Open KEY File

KEY Files and Windows Registry

If your system fails to handle the KEY extension, neither to open nor to edit it, nor to decompress it, and thus all the methods that we know of so far have failed, you are left with the option of manually editing the Windows registry. You should know that this should be the last resort, since an incorrect edit can irreversibly damage the Windows operating system. Windows registry stores all the information about the operation of the operating system, including the associations of file extensions with the programs to open.

All the operations carried out in the registry have a direct influence on the operation of your system, therefore, before any type of modification, it is highly recommended to make a backup copy of the record or section you intend to edit. The following instructions show, step by step, how to modify the registry, specifically the registry entry that contains information about a .KEY file.

Step by Step

• Press the "Start" Windows button
• In the 'Type here to search' window (in old versions of the Windows system it is the 'Run' window) enter the command 'regedit' and then confirm the operation with the 'Enter' key.
• This operation will run the system registry editor. This tool makes it easy not only to view existing entries, but also to manually modify, add or delete them. As the Windows system registry is essential for its operation, all operations have to be carried out prudently and knowing that an incorrect edit can damage operation of Windows OS.
• Using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F or the Edit menu and the 'Search' option, and search for the KEY extension you are interested in by typing it in the search window. Accept by clicking OK or using the ENTER key.
• Backup copy. It is very important to back up the registry before making any changes. Each change will influence the operation of your computer. In cases of an incorrect change, an erroneous modification of the registry can make functioning of Windows OS unstable.
• The extension value you are interested in can be edited by making manual changes to the keys associated with the found extension KEY. In this place you can also create the necessary entry with the extension KEY if it is not in the registry.
• After finishing editing the entry related to the KEY extension, close the system registry. The changes made will be applied after the operating system restarts.