"Use the 'new' keyword to create an object instance" error in VB .Net

Question

I am getting this error "use the 'new' keyword to create an object instance. (Object reference not set to an instance of an object.) " I checked similar questions on this forum but could not find a satisfactory answer. what I am trying to achieve is import string value of 1 into registry subkey HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MyApp\TEST

What I noted during Debugging is that "regkey" appears to be set to Null at all the lines where it is used. I am setting

regkey = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MyApp\TEST", True)

, still not sure why its value is not picked up by program.

How do I implement New keyword to create an object instance ? I am using "Imports Microsoft.Win32" at the top level in program.

 Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs)  Handles Button1.Click
   Dim regkey As RegistryKey
   regkey = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MyApp\TEST", True)
   regkey.SetValue("TEST", "1", RegistryValueKind.String)
   regkey.close()
 End Sub

Well, you try to open a subkey of HKEY_CURRENT_USER with Registry.LocalMachine and I bet this gives back a null reference — Steve
– Steve, Commented Jul 14, 2014 at 13:52

Heinzi · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-14 13:52:37Z

2

You are trying to open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HKEY_CURENT_USER\Software\MyApp\TEST, which does not exist. Hence, RegistryKey.OpenSubKey returns null (Nothing).

You should

fix your code (Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\...") will probably do what you want), and
add a null check (If regkey Is Nothing Then ...) between lines 2 and 3 that handles the problem gracefully.

answered Jul 14, 2014 at 13:52

Heinzi

173k61 gold badges386 silver badges554 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

3 Comments

DK2014 Over a year ago

Hi Heinzi, and Steve, thanks for showing me the mistake. I revised as per your instruction and the registry was imported..

DK2014 Over a year ago

Hi Heinzi, and Steve, thanks for showing me the mistake. I revised as per your instruction and the registry was imported.. [CODE] Dim regKey As RegistryKey regKey = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey("Software\Software\MyApp\TEST", True) regKey.SetValue("TEST", "1", RegistryValueKind.String) regKey.Close() [/CODE] Heinzi, Like you mentioned I will also add the null check just in case.

user3525511 Over a year ago

If Heinzi solved your issue, please mark the answer. It helps others finding similar solutions...among other things.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

"Use the 'new' keyword to create an object instance" error in VB .Net

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related