Each software component creates keys for its objects, counters when it is installed, and writes counter data while it is executing. You can access this data as you would access any other registry data, using the Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey functions.

Although you use the registry to collect performance data, the data is not stored in the registry database. Instead, accessing the registry with this key causes the system to collect the data from the appropriate system object managers.

To obtain performance data from the local system, use the RegistryKey.GetValue(string) method, with the Registry.PerformanceData key. The first call opens the key (you do not need to explicitly open the key first). However, be sure to use the RegistryKey.Close method to close the handle to the key when you are finished obtaining performance data. The user cannot install or remove a software component while its performance data is in use.

To obtain performance data from a remote system, you must use the RegistryKey.OpenRemoteBaseKey(RegistryHive, string) method, with the computer name of the remote system and the Registry.PerformanceData key. This call retrieves a key representing the performance data for the remote system. To retrieve the data, call RegistryKey.GetValue(string) using this key, rather than the Registry.PerformanceData key.

Namespace: Microsoft.Win32
Assembly: mscorlib (in mscorlib.dll)
Assembly Versions: 1.0.5000.0, 2.0.0.0, 4.0.0.0