Batch Script Copying Registry Keys

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

Copying Registry Keys

Copying from the registry is done via the reg copy command.

Syntaxbatch

reg copy <keyname1> <keyname2> [/s] [/f]

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>.
/s copies all subkeys and entries under the specified subkey.
/f copies the subkey without prompting for confirmation.
/? displays help at the command prompt.

Examples

To copy all subkeys and values under the key MyApp to the key SaveMyApp, type:

reg copy HKLM\Software\MyCo\MyApp HKLM\Software\MyCo\SaveMyApp /s

To copy all values under the key MyCo on the computer named ZODIAC to the key MyCo1 on the current computer, type:

reg copy \\ZODIAC\HKLM\Software\MyCo HKLM\Software\MyCo1

To copy the contents from the location HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console into the location HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console\Test on the same machine, type:

reg copy HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console\Test