Registry access in non-admin mode

Question

I\'ve several long-standing apps written in Delphi that persist their settings in the registry. I\'ve used HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE for \'hard\' settings such as configuration pre

Answer 1

Your options include (a) use an INI/XML config file in a location that doesn't require admin rights to access, or (b) modify the security on your own subkey in HKLM using a tool like SetACL (public domain).

The problem with option a is the change in folder arrangements between XP and Vista/W7. I believe Vista tightened up access to CSIDL COMMON APPDATA - standard users don't have write acess if memory serves. You may have to store them in your own folder and arrange access rights yourself. Annoying.

One interesting problem with option b is that there are now officious little tools in use in corporate environments that crawl the registry and "correct" access rights they think are wrong. We haven't encountered a problem with customers using these yet, but we are aware they exist. Given the performance of the registry, we still prefer the modified HKLM approach and will continue to do it for the foreseeable future.