GetStringValue method of the StdRegProv class

The GetStringValue method returns the data value for a named value whose data type is REG_SZ.

This topic uses Managed Object Format (MOF) syntax. For more information about using this method, see Calling a Method.

Syntax

uint32 GetStringValue(
  [in]  uint32 hDefKey = HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE,
  [in]  string sSubKeyName,
  [in]  string sValueName,
  [out] string sValue
);

Parameters

hDefKey [in]

A registry tree, also known as a hive, that contains the sSubKeyName path. The default value is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

The following trees are defined in WinReg.h.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (2147483648)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER (2147483649)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (2147483650)

HKEY_USERS (2147483651)

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (2147483653)

Return value

In C++, the method returns a uint32 value that is 0 (zero) if successful. If the function fails, the return value is a nonzero error code that is defined in WinError.h. In C++, use the FormatMessage function with the FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM flag to get a generic description of the error. You can also look up return values under the WMI Error Constants.

In scripting or Visual Basic, the method returns an integer value that is 0 (zero) if successful. If the function fails, the return value is a nonzero error code that you can look up in WbemErrorEnum.

Remarks

The majority of registry values that hold useful information for a system administrator are made up of either alphanumeric characters (REG_SZ) or numbers (REG_DWORD). String values in the registry are often clearly interpretable words, such as the name of a component manufacturer. Registry values of other types, like binary values, cannot be interpreted quite so readily.

You can read REG_SZ and REG_DWORD values by using the GetStringValue and the GetDWORDValue methods, respectively.

Examples

The List Installed Applications on 32- or 64-Bit Computers VBScript code sample queries the registry for installed applications on either 32-bit or 64-bit systems.

The following VBScript sample returns a list of startup scripts displayed on a per-Group Policy Object (GPO) basis.

Const HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE = &H80000002 
 
strComputer = "." 
  
Set oReg=GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & _  
    strComputer & "\root\default:StdRegProv") 
  
strKeyPath = "Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\Scripts\Startup" 
oReg.EnumKey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, strKeyPath, arrSubKeys 
  
For Each subkey In arrSubKeys 
    strValueName  = "DisplayName" 
    strGUIDVName  = "GPOName" 
    strFullKeyPath = strKeyPath & "\" & subkey 
    oReg.GetStringValue HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, strFullKeyPath, strValueName, szValue  
    oReg.GetStringValue HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, strFullKeyPath, strGUIDVName, szGPOName  
    wScript.Echo "Name and GUID of GPO deploying Startup Script = " & szValue & _ 
        "    " & szGPOName 
 
    oReg.EnumKey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, strFullKeyPath, arrGPOSubKeys 
    For Each Scriptsubkey in arrGPOSubkeys 
        ' Script and parameters under subkeys 
        strScript = "Script" 
        strParam  = "Parameters" 
        strScriptKeyPath = strFullKeyPath & "\" & Scriptsubkey 
        oReg.GetStringValue HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, strScriptKeyPath, strScript, szScript  
        oReg.GetStringValue HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, strScriptKeyPath, strParam,  szParam  
        wScript.Echo "   Shutdown script = " & szScript 
        wScript.Echo "   Script Parameters = " & szParam 
        wScript.Echo "    " 
    Next 
Next

Requirements

See also

StdRegProv

Modifying the System Registry

WMI Tasks: Registry