# How to Configure Registry Settings for Computers

Last Updated On: 04 Jul 2026  
6 minutes read

The Registry Settings allows you to change the values in the registry in the workstations. The Registry Settings Configuration enables you to modify the registry values from a central location.

## Step 1: Name the Configuration

Provide a name and description for the Registry Settings Configuration.

## Step 2: Define Configuration

You can perform the following actions:

- [Write Value](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/configuring_registry_settings-computer.html#write)
- [Delete Value](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/configuring_registry_settings-computer.html#delete)
- [Add Key](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/configuring_registry_settings-computer.html#add)
- [Delete Key](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/configuring_registry_settings-computer.html#key)

### Write Value

To write a value to the registry, select the **Action** as *Write Value* and specify the following:

| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Header Key | Select the header key or hive as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. |
| Key | Keys are sub-components of the hives. Specify the key value. |
| Type | The type of the value. This varies with respect to the Header Key selected. Select the appropriate type from the combo box. |
| Value* | Specify the value to be added. |
| Data / Expression* | Specify the data or expression. If the new value has to be created without data, enter the word clear inside the parentheses as (clear). |

\* Click the icon below to select and assign a [dynamic variable](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/dynamic_variables-misc.html) to this parameter.

![dyn_var](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/dyn_var.webp)

#### Example

To set the **NoAutoUpdate** value to **1** under **HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate**

![write-value-to-registry](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configurations/write-value-registry.webp)

**Note**: When adding a value to the Registry, if the specified subkey path does not exist, it will be automatically created.

If **WindowsUpdate** or **AU** does not exist, they will be created.

If you wish to write more values, click **Add More Registry Settings** button and repeat step 2. The values gets added to the **Registry Settings** table.

### Delete Value

To delete a value from the registry, select the **Action** as *Delete Value* and specify the following values:

| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Header Key | Select the header key or hive as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. |
| Key | Keys are sub-components of the hives. Specify the key value. |
| Value | Specify the value to be deleted. |

#### Example

To delete **NoAutoUpdate** under **HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate**

![delete-value-from-registry](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/delete-value-from-registry.webp)

If you wish to delete more values, click **Add Registry Settings** button and repeat step 2. The values gets added to the **Registry Settings** table.

### Add Key

To add a registry key, select the **Action** as *Add Key* and specify the following:

| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Header Key | Select the header key or hive as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. |
| Key | Keys are sub-components of the hives. Specify the key value to be added. |

#### Example

To add key **SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU** under **HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE**

![add-registry-key](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/add-registry-key.webp)

If you wish to add more keys, click **Add Registry Settings** button and repeat step 2. The values gets added to the **Registry Settings** table.

### Delete Key

To delete a registry key, select the **Action** as *Delete Key* and specify the following values:

| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Header Key | Select the header key or hive as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. |
| Key | Keys are sub-components of the hives. Specify the key value that has to be deleted. |

#### Example

To delete key **SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU** under **HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE**

![delete-registry-key](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/delete-registry-key.webp)

If you wish to delete more keys, click **Add Registry Settings** button and repeat step 2. The values gets added to the **Registry Settings** table.

To modify a registry setting from the **Registry Settings** table, select the appropriate row and click the icon below and change the required values.

![modify](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/device-onboarding/modify.webp)

To delete a registry setting from the **Registry Settings** table, select the appropriate row and click the icon below.

![delete](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/delete.webp)

### Import Value

To import a registry key value, click **Import** and select the registry file.

#### Example

To import key **SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU** under **HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE** with the value **NoAutoUpdate=1**

![import-registry-value](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/import-registry-value.webp)

## Step 3: Define Target

Using the [Defining Targets](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/general/defining_targets.html) procedure, define the targets for deploying the Registry Settings Configuration.

## Step 4: Deploy Configuration

Click the **Deploy** button to deploy the defined Registry Settings Configuration in the targets defined. The configuration will take effect during the next system startup.

To save the configuration as draft, click **Save as Draft**.