Are registry entries language specific?

srod · Post by **srod** » Thu May 14, 2009 11:16 am

Hi,

I am hacking up some code to look in the registry to retrieve the default program associated with a file-type. Simple enough.

However, if a user changes the default program through Windows explorer, for example, then, well.. long story short, I have to examine the following registry key :

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pb

(this is an example for PB files).

I am wondering though if such entries are language specific? I mean there is no point me requesting this key from the registry if my program is running on a machine using German settings if those same keys are in German!

Could some kind German or French or Italian or Welsh soul please have a quick rummage through their registry at the aforementioned key to see if my fears are justified? I am particularly interested in the subkeys 'OpenWithList', 'OpenWithProgids' and 'UserChoice' (especially this last one!)

One part of me says that these keys should indeed be language specific, but another part of me says that this would lead to absolute chaos for apps trying to support multiple languages! Hence my belief (and hope) that all registry keys will be in English regardless!

Better safe than sorry though!

Thanks in advance.

gnozal · Post by **gnozal** » Thu May 14, 2009 12:29 pm

Hi Srod,

Imho such entries are not language specific.
For example, I also have subkeys like 'OpenWithList' or 'OpenWithProgids' in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\ using my french WinXP.

srod · Post by **srod** » Thu May 14, 2009 12:37 pm

gnozal wrote:Hi Srod,

Imho such entries are not language specific.
For example, I also have subkeys like 'OpenWithList' or 'OpenWithProgids' in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\ using my french WinXP.

Thanks Gnozal; that'll do me!

Fluid Byte · Post by **Fluid Byte** » Thu May 14, 2009 12:41 pm

srod, have you ever seen these registry paths in another language? Sure you don't because they are all identical. There are millions of tutorials and websites dealing with registry in any possible language and they all use the same keys. It's the same concept that now started with Windows Vista but with the difference that the registry never have been localized before, it was always English. So don't worry using that key, it's safe.

srod · Post by **srod** » Thu May 14, 2009 1:16 pm

Aye, the stuff I was reading on the web was a little misleading in places; particularly where Vista was concerned and the localised entries. As I say, better safe than sorry!