[2005] retrieving a file path from the registry

[sdk1985]

I searched the forums and msdn but especially the last didnt help me much.
I want a simple retrieval of the installation location of another program. I look up the url and it's: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FTDv3.7.3

I tried putting in the RegGetValue() and LONG RegQueryValueEx() but those aren't recognized by VS 2005. Then I searched the forums and found something like this:

Dim thekey = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\FTDv3.7.3").GetValue("Standaard")
MsgBox(thekey)

but there is a problem with the last part, getvalue isnt correct and the original poster used setvalue but I do not want to set. The error is that i get an empty msgbox.

I use (Standaard) because that is what the name of the first and only REG_SZ is. But that's dutch for default so I guess I need something else.

I hope someone is willing to help although you probably think I should search harder, but really cant find the answhere:S.
Thanks in advance.

[Negative0]

Are you sure there is supposed to be 2 As in standard?

I just tried your line of code against a registry value and it got me the value back.

[sdk1985]

Are you sure there is supposed to be 2 As in standard?

I just tried your line of code against a registry value and it got me the value back.

I just edited my message 1 second ago, saw it too late sorry.
It's dutch for default. I double clicked and it has no name in the upperbox.
I'm not sure if this is the right translation but it says after double click:
Valuename: (and then grey/nothing)
Valuedata: D:\Program Files\FTDv3.7.2 (editable)

[Negative0]

Also, you should declare your variables as a type and use the MessageBox.Show function instead of msgbox.

Dim thekey As String = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\MyCompany\MySoftware").GetValue("MyRegString")
        MessageBox.Show(thekey)

[sdk1985]

Also, you should declare your variables as a type and use the MessageBox.Show function instead of msgbox.

Dim thekey As String = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\MyCompany\MySoftware").GetValue("MyRegString")
        MessageBox.Show(thekey)

Thanks. The final solution is easier then I thought:

Dim thekey As String = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\\FTDv3.7.3").GetValue("")
MessageBox.Show(thekey)

I just used "" to represent the empty name and it works.

[Negative0]

Ahh, so its the default registry key. Try using:

.GetValue("")

[sdk1985]

Could you also help me with the application?

Dim thekey As String = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\\FTDv3.7.3").GetValue("")

OpenFileDialog1.InitialDirectory(thekey)

error: property acces must assign to the property or use its value.

[Negative0]

The error is telling you that you need to assign to the property (i.e. it is not a method)

OpenFileDialog1.InitialDirectory = thekey

[sdk1985]

The error is telling you that you need to assign to the property (i.e. it is not a method)

OpenFileDialog1.InitialDirectory = thekey

Ok thanks, my final question about registry keys for now:
how can I check if the registry key exists, according to the intelligent vb 2005 system there is no exist method.
I think I cannot use

If Microsoft.Win32.Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\\FTDv3.7.3").Equals "" is false then...

because the first name is empty but it does exist.

The reason I would like to know is that it's possible that a feature user starts up the application without having that registry string in it's register. It will probably crash now if that happens because I'm trying to set the default directory of the openfiledialog to that location immediately at the form load.

[Negative0]

The MSDN has a good bit of info on reading from the registry:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/lib...ta(VS.80).aspx

[bobdabilder]

The exist method would look like

regVersion = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced", True)
            If regVersion Is Nothing Then
                'key doesn't exist, create it.