Hello! I'm trying to create a batch file that will parse through a "foo.reg" file to create a new "bar.reg" file. Here's an example of a "foo.reg" file: --- Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\AVG8_TRAY] "item"="AVG8_TRAY" "command"="C:\\PROGRA~1\\AVG\\AVG8\\avgtray.exe" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\LightScribe Control Panel] "item"="LightScribe Control Panel" "command"="C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\LightScribe\\LightScribeControlPanel.exe -hidden" "hkey"="HKEY_CURRENT_USER" "key"="Run" --- ...and here's how I would like the output "bar.reg" file to look: --- Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] "AVG8_TRAY"="C:\\PROGRA~1\\AVG\\AVG8\\avgtray.exe" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] "LightScribe Control Panel"="C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\LightScribe\\LightScribeControlPanel.exe -hidden" --- I have a VERY basic understanding, but just can't translate it into a batch file. - ignore what is in the brackets [] including the brackets themselves - for every instance of "hkey"="HKLM", output [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] - for every instance of "hkey"="HKEY_CURRENT_USER", output [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] - on the next line, output the string that after "item"= (with the quotes) and make it equal to the string that is after "command"= (with the quotes) Any input would be greatly appreciated!

hmm... Seems like the "item"= bit is BEFORE the "hkey"= ; isn't it? ===================================== If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

Yes. I see that as being a bit of a problem since I can only see the batch file iterating through the .reg file one line at a time from the beginning of the file to the end of the file. Would a VBScript be more suitable?

Is the file strictly as posted, ie a title and blocks of 5 lines each separated by blanks? ===================================== If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

I wish I could attach the file. I've copy and pasted it without any formatting below, but there are line breaks where there shouldn't be. Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "item"="Adobe Reader Speed Launcher" "command"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Adobe\\Reader 8.0\\Reader\\Reader_sl.exe\"" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\AdobeUpdater] "item"="AdobeUpdater" "command"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Adobe\\Updater5\\AdobeUpdater.exe\"" "hkey"="HKEY_CURRENT_USER" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\amBX Daemon] "item"="amBX Daemon" "command"="\"C:\\Program Files\\amBX\\Control Panel\\amBXDaemon.exe\"" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\amBX System Tray Application] "item"="amBX System Tray Application" "command"="C:\\Program Files\\amBX\\Gaming FXGen\\win32\\amBXFxGen.exe" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\AVG8_TRAY] "item"="AVG8_TRAY" "command"="C:\\PROGRA~1\\AVG\\AVG8\\avgtray.exe" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\EKIJ5000StatusMonitor] "item"="EKIJ5000StatusMonitor" "command"="C:\\WINDOWS\\System32\\spool\\DRIVERS\\ W32X86\\3\\EKIJ5000MUI.exe" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\EVEMon] "item"="EVEMon" "command"="\"C:\\Program Files\\EVEMon\\EVEMon.exe\" - startMinimized" "hkey"="HKEY_CURRENT_USER" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Launch LCDMon] "item"="Launch LCDMon" "command"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Logitech\\LCD Manager\\lcdmon.exe\"" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Launch LGDCore] "item"="Launch LGDCore" "command"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Logitech\\G-series Software\\LGDCore.exe\" /SHOWHIDE" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\LightScribe Control Panel] "item"="LightScribe Control Panel" "command"="C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\LightScribe\\LightScribeControlPanel.exe -hidden" "hkey"="HKEY_CURRENT_USER" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Logitech Hardware Abstraction Layer] "item"="Logitech Hardware Abstraction Layer" "command"="KHALMNPR.EXE" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\NvCplDaemon] "item"="NvCplDaemon" "command"="RUNDLL32.EXE C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\NvMediaCenter] "item"="NvMediaCenter" "command"="RUNDLL32.EXE C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\NVMixerTray] "item"="NVMixerTray" "command"="\"C:\\Program Files\\NVIDIA Corporation\\NvMixer\\NVMixerTray.exe\"" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\SmartGuardian] "item"="SmartGuardian" "command"="C:\\Program Files\\ITE\\Smart Guardian\\ITESmart.exe" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\SoundMan] "item"="SoundMan" "command"="SOUNDMAN.EXE" "hkey"="HKLM" "key"="Run" Basically: Line 1[...] Line 2"item"="..." Line 2"command"="..." Line 3"hkey"="..." Line 4"key"="..." Hope this helps!

Best bet is to ZIP it up and use: www.sendthisfile.com ===================================== If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2