Get-ItemProperty
Use Get-ItemProperty to read registry values from a key — or extended properties of files and folders — without opening regedit.
Documentation: Microsoft Learn — get-itemproperty
Syntax
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PowerShell example · browser support is limited.
Execution scope: The full example below requires PowerShell outside this browser. You can edit this runner to use the supported practice commands; unsupported syntax returns an explanation.
Examples
Read one registry value
Show reference output
Illustrative output · values vary by environment
ProgramFilesDir : C:\Program Files PSPath : Microsoft.PowerShell.Core\Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
Read every value under a key
Show reference output
Illustrative output · values vary by environment
Logon UserName : CONTOSO\priya
ShellState : {36, 0, 0, 0...}
CleanShutdown : 1Read the same value from many computers
Show reference output
Illustrative output · values vary by environment
Version PSComputerName ------- -------------- 2.4.1 SRV01 2.4.1 SRV02
Parameters
Parameter definitions:
-Path— The registry key path, using the HKLM: or HKCU: drive, or a file system path.-Name— The value name to read. Omit it to read all values under the key.-Filter— A wildcard filter applied to value names.-Include / -Exclude— Limits which items are processed when -Path uses wildcards.
Keys are folders, values are the data
The registry has two levels that beginners mix up: keys are like folders, and values are the named data inside them. Get-ItemProperty reads values. To list the subkeys instead, use Get-ChildItem on the key path.
Omitting -Name returns every value under the key, plus PowerShell's own PSPath, PSParentPath, and PSChildName properties. Pipe to Select-Object * -ExcludeProperty PS* when you want a clean table.
Reading HKLM: keys needs administrator rights for protected areas such as SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and the SAM hive. A read that silently returns nothing is usually a permissions problem, not an empty key.
Write registry values with Set-ItemProperty
List registry subkeys with Get-ChildItem
Updated 25 October 2026. Browser outputs are fictional; check the installed module help for your environment.
Recap
Get-ItemProperty Use Get-ItemProperty to read registry values from a key — or extended properties of files and folders — without opening regedit.
Next: Set Itemproperty