In Windows PowerShell, there is a PSProvider called Registry. By default, it gives you access to two registry hives.
PS C:\> Get-PSDrive -PSProvider Registry
Name Used (GB) Free (GB) Provider Root CurrentLocation
---- --------- --------- -------- ------------------
HKCU Registry HKEY_CURRENT_USER
HKLM Registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
There are actually 5 registry hives.
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- HKEY_USERS
- HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
According to Microsoft, here are their intended purposes in life. (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986)
| Folder/predefined key | Description |
| HKEY_CURRENT_USER | Contains the root of the configuration information for the user who is currently logged on. The user's folders, screen colors, and Control Panel settings are stored here. This information is associated with the user's profile. This key is sometimes abbreviated as "HKCU." |
| HKEY_USERS | Contains all the actively loaded user profiles on the computer. HKEY_CURRENT_USER is a subkey of HKEY_USERS. HKEY_USERS is sometimes abbreviated as "HKU." |
| HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | Contains configuration information particular to the computer (for any user). This key is sometimes abbreviated as "HKLM." |
| HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT | Is a subkey of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software. The information that is stored here makes sure that the correct program opens when you open a file by using Windows Explorer. This key is sometimes abbreviated as "HKCR." Starting with Windows 2000, this information is stored under both the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_CURRENT_USER keys. The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes key contains default settings that can apply to all users on the local computer. The HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes key contains settings that override the default settings and apply only to the interactive user. The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT key provides a view of the registry that merges the information from these two sources. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT also provides this merged view for programs that are designed for earlier versions of Windows. To change the settings for the interactive user, changes must be made under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes instead of under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. To change the default settings, changes must be made under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes. If you write keys to a key under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, the system stores the information under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes. If you write values to a key under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, and the key already exists under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes, the system will store the information there instead of under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes. |
| HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG | Contains information about the hardware profile that is used by the local computer at system startup. |
The registry provider gives you access to the three unlisted hives: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, HKEY_USERS, and HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG. You just have to manually create a drive to them.
New-PSDrive -PSProvider registry -Root HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT -Name HKCR
New-PSDrive -PSProvider registry -Root HKEY_USERS -Name HKU
New-PSDrive -PSProvider registry -Root HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG -Name HKCC
Once you do, you will have access to these hives just the two default drives the registry provider gives you.
PS C:\> Get-PSDrive -PSProvider Registry
Name Used (GB) Free (GB) ProviderRoot
---- --------- --------- -------- ----
HKCC Registry HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
HKCR Registry HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
HKCU Registry HKEY_CURRENT_USER
HKLM Registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
HKU Registry HKEY_USERS
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