Are preexisting registry entries overwritten by installer?

[johnsoag]

I was wondering what happens when one creates a distribution installer that creates registry keys, but the keys already exist on the target computer when the installer is run.  Will the existing registry keys be changed, or will the installer skip them?

Thank you.

[menchar · Accepted solution]

I believe they get over-written.

You don't get file or component-based revision with the CVI distribution editor:  if the version of the installation is more recent than what was last used to install the application, it will overwrite everything in the distribution, even if later versions of individual components are present on the target.

More capable distribution tools (e.g. InstllShield) can give you the behavior you likely want.

I don't think individual registry entries carry a version on them:  normal practice is to use a different set of registry values for a newer version of the  application, not revised individual keys and values.

Menchar