sion 5.00

; Created by Guy Thomas
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Values"="settings"

 

Blank Lines

You need a blank line between each set of .reg paths.  There is also a blank line between the Registry Editor Version, and the first path.  There is no need for a blank line between individual entries for the same path.  (See first example in the blue table above.)

; Comments

If you create your own .reg file, then it is possible to place judicious comments by preceding that line with a semi-colon.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Created by Guy Thomas. Purpose to display the Build Number on the desktop
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"PaintDesktopVersion"=dword:00000001

 

; Created by Guy Thomas.  Purpose to display the Build Number on the desktop.

The Body of a .reg File

The registry is huge.  Consequently, one of the first lines in the .reg file is the path to the values you wish to merge.  Observe the [square brackets] which enclose the path, for example:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]

One .reg file can contain multiple paths.  For simplicity, I have truncated the exported .reg file (above) and not shown the second and third paths.  If you try this export experiment you will see zillions of Group Policy settings underneath:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\GPExtensions]

A plai