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STATUS_KEY_HAS_CHILDREN
Registry link keys must not be mixed with ordinary key contents
Registry symbolic links are represented by specially created source keys whose SymbolicLinkValue points to a target object name. The requested link cannot safely replace an ordinary key that already contains values or child keys, so the operation is rejected.
Do not delete existing contents merely to force link creation until ownership is established. The current key may hold real configuration, while a link source has different traversal and security implications and is normally created only by tightly controlled system code.
What to inspect
- Enumerate the existing subkeys and values before changing the key type.
- Confirm that REG_OPTION_CREATE_LINK was intentional.
- Verify the target object path and required REG_LINK value format.
- Create a new dedicated link key rather than repurposing a populated key.
References
- Microsoft Open Specifications: Registry Symbolic Links
- Microsoft Learn: RegCreateKeyEx
- Microsoft Learn: Registry Functions
- Microsoft Open Specifications: NTSTATUS values
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