Error Accessing the Registry: 5 Ways to Allow Access Again

Registry Editor is one of the most critical error-resolving components on Windows PC. However, some users report a frustrating error accessing the registry when merging files using Regedit.

While various factors can cause this problem, it is usually straightforward to fix. And we will show you how to do it in this guide.

Why do I get an error accessing the registry?

Below are some of the factors that can cause the error accessing the registry prompt:

• Corrupt system files: If you are facing an error accessing the system registry on Windows 10, it might be because of corrupt files. The solution to this is to repair these corrupt system files.
• Lack of administrative privileges: Sometimes, this problem can be down to a lack of proper privileges to merge the file you are working on. You need to access Regedit as an admin to fix this.

How can I fix an error accessing the registry on Windows 10?

1. Import registry file as admin

1. Press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys to open the Registry Editor as an admin.
   
2. Click the Yes button when the UAC page shows up.
3. Now, click File > Import.
   
4. Navigate to the location of the file you are trying to merge and select it.
5. Finally, click the Open button to merge it with your registry.
   

If you are getting an error accessing the registry prompt while trying to merge a file with your registry, it is likely due to a lack of administrative privilege. Following the steps above will give you all the rights you need to operate.

2. Run an SFC scan

1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
   
2. When Command Prompt opens, type the command below and hit Enter: sfc /scannow
3. Then, finally, wait for the command to finish running and restart your computer.

If you are troubled by the error accessing the registry prompt, you are likely dealing with corrupt system files on your PC. The SFC scan is one of the most effective built-in tools to fix this.

So, you need to run the scan and wait for your PC to fix the issues.

As an automatic alternative, you can try specialized repair software to fix your device automatically by replacing damaged files with healthy parts from its immense database.

3. Use Group Policy Editor

1. Press the Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and click OK.
   
2. Navigate to the path below in the left pane: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System
3. Now, double-click Prevent access to registry editing tools to open it
   
4. Tick the Disabled or Not configured radio button and click OK to save the changes.
   
5. Finally, restart your PC

In some cases, the error accessing the ole registry might be because you are not permitted to use the Registry Editor editing tools. You can fix this by making the necessary changes in the Group Policy Editor.

4. Enable Regedit manually.

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the run utility.
2. Now, copy and paste the following command: REG add HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
3. Finally, click the OK button.
   

Aside from using the Group Policy Editor to enable permission to use the Registry Editor editing tools, you can do it manually without opening Regedit.

This requires you to use the Run utility, as shown above. With this, you should be able to eliminate the error accessing the registry prompt.

5. Perform a system restore

1. Press the Windows key + R, type rstrui.exe, and click OK.
   
2. Click the Next button on the page that pops up.
   
3. Now, select a restore point and click the Next button.
   
4. Finally, click the Finish button to confirm the action and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
   

If the problem persists, you need to restore your system to an older restore point. This will eliminate the changes you have made to your PC that might prevent you from merging your files.

That’s about it; we hope at least one of these workarounds proved helpful in resolving the error accessing the registry issues in Windows 10.

If you can’t edit your registry in Windows 10, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly.

Please let us know in the comments below if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions.