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When you try to import a registry (.reg) file by double-clicking it or using the Import option from Registry Editor, the following error occurs. As a consequence, the .reg file is not imported.
registry editor
Cannot import filename.reg: The specified file is not a registration script. You can only import binary log files from the registry editor.
The registry entry (.reg) file is used to add, modify, or delete registry entries. Registry Editor (regedit.exe) uses .reg files to import and export registry subkeys and values. You can use these .reg files to spread registry changes across multiple Windows computers. When you run a .reg file, the contents of the file are merged with the local registry.
Import the log file with administrator privileges
As several concerned users have indicated, there is a high chance that you are facing a privilege issue. The Registry Editor utility probably does not yet have sufficient privileges to merge the file. This is quite common on new installations of Windows where Registry Editor has not yet been opened.
Several users who had trouble fixing the same error message reported that the issue was finally resolved after opening Registry Editor with administrator privileges and using the Import menu to merge the files. Here's a quick guide on how to do this:
- Press Windows + R to open a Run dialog box. Then type “regedit” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Registry Editor with administrative privileges.
- At the UAC (User Account Control) prompt, select Yes to grant administrative privileges.
- From the ribbon at the top of the Registry Editor, go to File > Import.
- Use the Import menu to navigate to the location of the file you want to merge. Once there, select it and click Open to merge it with your current record.
Granting permissions on the registry
a) Click Start
b) In the regedit search field
(c) Go to "Editing and authorizations
d) Click on the Advanced tab and select Permissions
e) Select User/Group in the permission windows or click Add to add more users or groups.
f) In the "Permission" column, under "Permission", check the "Full Control" checkbox to grant full access rights.
g) Click OK for the changes to take effect and click OK to exit the properties window.
Take ownership of the record.
a) Click Start
b) In the regedit search field
(c) Go to "Editing and authorizations
d) Click on the Advanced tab and select the owner
e) Click the "Edit" button and select a user from the "Change Ownership" list if the user or group is not included in the specified list.
f) You can also provide full access by adding everything.
g) Click Other Users or Groups, type All in the field provided, and click OK.
h) Now select User/Group and click Apply and OK. Check Replace owners on subcontainers and items if you have files and folders in the chosen folder.
Click OK when the Windows security message appears.
The owner's name should have changed by now. Click OK to exit.
File format
Do not download or import log files from unknown or unsafe sources. In other words, stay away from shareware sites, torrents, and new or unknown sites. We are talking about system changes, and you should not take this lightly under any circumstances. Also make sure the file is in the correct format and ends with a .reg extension. Select the file, right-click on it and choose Properties from the context menu to confirm the amplitude.
blank line
Do you see the error "The specified file is not a recording script" when importing a recording file? Open the .reg file in Notepad or your favorite text editor and verify that the first line of the file is empty.
Delete the blank line, if it is there, save the file and try to import it again in Registry Editor. Do not attempt to change the code values in this registry unless you are sure.
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