Undeletable QuickTime Registry Key

I've been getting the same error message with the iTunes 6 installation as everyone else but found something that might be a cause for all these problems. In my registry, I found a key that I cannot open or delete. It looks like:

HKEY LOCALMACHINE\SOFTWARE\Apple Computer, Inc.\QuickTime\Installed Files\?

On my computer but clicking on it using regedt32 or regedit will say "Cannot open ?: Error while opening key." When I delete the registry key:
"HKEY LOCALMACHINE\SOFTWARE\Apple Computer, Inc.\QuickTime\Installed Files\" everything under there gets deleted except for the "?" key.

I tried registry cleaning software and it can't get rid of it. I strongly suspect that one of the QuickTime installs or even the iTunes 6 installation created this corrupted key.

Does anyone know how to get rid of such a key? Can anyone else confirm the same problem on their machine?

Posted on Oct 14, 2005 12:20 AM

20 replies

Otto42

Level 6

9,070 points

Nov 22, 2005 9:08 AM in response to Jkhasriya

Use REGEDT32.EXE instead of the normal REGEDIT.EXE. It's a little harder to use, but quite a bit more powerful. Also check the security settings on the key you're trying to delete and make sure you have the right access permissions.

Nov 22, 2005 1:50 PM in response to b noir

tried that already!
Nothing shows up on that.

Nov 22, 2005 1:51 PM in response to Otto42

no luck on regedt32 either mate!

CoJeff

Level 4

2,969 points

Nov 22, 2005 2:46 PM in response to Jkhasriya

You can try downloading this tool to clean out your registry. http://www.download.com/3000-2094-881470.html Its a cool little tool that will clean out your registry. What I like about the tool is it will create a .reg file with the entries it deletes that you can add back if they are needed. Now in the many years I've used this tool I never had to do that.

It doesn't list XP but I still use it at home and work. (both XPs)

I would say the most likely cause is rights. Try loging in as administrator or create a new user with administrator rights. I've noticed XP sometimes has problems if you add a user to the administrator group later after you've used the id for a while. You box should have a administrator account, so I'd try using that one.

Nov 23, 2005 8:34 AM in response to CoJeff

SOLUTION!
Apple have serious issues. Thought after all this downloading software-i'd try the older software that comes on the ipod CD. Cured everything including the registry key although now i have an older itunes which i dont want to dare to update!

Thanks for all your help guys-no more tinkering for me.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Undeletable QuickTime Registry Key