Windows 64bit and the TS Shadow Registry Key
Before we get in depth with the particulars of what this blog post is about, it might be a good idea to review what a TS Shadow Registry Key is. In a nutshell, the shadow key keeps up with any keys added to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software during an application install. Since Terminal Services is multi user and HKCU refers only to the current user, a mechanism needs to be in place to distribute these keys to other users when they log on. That is the job of the shadow registry key. The shadow registry key is located at HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Window NT\CurrentVersion\Terminal Server\Install and holds copies of all the necessary keys to distribute. That is what the shadow registry key does in a nutshell - for a more detailed explanation, check out Brian Madden’s article on this topic.
With the introduction of Windows 64 bit and Windows-on-Windows 64 (WoW64), there are some changes to the shadow registry key. For instance, the shadow registry key location for 32 bit applications is located at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Terminal Server\Install (64 bit applications are stored in the key mentioned above). There is also a merge mechanism in place when settings conflict. Nicholas Dille has explained the changes in an article titled “Shadow Keys on Windows x64″.
Technorati : 64 bit, Install Mode, Shadow Key, Shadow Registry, Terminal Services, Windows
Del.icio.us : 64 bit, Install Mode, Shadow Key, Shadow Registry, Terminal Services, Windows
Ice Rocket : 64 bit, Install Mode, Shadow Key, Shadow Registry, Terminal Services, Windows
