SFC and DISM
4. Fix 4. Run Clean Boot

Now that we’ve introduced some potential solutions for fixing the «system was unable to find the specified registry key or value» error, let’s dive into how each fix can help you resolve the issue.

Fix 1: Check If You Are Deleting a Key or Value

If you’re attempting to make changes to the registry, it’s important to be careful when deleting keys or values. Many have reported accidentally deleting the wrong value in the key instead of deleting it, which triggered the «system was unable to find the specified registry key or value» error. To fix this issue, you’ll need to check if you are deleting the correct key or value. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor by typing «regedit» into the search bar and pressing Enter.

Step 2: Locate the key or value you are trying to delete. You may need to navigate through several folders to find it.

Step 3: Double-check that you have selected the correct key or value. If you are unsure, you can perform a search online to confirm that it is safe to delete.

Step 4: Delete the correct key or value once you have selected it.

Step 5: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

While at it, be careful when making changes to the registry, as it is a crucial part of the Windows operating system, and any mistakes can cause problems.

Fix 2. Fix Bad Sectors on Hard Disk

If the «System was unable to find the specified registry key or value» error is being caused by bad sectors on your hard drive, you may be able to resolve the issue by fixing them. One tool that can help with this is EaseUS Partition Master. This software includes a «surface test» function to identify and fix bad sectors on your hard drive.

Simply download and install the software, run the disk surface test, and follow the on-screen instructions in the following steps to fix any bad sectors that are found:

Step 1. Open EaseUS Partition Master. Right-click the disk that you want to check, and then click «Surface Test».

Step 2. The operation will be immediately performed and all bad sectors will be marked as red.

EaseUS Partition Master is a powerful tool to solve partition errors, and fix the corrupted file system. For example, it can fix UEFI boot Windows 10 and SD card not showing Windows 10. With this tool, you can resolve the «System was unable to find the specified registry key or value» error and get your computer back to working smoothly. 

Fix 3. Run SFC and DISM

If the error is being caused by a problem with the registry or other system files, running SFC and DISM utilities may be able to fix the issue. These tools are built into Windows and can help repair damaged system files. Here’s how to use them:

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, type «cmd» into the search bar, right-click on the Command Prompt icon, and select «Run as administrator.»

Step 2: Type «sfc /scannow» into the command prompt and press Enter. This will start the SFC scan.

Step 3: Wait for the scan to complete. This may take a few minutes. If any issues are found, the SFC utility will attempt to repair them.

Step 4: Type «dism/online /cleanup-image /restorehealth» into the Command Prompt and press Enter. This will start the DISM scan.

Step 5: Wait for the DISM scan to complete. This may also take a few minutes. If any issues are found, the DISM utility will attempt to repair them.

Step 6: Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

These steps should help you use the SFC and DISM to fix any problems with the registry or other system files that might be causing the error. You should, however, know that these tools are not sure-fire ways to fix all issues. So if the error persists after running them, just try an alternative fix.

Fix 4: Run a Clean Boot

Sometimes, third-party programs can mess with the registry and cause the «System was unable to find the specified registry key or value» error to appear. If you suspect this might be the case, you can try performing a clean boot to start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and programs. This can help you determine if a third-party program is causing the problem. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Open the System Configuration utility by typing «msconfig» into the search bar and pressing Enter.

Step 2: Click on the «Services» tab and check the «Hide all Microsoft services» box. This will allow you to see just the third-party services that are running.

Step 3: Click the «Disable all» button to disable all third-party services.

Step 4: Click on the «Startup» tab and click on the «Open Task Manager» button.

Step 5: In the Task Manager, select each startup item and click on the «Disable» button. This will disable all startup items.

Step 6: Close the Task Manager and click the «OK» button in the System Configuration window to save your changes.

Step 7: Restart your computer.

By following these steps, you will have performed a clean boot and started Windows with a minimal set of drivers and programs.

Bottom Line

In this guide, we explored some of the most common causes of the «system was unable to find the specified registry key or value» error and provided solutions for fixing it. Whether you’re dealing with a corrupted registry, bad sectors on the hard drive, or third-party program interference, we’ve covered you with these tried and tested fixes.

If you’re still having trouble with this error, we recommend giving EaseUS Partition Master a try. It can solve most problems related to disk partition. And this powerful software includes a «surface test» function that can help identify and fix bad sectors on your hard drive, which may be causing the «System was unable to find the specified registry key or value» error. So why wait? Download EaseUS Partition Master now and get your computer back to working smoothly.

FAQs of System Was Unable to Find the Specified Registry Key or Value

There are some frequently asked questions about the system was unable to find the specified registry key or value error. Hope these answers can be helpful to you.

1. How do I fix error access to the registry?

To fix an «access to the registry» error, try running the SFC (System File Checker) utility, which can repair damaged system files. You can also try running a clean boot to start Windows with minimal drivers and programs, which can help determine if a third-party program is causing the problem.

2. How do I fix the Registry Editor not working?

To fix a Registry Editor that is not working, try running the SFC and DISM utilities, which can help repair damaged system files. You can also try performing a clean boot or restoring the registry from a previous restore point.

3. How do you locate keys and their values in the registry?

To locate keys and their values in the registry, open the Registry Editor by typing «regedit» into the search bar and pressing Enter. Then, use the search function or navigate through the folders to find the key or value you are looking for. You can also look for specific keys or values in the registry using online resources.

Обновлено: 21.09.2017
Опубликовано: 06.06.2017

Тематические термины: Windows, реестр

На компьютере с несколькими пользователями, система после перезагрузки требует выбрать нужного пользователя и ввести его пароль. В некоторых случаях, необходимо автоматизировать этот процесс.

Данная инструкция подходит для всех систем Windows, начиная от Windows XP (как для настольных систем, так и серверных).

Подготовка пользователя и рекомендации по безопасности

Задайте пароль для учетной записи пользователя, под которым будет выполняться вход в систему. Без пароля автоматический вход работать не будет.

Задайте минимальные права, достаточные для выполнения задач. Не рекомендуется использовать пользователя с правами администратора, так как логин и пароль хранятся в открытом виде в реестре, что упрощает злоумышлинникам процесс взлома системы.

Настройка с помощью реестра

Открываем реестр (в командной строке вводим regedit) и переходим по ветке:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon

Создаем ключи со следующими значениями:

* некоторые ключи уже могут быть созданы — тогда их нужно отредактировать.

Получится, примерно, следующее:

Через групповую политику (GPO)

Специальной ветки для настройки автоматического входа через групповую политику нет, но есть возможность настроить через политику реестр.

Создаем нужную политику с произвольным названием и переходим к ее редактированию.

Переходим по ветке Конфигурация компьютера (Computer Confoguration) — Настройка (Preferences) — Конфигурация Windows (Windows Settings) — Реестр (Registry).

Кликаем правой кнопкой мыши по Реестр — Создать — Элемент реестра. Заполняем данные:

Для остальных ключей повторяем процедуру.

Из командной строки

Из командной строки мы также будем редактировать реестр.

На всякий случай, удаляем следующие ключи (команды на редактирование нет):

reg delete «HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon» /v DefaultUserName /f

reg delete «HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon» /v DefaultPassword /f

reg delete «HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon» /v AutoAdminLogon /f

* Если получим ошибку ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value, значит удаляемого ключа нет — все в порядке, идем дальше.

Создаем ключи следующими командами:

reg add «HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon» /v DefaultUserName /t REG_SZ /d Autostarter

reg add «HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon» /v DefaultPassword /t REG_SZ /d Password

reg add «HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon» /v AutoAdminLogon /t REG_SZ /d 1

* где Autostarter — имя учетной записи, от которой будет выполняться вход; Password — пароль для входа в систему от учетной записи Autostarter; 1 — значение для включения автоматического входа в систему.