Last updated on October 19th, 2020
If you try to import a registry (.reg) file and you receive the error “Registry Editor: Cannot Import .reg file. Not all data was successfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other process, or you have insufficient privileges to perform this operation”, then continue reading this tutorial to resolve the problem.
How to FIX: Unable to Merge Registry File Due to Insufficient Privileges in Windows 10/8/7 OS.
The Registry Editor error “Cannot Import REG file…some keys are open by the system or other process, or you have insufficient privileges to perform this operation”, appears because you try to modify a system-protected registry key. To bypass this problem, follow one of the methods below.*
* Notes:
Always back up the Registry before making any changes to it.
1.
2.
To bypass the “Access Denied” problem when modifying/editing the registry read these tutorials:
Method 1. Import the Registry File in Safe Mode.
The first and easiest method to bypass the “insufficient permissions” problem in the registry editor, is to import the registry (.reg) file in Windows Safe Mode.To do that:
1.
Press
Windows
+
R
keys to load the
Run
dialog box.
2.
Type
msconfig
and press
Enter
.
3.
Click the
Boot
tab and then check the
Safe Boot
option.
4.
Click
OK
and
restart
your computer.
5.
In Safe Mode, double click at the registry (.reg) file to merge it into the Registry, or import the .reg file from the Registry Editor’s
File
menu ->
Import
.
6.
When done, open
the System Configuration utility again and uncheck the ”
Safe Boot
” option to boot to Windows normally.
Method 2. Import Registry (.reg) file with Registrar Registry Manager.
The second method to bypass the “Cannot import registry file” problem, is to use the
Registrar Registry Manager
tools. The Registrar Registry Manager is an advanced and complete suite of tools that allows you to safely maintain your local registry as well as the registries on the systems of your network.
To import a .reg file with the Registrar Registry Manager:
1.
Download and install the Registrar Registry Manager from
here
.
2.
When the installation is complete, open the program and click
Home Edition
.
3.
In Registrar Registry Manager, under the ‘Registry’ window, click the
File
menu & select
Import
.
4.
Select the Registry file, you want to import and click
Open
.
That’s it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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