HELP! I messed up my registry with regedit and now everything is "Windows cannot find 'anything'. Make sure you typed the name

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Durden11

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
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1,510
Okay, so I was attempting to upgrade to Windows 10 and was given an error. In researching the solution to this error I came across this solution:
"Type Windows Key + R and type Regedit” press Enter.
Locate the following
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
Right click on the value named ProgramFilesDir & change the default value C:\Program Files to the path you want to install all your programs in.
Click OK and Exit.
Restart the PC and try perform the update again."

In my haste I accidentally edited the ProgramFilesDir AND CommonFilesDir to D:\Program Files.

Now I can't even open regedit to change it back. I can't backup and restore either because EVERYTHING "can't be found." I even tried to boot from an old Windows XP boot disk (because I don't have my current OEM disk for Windows 7) and all I get is blue screen. I'm desperate. Someone please help!
 
Solution
USAFRet


OK, the assistive tech install will work.

Your old XP install not booting? That could simply be a bad DVD or USB.
In any case, that XP is irrelevant. You cannot Upgrade from XP to Win 10.
The Win 10 will be a full install on its own. You must boot from whatever Win 10 install thing you create.
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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:pfff::no:

At this point, just boot from your (hopefully valid) Windows 10 install media.
Install like that.
Or
Recover from the full drive image you made yesterday, before you started this. You do have a backup, right?

I don't know what you were trying to do in the Registry....but you have gone too far down the road to 'fix it'.
 
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Durden11

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
21
0
1,510
I don't have a valid Windows 10 install media because I was upgrading from my Windows 7. I don't have my Windows 7 disk because this is an OEM build version of Windows 7. I bought this computer from a guy, and didn't have the install disk. I cannot run backup to recover from the backup image because even the backup program from Control Panel doesn't execute.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
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Mar 16, 2013
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From a working system, create your own Windows 10 install USB or DVD
Here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

You've purchased a valid license key for this Win 10?
 
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Durden11

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
21
0
1,510
It was a free upgrade, so no I wasn't given a license key yet. It wouldn't complete due to an error (long story). I do have a valid XP version, disk, and key that I would like to install and then upgrade to Windows 10 for free, but it goes to bluescreen when attempting to boot from my XP disk. My concern is that even IF I go buy a brand new Windows 10 retail disk, I will still get the same bluescreen I'm getting from my Windows XP retail disk.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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The 'free upgrade' from Win 7 to Win 10 ran out in July 2016. It needed to be installed and activated before July 29.
What exactly were you installing/upgrading?

And there never was a free upgrade from XP to Win 10.
 
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Durden11

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
21
0
1,510
I have a recovery image saved to an external hard drive. Is there a way to boot from there and restore my system without having to execute any programs post-boot?
 
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Durden11

Commendable
Dec 22, 2016
21
0
1,510
It's the free upgrade for assistive technologies as I am hearing impaired. I am willing to purchase a retail copy if it is the only way to get a boot disk, but if my XP boot disk isn't working. what would lead me to believe a Windows 10 would?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,456
17,916
184,590


OK, the assistive tech install will work.

Your old XP install not booting? That could simply be a bad DVD or USB.
In any case, that XP is irrelevant. You cannot Upgrade from XP to Win 10.
The Win 10 will be a full install on its own. You must boot from whatever Win 10 install thing you create.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
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