batch processing registry values

[el_oso]

i frequently install windows OS into many computers, either through fixing mates, fixing my parents, fixing mine and whatever. everytime I change the registry values so that the program files folder, temp folder, user accounts folder and other non-vital systems folders are stored on a separate partition. that way if windows ever crashes badly or a piece of malware attacks a pc then all the users files and programs are safe (or safer) from being deleted. what ways would people suggest so that i can change all the registry values in one go. was thinking about creating a batch file or even saving a complete copy of the registry after i have edited once to my liking.
if i was to go down the batch file route how easy would it be to incorporate other features such as automatically installing all the common programs such as opera/chrome/firefox, office, skype etc etc.
i know that there is a program available for debian based linux systems (aptonCD) that allows you to recreate and OS disk with all your personal settings and programs all ready installed and configured.
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Duke 390
Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[Frost]

Have a look on download.cnet for some registry tools. there are a fair few that will let you take a backup of a registry incase it gets messed with. I think .nfo files contain registry changes so writing your own one of those might let you modify many values with a single click.

[el_oso]

well i've written my simple file with all my command prompt commands to change all the registry values i want. want to make this tool myself, as i am learning to program at the moment, so exercise like this can be useful for coding.
just trying to think of way in which i can write something that will be able to execute all the installers in a particular folder so that i don't have to install application after application
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Duke 390
Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[herulach]

I used to use nlite for unattended windows installs, and it will let you do all this. Basically burn a disk, boot it and do a complete unattended install.

This was with XP, I think they updated it for vista, but don't know about 7.

Google for SLipstreamed installs
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YBR 125>FZS600

[panrider_uk]

A slipstreamed install would do the job or you could use a vb script to make your registry changes and run the installers one by one.

Mark
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[TQ]

For the registry changes just use a .reg file.

Open regedit, and right click on the keys in question and click export.

Once you've done all of them open the files in a text editor and combine them into one.

For the software install I'd agree with nlite to create a slipstream install, you can even make it unattended and add drivers, service packs etc...
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First Bike :Gilera DNA 50 | Second: Imported 1989 NSR125
Third: 1998 Yamaha XJ600N | Currently: 1999 Yamaha FZS600

[Frost]

If you want to code a tool to run things in a sequence you define you can use a batch file:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batch_file

[el_oso]

cool, thanks for the help so far. last update for nlite was in 2008, so no windows 7 support i'm guessing.
read up about doing slipstreamed installs. really helped me create a simple script that i ran in command prompt to do all my registry changes.
unfortunately i have absolutely no knowledge of VB what so ever, and am therefore using simple command line code for moment. i may turn this into C/C++/Java project sometime as i am much more familar with these languages. Just never really done anything like this in any of these high level languages, as my knowledge of programming comes from mathematical bases problems, like numerical integration and the like
DaFrostyOne: that is exactly what i have done so far
karma all round
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Duke 390
Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[herulach]

Step by step on doing a windows 7 version here:
https://www.thewindows7site.com/forum/threads/14612-NEW-UPDATED-Walkthrough.-Create-Your-Own-Custom-Windows-7.iso?highlight=Custom

CBA signing up to download it, but looks like what you're after.
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YBR 125>FZS600

[Frost]

[panrider_uk]

[Frost]

Well the last time i touched VB is was just VB, not .NET, and it was bloody simple compared to the likes of C

[panrider_uk]

[Frost]

VB6 FTW!

I used C# not long ago, that was nice. I guess that is also part of .NET?

[TQ]

[Frost]

Ah okay, its was for an embedded device so it was the micro framework and not quite the same. These days i'm pretty deeply in love with python. It's just a shame it's such a ball ache on windows.

[Scooty]

I've done something similar with Java in the past, but I think there would be a better way to do it. As it was a massive PITA
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Current Bike: 2018 Honda CRF250L
Ex-Bikes: 2002 Honda CG125, 1998 Honda VFR800, 2011 Honda CBR600F, 2013 Triumph Sprint GT SE, 2015 Kawasaki ZX10R

[Wabby]

[panrider_uk]

What you really need is COBOL - none of this airy fairy object oriented malarkey

Mark
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[Frost]

Nah, LISP mate.

[TQ]

Brainfuck
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First Bike :Gilera DNA 50 | Second: Imported 1989 NSR125
Third: 1998 Yamaha XJ600N | Currently: 1999 Yamaha FZS600