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WCM_E_INVALIDKEY
WCM_E_INVALIDKEY is the failure HRESULT 0x8022001C (signed decimal -2145255396, unsigned decimal 2149711900). Its severity bit is 1, facility is 34 (FACILITY_STATE_MANAGEMENT), and the facility-specific code field is 0x001C.
AllStat records the Windows SDK description as “Member referenced by the key does not match the complexType definition.”
Documented meaning
The list key conflicts with the complexType definition. The operation reached parsing keyed-list metadata or resolving a path that selects a list element by key. The first branch to test is whether the key member name is misspelled; keep that separate from the possibility that metadata changed the complexType but retained the old key reference.
Operation phase
At this boundary, capture complexType declaration and its key definition, then correlate it with failing path or list-element declaration. Assign ownership only after checking member names and types on the target schema.
Root-cause branches
- the key member name is misspelled
- metadata changed the complexType but retained the old key reference
- a path selector uses a non-key member
- two schema fragments disagree about which member identifies the list element
Diagnostic record
- complexType declaration and its key definition
- failing path or list-element declaration
- member names and types on the target schema
- GetKeyValue output for existing elements
- source manifest versions contributing to the merged type
Correction workflow
- derive selectors from the current schema rather than hard-coding member names
- repair the key reference in the authoritative metadata
- migrate old list identities when the schema changes
- use CreateListElement/GetKeyValue for list-aware operations
- validate paths against the target image before applying changes
Retry policy
Retry after correcting the selector or schema. Changing only the key value does not fix a reference to the wrong member.
Nearby HRESULT distinctions
WCM_E_INVALIDPATH reports general syntax; WCM_E_KEYNOTCHANGEABLE protects an existing key value. INVALIDKEY says the selected member is not the declared key.
Concrete example
A DNS list schema uses “Name” as its key, while a generic tool constructs a selector using “Address”. The member exists but cannot identify the element.
Operational logging
For operational telemetry, retain member names and types on the target schema; also record GetKeyValue output for existing elements. Preserve a redacted summary of source manifest versions contributing to the merged type; use a cryptographic hash when that evidence is a file, stream, or generated artifact.
Preserve list identity semantics
Key members define list-element identity rather than ordinary payload. Diagnostic tooling should display the schema key separately from non-key members and from the encoded path selector.
Official Microsoft references.
- Microsoft: SMI error and success constants.
- Microsoft: Settings Management Infrastructure API.
- Microsoft: SMI interfaces.
- Microsoft: ISettingsItem::GetPath.
- Microsoft: ISettingsItem::RemoveSettingByPath.
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