The local machine registry is opened if machineName is string.Empty. The requested key must be a root key on the remote machine, and is identified by the appropriate Microsoft.Win32.RegistryHive value.

In order for a key to be opened remotely, both the server and client machines must be running the remote registry service, and have remote administration enabled.

On the 64-bit versions of Windows, portions of the registry are stored separately for 32-bit and 64-bit applications. There is a 32-bit view for 32-bit applications and a 64-bit view for 64-bit applications. If view is RegistryView.Registry64 but the remote machine is running a 32-bit operating system, the returned key will use the RegistryView.Registry32 view.