Getting Data In

Monitoring specific keys in the registry

heathramos
Path Finder

I had the default registry monitoring turned on for our desktops for a day but it used way too much of our license so I had to disable it.

I am interested in monitoring a few keys but I am unclear on how to fill out the hive portion within the inputs.conf file.

Example of the keys I might monitor:

  1. REGISTRY: Watch for the creation or modification of new registry keys and values a. 4657 – Accesses: WriteData (or AddFile) i. HKLM, HKCU & HKU – Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
  2. Run, RunOnce ii. HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
  3. Watch AppInit_Dlls iii. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\EMDMgmt
  4. Watch Connection time of USB Devices iv. HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services
  5. Watch for NEW Services v. HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USBSTOR
  6. Watch for NEW USB devices
0 Karma

xavierashe
Contributor

Here are a few examples that I run. For HKCU, you have to use this format:

[WinRegMon://hkcu_run1]
disabled = 0
hive = \\REGISTRY\\USER\\.*\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Policies\\Explorer\\Run\\.*
proc = .*
type = set|create|delete|rename
index = windows

For HKLM you use MACHINE:

[WinRegMon://hklm_run1]
disabled = 0
hive = \\REGISTRY\\MACHINE\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Policies\\Explorer\\Run\\.*
proc = .*
type = set|create|delete|rename
index = windows

You don't need to add stanzas for HKU, because your HKCU stanzas will suffice.

AaronMoorcroft
Communicator

Hi,

Can you advise how you can monitor multiple Reg Keys in the same stanza ?

Thank you

0 Karma
Got questions? Get answers!

Join the Splunk Community Slack to learn, troubleshoot, and make connections with fellow Splunk practitioners in real time!

Meet up IRL or virtually!

Join Splunk User Groups to connect and learn in-person by region or remotely by topic or industry.

Get Updates on the Splunk Community!

Design, Compete, Win: Submit Your Best Splunk Dashboards for a .conf26 Pass

Hello Splunkers,  We’re excited to kick off a Splunk Dashboard contest! We know that dashboards are a primary ...

May 2026 Splunk Expert Sessions: Security & Observability

Level Up Your Operations: May 2026 Splunk Expert Sessions Whether you are refining your security posture or ...

Network to App: Observability Unlocked [May & June Series]

In today’s digital landscape, your environment is no longer confined to the data center. It spans complex ...