REG_SZ and REG_MULTI_SZ

In Windows Registry, REG_SZ and REG_MULTI_SZ are two common data types used for storing different kinds of information.

1. REG_SZ:

• Description:

  • REG_SZ (String Value) is a simple string data type. It is used to store a single, readable text string.

  • It is one of the most commonly used types in the registry for configuration values like file paths, environment variables, or other textual data.

• Examples of Usage:

  • Storing file paths: C:\Program Files\ExampleApp

  • Storing application version: 1.0.0

• Registry Example:

  • A key might look like this:

    "ApplicationPath" = REG_SZ "C:\Program Files\MyApp"

2. REG_MULTI_SZ:

• Description:

  • REG_MULTI_SZ (Multiple String Value) is used to store multiple strings in a single value. It can be thought of as an array of strings. Each string is separated by a null (\0) character, and the entire list is terminated with an additional null character.

  • It is useful for storing lists of items such as multi-line text, environment variables, or multiple file paths.

• Examples of Usage:

  • Storing a list of search paths.

  • Storing a list of DNS server IP addresses.

• Registry Example:

  • A key might look like this:

    "SearchPaths" = REG_MULTI_SZ "C:\Path1\0C:\Path2\0C:\Path3\0"

Differences Between REG_SZ and REG_MULTI_SZ:

• Data Type: REG_SZ holds a single string, while REG_MULTI_SZ holds a list of strings.

• Usage: REG_SZ is used for simple single-value strings (like file paths or text data), while REG_MULTI_SZ is useful for when you need to store multiple values in a single registry entry (like lists of search paths or environment variables).