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Tutorial Reference

Batch Script Comparing Registry Keys

Learn how to use the reg compare command in Windows batch scripts to compare registry keys, values, and subkeys between local or remote computers with syntax examples.

Comparing Registry Keys

Comparing registry keys is done via the reg compare command.

Syntaxbatch
reg compare <keyname1> <keyname2> [{/v Valuename | /ve}] [{/oa | /od | /os | on}] [/s]

where:

  • <keyname1> specifies the full path of the subkey or entry to be added.
    • To specify a remote computer, include the computer name (in the format \\<computername>\) as part of the keyname. Omitting \\<computername>\ causes the operation to default to the local computer.
    • The keyname must include a valid root key. Valid root keys for the local computer are: HKLM, HKCU, HKCR, HKU, and HKCC. If a remote computer is specified, valid root keys are: HKLM and HKU.
    • If the registry key name contains a space, enclose the key name in quotes.
  • <keyname2> specifies the full path of the second subkey to be compared. It follows the same rules of <keyname1>.
  • /v <Valuename> specifies the value name to compare under the subkey.
  • /ve specifies that only entries that have a value name of null should be compared.
  • /oa specifies that all differences and matches are displayed. By default, only the differences are listed.
  • /od specifies that only differences are displayed. This is the default behavior.
  • /os specifies that only matches are displayed. By default, only the differences are listed.
  • /on specifies that nothing is displayed. By default, only the differences are listed.
  • /s compares all subkeys and entries recursively.
  • /? displays help at the command prompt.

Examples

To compare all values under the key MyApp with all values under the key SaveMyApp, type:

reg compare HKLM\Software\MyCo\MyApp HKLM\Software\MyCo\SaveMyApp

To compare the value for the Version under the key MyCo and the value for the Version under the key MyCo1, type:

reg compare HKLM\Software\MyCo HKLM\Software\MyCo1 /v Version

To compare all subkeys and values under HKLM\Software\MyCo on the computer named ZODIAC, with all subkeys and values under HKLM\Software\MyCo on the local computer, type:

reg compare \\ZODIAC\HKLM\Software\MyCo \\. /s
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